Hello! My name is Tony Como. With 10 years of experience in visual effects and design, I believe my talents translate exceptionally well to visual effects, gaming, and other creative industries. I have extensive experience managing large creative teams, creating pipelines and workload goals, streamlining processes and procedures, and creating highly engaging visuals.
I have extensive experience training, mentoring, and managing teams to meet international standards, and I enjoy developing individual skills and promoting team members to great responsibilities. With a collaborative communication style, I am able to develop strong relationships with clients, vendors, other departments, and with my team.
I thrive in a collaborative environment and enjoy a lively exchange of ideas. I love making work fun for my team and revel in the creative process – working together to deliver the most creative products possible. I have a refined aesthetic and deep knowledge of visual effects tools, pipelines, and software.
Work History
Artist Manager
Ghost VFX
March 2022 - November 2022
Miami, Florida, United States
Managed resource allocation for artists across North America, collaborating closely with business and production teams to accurately forecast project requirements and optimize resource distribution
Led strategic initiatives to enhance the utilization of artist talents on diverse projects, aligning short-term and long-term goals with organizational objectives
Conducted artist interviews and performance evaluations, designing tailored career paths to foster professional growth and development opportunities
Implemented a structured approach to performance management, ensuring artists received constructive feedback and clear direction for career advancement
Developed and implemented strategic plans to maximize artist engagement and effectiveness across projects, ensuring alignment with company vision and goals
Coordinated effectively with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless operations and efficient use of artistic resources, maintaining high productivity and artist satisfaction
Head of Digital Prep
Pixomondo
November 2022 - Present
Miami, Florida, United States · Remote
Supervised Matchmove, Digital Paint, and Roto teams across North America, driving exceptional quality and efficiency in workflow processes. Enhanced project packaging and versioning systems to improve vendor collaboration and ensure smooth production transitions.
Spearheaded a crucial 18-month initiative to overhaul outdated pipelines and toolsets, streamlining processes, integrating new technologies, and adopting global best practices, which significantly improved operational efficiency and project delivery.
Successfully implemented rigorous global standards, achieving a 25% reduction in version kickbacks and significantly enhancing inter-department collaboration. This strategic improvement not only bolstered the department's reputation for excellence and reliability but also expedited project workflows, consistently keeping projects on schedule or ahead of deadlines by facilitating faster deliverables to downstream departments.
Championed the development and refinement of workflows, toolsets, and processes, optimizing internal efficiency and achieving exceptional results in digital production.
Managed resource allocation for artists across North America, closely collaborating with business and production teams to forecast project requirements and optimize resource distribution.
Led strategic initiatives to maximize the utilization of artist talents across diverse projects, aligning with both short-term and long-term organizational objectives.
Developed and implemented strategies to enhance artist engagement and effectiveness, coordinating effectively with cross-functional teams to maintain high productivity and satisfaction.
Head of Digital Paint & Roto
Method Studios
September 2017 - January 2019
Montreal, Canada Area
Spearheaded the establishment and leadership of the company's top-tier Digital Roto and Paint Department for renowned films and TV series
Implemented cutting-edge industry best practices and standards to enhance quality and efficiency within the department
Innovated workflows and pipelines to optimize production processes, enhancing overall project efficiency
Expanded and managed a global vendor network to support project execution and meet client demands proficiently
Collaborated seamlessly with cross-functional departments to ensure timely project delivery and high-quality work
Drove revenue growth through adept client relationship management and acquisition of new project opportunities
Enhanced team skills and growth through effective leadership and development initiatives
Head of Digital Prep
Method Studios
January 2019 - December 2020
Led creative and resource management for 2D and 3D department teams, significantly contributing to all projects for Digital Paint and Roto (DPR), Tracking, and Department Production
Supervised and managed high-profile visual effects projects, ensuring alignment with client specifications and project goals
Collaborated with global studios in Canada, the U.S., Australia, and India to develop department initiatives, provide strategic direction, and establish consistent global standards and guidelines
Partnered with production management to meet budget targets, optimizing resource allocation and financial efficiency for both departments
Designed and implemented optimized workflows for leads and artists, significantly enhancing job efficiency and reducing production times
Actively promoted company culture, visual effects insights, and career opportunities, presenting at industry events like Effects Montreal to engage and inspire high school students and graduates.
