Girish Balakrishnan

Girish Balakrishnan

Lead Virtual Production Technical Director at Digital Domain

Lead Virtual Production / 11 yrs

Santa Monica, CA

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Virtual Production Supervisor

The Lion King (2019)

Lead Virtual Production TD

Ready Player One (2018)

Lead Game Engine TD

DreamWorks Voltron VR Chronicles (2017)

Virtual Production Technical Director, Lead

The Jungle Book (2016)

I believe that we are at the dawn of a new age in cinematic production, where innovative technologies merge in new and unique ways to produce truly immersive experiences. My passions lie at the forefront of this virtual production revolution, constructing tools that push this medium into uncharted territories.

With the completion of my dissertation in virtual cinematography, I developed a pre-production tool called the "SmartVCS", an intelligent mobile virtual camera system. The system was showcased as a talk and booth at the SIGGRAPH 2013: Studio Exhibit and at the Unite 2013 conference. Building upon my interests in this area, I worked at Side Effects Software on the Houdini Engine team and Alex McDowell's 5D Global Studio exploring the possibilities of integrating a procedural pipeline for previsualization in both film and game development. Currently, I am working at Digital Domain as a Virtual Production Technical Director developing next-generation real-time visualization tools leveraging gaming and motion capture technologies.
Work History

  • Lead Virtual Production Developer

    MPC

    January 2017 - Present

    • Architecting virtual production pipelines with advanced real-time visualizations through game engines.
    • Deep system integration with the studio's previsualization and post-production pipelines.
    • Interacts directly with Director, Cinematographer, and Visual Effects Supervisor on virtual cinematography leveraging both motion capture and virtual reality technologies.

    Projects:
    Unannounced Feature Film

    Speaking Opportunities:
    SXSW 2017: Film/Interactive Track Panel (Austin, TX)
    - "Pixar to Pixel: Games, Rendering, & Future of Film"

  • Virtual Production Lead Technical Director

    Digital Domain

    May 2014 - January 2017
    Playa Vista, California

    • Developing proprietary next-generation real-time visualization tools & methodologies for virtual production, leveraging game engine and motion capture technologies.
    • Working directly with Directors, Cinematographers (D.P.), Visual Effects Supervisors, and other chief creatives on look development, advanced virtual camera tools, on-set real-time rendering (SimulCam), stereo-3D support, as well as supporting a myriad of interfaces to intuitively control virtual systems (VCam, pan-tilt wheel, tablet, game controller, MIDI devices, VR).
    • Lead a team of real-time artists on collaborating with Virtual Art Department and Shots Department to look develop, light, and render shots to editorial for deliveries to the visual effects vendor.
    • Pipeline tools developed using C#, Javascript, Python, & MEL for MotionBuilder, Maya, Unity, Unreal Engine, and proprietary engines.

    Projects:
    Disney's The Jungle Book - Virtual Camera Layout TD/Photon Engine Architect
    NASA/SpaceX/ASME Mars VR Experience - Virtual Production/Photon Lead TD
    Nintendo Mario Maker TV Spot, "The Build" (PitchViz) - Virtual Production TD
    The Legends of Monkey King (ProtoViz) for HTC Vive - VR Lead TD
    Vive Home for HTC Vive - VR Lead TD
    Steven Spielberg's Ready Player One - Virtual Production Lead TD
    Google Arts and Culture VR for Daydream - VR Lead TD

    Speaking Opportunities:
    Windows Design Group: 3D Immersion Days at Microsoft (Redmond, WA)
    - "Designing the Frame: Cinematic Storytelling with Virtual Production"
    Immersive Technology Summit (IMMERSE) 2016 (Bellevue, WA)
    - "Let’s Make VR Practical Again: Immersive Design through Virtual Production"
    Unite 2016: Unity Developers Conference (Hollywood, CA)
    - "Unity for Films" Panel

  • Virtual Production Engineer

    5D Global Studio

    March 2014 - May 2014
    West Hollywood, California

    • Developing new virtual production workflows & real-time previsualization tools as part of the Virtual Art Department, utilizing game, film, and motion capture technologies under the supervision of production designer Alex McDowell and PLF's Colin Green.
    • Built & managed the Design Visualization motion capture volume to support real-time streaming of virtual camera systems, tablet/controller interfaces, and MIDI control devices between Vicon Blade, MotionBuilder, and Unity.
    • Collaborated with Microsoft to provide Director, Production Designer, & Art Director with set building, lighting, and location scouting sandbox tools.

