Brian Handler

Feature Layout & Environments Artist with 18 years of experience at Laika, Weta FX, and Blue Sky Studios. Primarily focused on Rough Layout, Set Assembly, Set Dressing, and Optimization/Tactics with Matte Painting and Comp know-how.

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  Lead Environment Artist

  Laika

  May 2024 - Present

  2 yrs

  Hillsboro, Oregon

  Wildwood

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  Sr. Layout TD

  Wētā FX

  Apr 2021 - Apr 2024

  3 yrs

  New York City Metropolitan Area · Remote

  She Hulk (Disney+)
  Black Adam (Feature)
  Avatar 2
  Guardians of the Galaxy 3
  TBD

  

  

  

  

  

  
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  Technical Director

  Blue Sky Studios

  Sep 2008 - Apr 2021

  12 yrs 7 mos

  Greenwich, Connecticut

  I work at Blue Sky Studios in the Assembly Department.
  
  We're a department of Maya artists and tool developers who specialize in set dressing and massive asset management. Our primary task is the creation of the CG environments in which our characters live and play throughout our films. This could be the messy interior of Bomba's house from Epic (2013) to the lush forests of Brazil (Rio 2012); our group's fine mix of set artistry and technical know-how allow us to effectively realize the vision of our Directors.
  
  We have daily screening rounds with the

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  
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  Instructor

  Ball State University

  Aug 2007 - Aug 2008

  1 yr

  Muncie, Indiana

  Instructor of Record for Field Lighting 299x - designed course syllabus and established academic goals. Post-course student ratings of 4.3/5.0 or higher in all categories. Without a doubt, the best part of my Ball State experience; I had great students.

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  Graduate Assistant

  Ball State University

  Jan 2007 - Aug 2008

  1 yr 7 mos

  Muncie, Indiana

  Graduate Assistant for Associate Professor Nancy Carlson. Director of Photography and Production Manager for "Movers and Stakers: Stories Along the National Road". A film documenting stories and encounters across the 160 mile stretch of the Old National Highway through the state of Indiana.
  
  Over two years, myself along with Executive Producer Nancy Carlson and numerous student employees and volunteers gathered stories and footage all along the highway. Some big interviews and some great storytelling all the while using some great HD rigs and wonderful lighting kits. Tuition and stipend funded through a Federal Highways Commission Grant: National Byways Association.

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  Student Master Control Operator

  Kent State University

  Aug 2003 - Jul 2006

  2 yrs 11 mos

  Kent, Ohio

  I was the technical link between our television studios and the outside broadcast mechanisms, primarily Time Warner Cable. We shaded and balanced remote studio camera to bring them into broadcast specifications and then provided the physical link to bring our studios on-air
  
  Along with this I also encoded and published online video, provided duplication and platform changing services for clients as well as students and faculty, linked fiber optics for remotes, and provided an emergency stop-gap in case of unapproved broadcast.

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  General Manager: Dept of Student Media - TV2

  Kent State University

  Aug 2005 - Jun 2006

  10 mos

  Kent, Ohio

  Oversaw daily operations of Kent State's student-run television station. Operating budget of $30,000 and an employee base of nearly 120 paid and unpaid students.

• Kent State University

  2002 - 2006