Global Head of Digital Prep
Method Studios
December 2020 - March 2022
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Led the Digital Paint and Roto (DPR) department across studios in Canada, the US, Australia, and India, ensuring alignment with global initiatives and raising artistic and technical standards.
Orchestrated operations for the Global DPR department, implementing consistent global practices and devising creative and resource strategies for high-profile productions.
Spearheaded the development and optimization of departmental pipelines and toolsets in collaboration with the development team, significantly improving efficiency and artistic skills.
Established global best practices and enhanced toolsets, resulting in increased departmental efficiency and output.
Improved quality standards, leading to a 25% decrease in version kickbacks and expedited shot completion, facilitating smooth transitions to subsequent projects.
Provided creative direction for major film and episodic productions, overseeing client-centric beauty projects and ensuring excellence in execution.
Collaborated with resourcing leaders and producers to strategically staff projects and adapt to evolving production demands, maintaining operational efficiency.
Implemented growth and development opportunities to maintain high team retention rates, fostering a supportive and progressive work environment.
Conducted comprehensive performance evaluations and career development programs, nurturing team growth and professional advancement.
Represented the company at prominent industry events such as Effects Montreal, sharing insights, company culture, and career guidance to enhance the company's industry presence and influence.
Base FX
? - Present
Head of Digital Paint and Roto
Method Studios
August 2018 - January 2019
Montréal, Canada
Digital Paint and Roto Supervisor
Atomic Fiction
August 2018 - December 2018
Montréal, Canada
Digital Paint and Roto Supervisor
Base FX
October 2015 - September 2017
Beijing City, China
Senior Digital Paint Artist
Industrial Light & Magic
May 2014 - October 2015
Digital Artist
Industrial Light & Magic
April 2014 - June 2014
Credits:
Transformers 4: Age of Extinction
Digital Paint Artist
Wētā FX
June 2013 - April 2014
Credits:
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
Dawn of Planet of the Apes
Senior Paint Artist
Compositor
Newbreed Visual Effects
April 2013 - May 2013
Credits:
Horns
Site 146
Compositor and Stereoscopic Compositing TD
Blue Sky Studios
November 2012 - April 2013
Credits:
Epic
Paint and Rotoscope Artist
Framestore
October 2012 - November 2012
Credits:
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
Stereoscopic Compositor/Layout Artist
Digital Domain
January 2012 - September 2012
Credits:
Mets: Heads Up Display (2012)
Layout Artist/Stereoscopic Compositor
Mets:The Ball Unleashed (2012)
Layout Artist
Digital Artist
Digital Domain
February 2011 - December 2011
Credits:
Smurfs (2011)
Stereoscopic Compositor (uncredited)
Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011)
Stereoscopic Compositor (uncredited)
Creative
Apple Retail
November 2010 - January 2011
I was a trainer to our OnetoOne customers. Showing them everything from the basics to Final Cut Pro.
Motion Artist
Capsule Media
April 2010 - November 2010
Created and completed motion graphics, compositing, editing, and final audio mixes for a variety of commercial clients.
Credits:
My First Time
Digital Effects
Discovery Saved My Life: Last Chance to Survive
Compositor (uncredited)
Specialist
Apple Retail
2009 - May 2010
I was a Specialist.
Motion Designer
Spine3d
May 2006 - February 2010
I finalized editing, color correcting, motion graphics, compositing, matchmoving, and rotoscoping on a variety of high-end architectural animations.
Freelance Artist
Zimmerman Advertising
November 2009 - November 2009
Created motion graphic spot and rotoscoped footage for car commercial.
Intern
Studio of Digital Art
January 2006 - May 2006
As an intern, I completed video editing tasks as well as creating the company demo reel.