  • Houdini Procedural Tools Developer

    Sidefx Software

    September 2013 - March 2014

    • Developing procedural previsualization tools using Houdini for film & game cinematic development pipelines under the mentorship of SideFX Senior Houdini Artist John Courte & Dreamworks Animation Visual Effects Supervisor David Prescott.
    • Prototyping features utilizing the Houdini Engine and Houdini's Digital Asset pipeline for use in Autodesk Maya and Unity 3D.
    • Evaluate Houdini Engine & Houdini 13 software and provide constructive improvements to developers to improve workflow for Visual Effects & gaming clients.

    Speaking Opportunities:
    LA Animation & Visual Effects Pipeline Developers User Group (Los Angeles, CA)
    - "SmartVCS: A New Previz Tool for a Production Environment"
    LA Unity3D User Group (Los Angeles, CA)
    - "Houdini and Unity"

  • Visual Effects Artist & User Interface Designer

    Beyond Ink

    November 2011 - September 2013
    Greater Philadelphia Area

    • Developing & compositing visual effects shots comprised of atmospheric and fluid simulations.
    • Designing interactive user interface elements optimized for the Apple iPad.
    • Maintained an aesthetic look and style through pre-production, production, and post-production.
    • “Spirit of the Virginia” iPad storytelling application released on the Apple App Store.

  • Adjunct Faculty Modeling, Animation, & Gaming Instructor

    Drexel University

    June 2012 - June 2013
    Greater Philadelphia Area

    • Instructed Sophomore level overview course that focused on core aesthetic, technical, and
    conceptual techniques of digital media. Students were taught key modeling, texturing, and
    animation techniques for animated shorts & game design using Autodesk Maya & Unity 3D.
    • Taught sessions, offered critiques & aided student groups throughout their animated production.

  • Multimedia Developer

    Entertainment Technology Corporation | Environmental Techton

    April 2011 - September 2011

    • Developed 3D models and animations for use in motion-based aviation & space simulators.
    • Created motion graphics marketing assets for display at technology-centric trade shows.
    • Inplemented a new corporate presentation workflow to allow personnel to broadcast live
    HD webinars and rich media content to viewers across the globe.

  • Freelance 3D Scanning/Modeling Consultant

    Drexel University

    June 2009 - September 2010
    Greater Philadelphia Area

    • Utilizes a 3D Non-Contact Digitizer to scan and assemble historical artifacts and miscellaneous statues into a digital medium.
    • Developing projects for promotional use and research purposes for clients such as Drexel College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Media Arts and Design.

  • Independent Researcher for Students Tracking Advanced Research (STAR)

    Drexel University

    June 2009 - August 2009
    Greater Philadelphia Area

    • Conducted independent 3D Scanning research in developing solutions and techniques in the
    field of “Digital Digitization of Historical Artifacts”.
    • Worked in close partnership with members of Temple University, the National Science
    Foundation, & the Independance Living History Center as part of "3D Colonial Philadelphia".

  • Graduate Research Aid on Brain Control Interfaces

    Drexel University

    November 2008 - April 2009
    Greater Philadelphia Area

    • Assisted in developing Level Designs, Gameplay Mechanics, and Implementations of Brain Control Interfaces for a proposed computer game
    • Performed research on the psychological effects of visual stimuli on the game playing experience

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Education

  • Master of Science in Digital Media, 4.0

    Drexel University

    2010 - 2013

  • Bachelor of Science in Digital Media, 3.7

    Drexel University

    2008 - 2012