Rafael Santos

Rafael Santos

Sr. FX Artist and Houdini TD

Senior Houdini FX artist / Senior FX TD / 13 yrs

Toronto, Canada

Hire Me

FX

See (2019)

Visual Effects Artist

American Gods (2017)

FX Artist

Pompeii (2014)

FX Artist

Carrie (2013)

Visual Effects Artist

The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones (2013)

Visual Effects Artist

Vikings (2012)

Visual Effects Artist

Resident Evil: Retribution (2012)

FX Artist

13 minutes (1921)

I’m a Houdini FX TD, Graphic and Motion Designer with a background in Architecture and Urban Planning. I’m passionate about cinematic storytelling and how it can be enhanced by visual effects. I’m also an avid problem solver and fascinated by the challenges that arise from my work as a visual effects artist. I'm a professional with a strong capability in creating both depth and range in my work, a constant learner, attentive to detail, versatile, easygoing and value giving and receiving feedback. I strive to sustain a collaborative and enjoyable work environment. 
My professional experience ranges from visual effects, 3D modelling and rigging, video editing and motion graphics to web and graphic design.

Specialties: VFX, simulation of natural phenomena, rigid and soft bodies simulation, 3D modelling, procedural modelling and animation in Houdini, VEX and python scripting.
Work History

  • Houdini FX artist

    88 Pictures

    October 2023 - Present
    Toronto, Canada

  • Sr. FX Technical Director

    ILM Vancouver

    July 2022 - Present
    Vancouver, Canada

  • Sr. FX Technical Director

    ILM Vancouver

    July 2022 - September 2023
    Vancouver, Canada

  • Sr. FX Artist

    Pixomondo

    January 2022 - July 2022
    Toronto, Ontario, Canada

  • Senior FX Artist

    Tangent Animation

    March 2021 - August 2021
    Toronto, Ontario, Canada

  • FX Artist

    Alter Ego

    February 2020 - April 2020
    Toronto, Canada

  • FX Artist

    Alter Ego

    February 2020 - February 2020
    Toronto, Canada

  • Nice Shoes

    December 2019 - January 2020
    Toronto, Canada

  • FX TD

    Alter Ego

    December 2018 - January 2019
    Toronto, Canada

  • FX Artist

    Alter Ego

    October 2018 - October 2018
    Toronto, CA

  • Houdini FX artist

    Alter Ego

    August 2018 - August 2018
    Toronto, CA

  • Houdini FX artist

    Alter Ego

    May 2018 - June 2018
    Toronto, CA

  • Houdini FX Artist and Technical Director

    Self-employed

    April 2018 - December 2021
    Toronto, Canada Area

    I've been fortunate enough to work with a varied gamma of clients, ranging from VFX for Advertising, Film/TV, as well as aiding within a major tech firm in Palo Alto with their Product Development team. I've also had a great group of students at Seneca College who I'm sure to see their names scrolling up in film credits for years to come!

  • Shodan in Goju Ryu Karate Do

    Classical Martial Arts Centre-Hasu Dojo

    October 2016 - Present
    Toronto, Ontario, Canada

  • FX Artist

    Deluxe Digital Studios

    July 2020 - November 2020

  • Houdini Instructor

    Seneca College

    May 2017 - Present
    North York, ON

    At Seneca I teach Houdini for the Procedural Effects Animation II module of their Visual Effects Program. The focus of this module is correct and efficient ways to build procedural effects that scale up and are customisable to attends the needs of production.

  • Senior Houdini TD

    Tendril

    August 2016 - April 2018
    Toronto, Canada

  • Marketing Artist

    Sidefx Software

    March 2014 - August 2016
    Toronto, Canada Area

    Supporting the content development at Side Effects Software, as well as managing technical interns.

  • FX Artist

    Mr. X

    March 2012 - February 2014
    Toronto

    Creating visual effects for film and animation, mainly using Houdini.

  • Technical Intern

    Sidefx Software

    October 2011 - February 2012
    Toronto, Canada Area

    Developing content for the Marketing department, while furthering my knowledge in Houdini and VFX.
    Fluid simulations, procedural modeling and animation.

  • Designer

    Bruce Mau Design

    September 2008 - April 2011
    Toronto, ON, Canada

    I was a designer working on the development of signage and wayfiding, video production, animation, interactive and motion design. Tasks involved research, concept, development and execution.

  • Bolt Brasil Comunicação Digital

    November 2007 - 2008

  • Bola Sociology Design

    March 2007 - November 2007
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Education

  • BA - unfinished in Architecture

    Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais

    1995 - 2002