Richard Aponte

Work History

• Sr. Nuke Compositor

  Photoreal VFX & Motion Graphics

  January 2012 - Present

  Orlando

  -Various oprojects ranging from epidodic shows to Films (privately held)
  Tools: Nukex, Nuke, Syntheyes, Mocha
  Duties: Fast paced compositing for Tv series, commercials and Film on tight deadlines. Look development. Large amounts of Green Screen subtraction and final composites. Set extensions, environment extensions, Matte paint integration. CG multipass comps. Prosthetic enhancement. SPFX blood enhancement. Clean plate painting, cosmetical fixes, keying, 3D projections, 2D tracking, 3D camera tracking, graining, color corrections, monitor and cellphone burns, signs/wire/rig removal, muzzle flashes, gunshot blood sprays, etc
• 

  Sr. Nuke Compositor

  Blue Sky Studios

  July 2018 - November 2019

  Greenwich, CT

  -Projects: (animated feature film) Spies in Disguise (Fox/Disney)
  Tools: Nuke, NukeX, Maya
  Spies in Disguise is a world class Animated Film with a stylized look that required very creative solution for very complex tasks with tight delivery deadlines. Working directly with the Lighting Department for the film Look Development and Finishing Compositing stages, receiving early Lighting multi-passes to be carried into the Look Dev stage, once approved by the Directors, Production Designer and Lighting Supervisors through dailies iterations the shots would be taken into the Finishing Compositing stage, responsibilities included complex multiple Effects integration for very challenging sequences in tight deadlines, matching Color Key for the sequence look throughout every assigned shot, helping develop clean and efficient workflows with Nuke Scripts to be used by the Sequence team to bring the Look together for final approval. Some key shots were developed under tight deadlines as film trailers shots assignments for both Look Dev, Final Compositing and Stereo Finishing. Dual duties as Sr. Nuke Compositor and Stereoscopic TD also included working with the Stereo Department by taking own shots approved in the Finishing Comp stage and then taking them into the Stereo Finishing stage, also worked closely with the Stereo Supervisor and Show Lead to create Stereoscopic Cameras in Maya for assigned Sequence earlier in the film development. Becoming a key player that could switch duties between the Lighting Dept taking challenging Compositing tasks and then being able to help the Stereo Dept to bring work to final during the busiest delivery stages of the film.
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  Sr. Nuke Visual Effects Compositor

  Powerhouse VFX

  January 2018 - May 2018

  Greater New York City Area

  -Projects: "Deception" S.1 (ABC).
  -Various other projects ranging from TV pilot shows to Films (privately held)
  Tools: Nukex, Nuke, Syntheyes, Mocha
  Duties: Fast paced compositing for Tv series, commercials and Film on tight deadlines. Look development. Large amounts of Green Screen subtraction and final composites. Set extensions, environment extensions, Matte paint integration. CG multipass comps. Prosthetic enhancement. SPFX blood enhancement. Clean plate painting, cosmetical fixes, keying, 3D projections, 2D tracking, 3D camera tracking, graining, color corrections, monitor and cellphone burns, signs/wire/rig removal, muzzle flashes, gunshot blood sprays, etc
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  Sr. Nuke Compositor

  Alkemy X

  May 2016 - December 2017

  Greater New York City Area

  (Former Dive Visual studio)
  -Projects: "Power" S.4,5 (Showtime), "Frequency" (The CW), "Blindspot" S.1,2,3 (NBC), "The Leftovers S.2” (HBO), (Episodic TV shows plus other recent shows privately held), Split, All Saint, An Interview with God (Feature Film). Geico, Metamucil (Commercial) Various TV pilot shows (privately held)
  Tools: Nukex, Nuke, Syntheyes, Mocha
  Duties: Fast paced compositing for Tv series, commercials and Film on tight deadlines. Look development. Large amounts of Green Screen subtraction and final composites for car comps. Set extensions, environment extensions, Matte paint integration. CG multipass comps. Prosthetic enhancement. SPFX blood enhancement. Clean plate painting, cosmetical fixes, keying, 3D projections, 2d tracking, 3d tracking, graining, color corrections, monitor and cellphone burns, signs/wire/rig removal, muzzle flashes, gunshot blood sprays, etc
• 

  Sr. Nuke Compositor

  Method Studios

  May 2016 - June 2016

  Greater New York City Area

  -Projects: Episodic TV Drama "The Get Down" for Netflix. Commercial (privately held)
  Tools: Nukex, Nuke
  Duties: Fast paced 2D Compositing. Clean plate painting, green screen driving comps, set, extensions, 2d tracking, graining, color corrections, matte paint Composites, CGI elements integration, etc.
• 

  Stereoscopic Technical Director/Nuke Compositor

  Blue Sky Studios

  January 2016 - May 2016

  Greenwich, CT

  -Projects: (animated feature film) Ice Age 5
  Tools: Nuke, NukeX
  CGI 2D Compositing and Stereoscopic TD. Stylized composites for world class Animated Film, working in two separates departments, Compositing and Stereo in different stages of the pipeline, working in multiple sequences. CGI multi-pass elements integration, 3D projections for paint fixes and added effects, use of Z depth maps for Depth of field effects, atmosphere recreation, lighting fixes. Stereoscopic compliance of 2D Composites handed to the Stereo Dept, recreating many effects to make it work in Stereo space using house tools or new techniques. Keep clean comps scripts to be handled by multiple artists.
• 

  Sr. Nuke Compositor

  Alkemy X

  August 2015 - December 2015

  New York, NY

  (Former Dive Visual studio)
  -Projects: Episodic TV Drama: Leftovers, Outcast
  Tools: Nukex, Nuke, Syntheyes
  Duties: Fast paced 2D Compositing. Clean plate painting, rig removal, 2.5D projections, 2d tracking, 3d tracking, graining, color corrections, matte paint Composites, signs, replacements, CGI elements integration, etc.
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  Stereoscopic Technical Director/Nuke Compositor

  Blue Sky Studios

  May 2015 - August 2015

  Greenwich, CT

  -Projects: (animated feature film) Peanuts.
  Tools: Nuke, NukeX
  CGI 2D Compositing and Stereoscopic TD. Stylized composites for world class Animated Film, working in two separates departments, Compositing and Stereo in different stages of the pipeline, working in multiple sequences. CGI multi-pass elements integration, 3D projections for paint fixes and added effects, use of Z depth maps for Depth of field effects, atmosphere recreation, lighting fixes. Stereoscopic compliance of 2D Composites handed to the Stereo Dept, recreating many effects to make it work in Stereo space using house tools or new techniques. Keep clean comps scripts to be handled by multiple artists.
• 

  Nuke Compositor

  FuseFX

  January 2015 - May 2015

  584 Broadway Suite 1005, New York, NY, 10012

  2D Compositing for privately held projects. CGI EXR Multipass Compositing, Green Screen Substracions, 2D Tracking, Camera Tracking, clean plate painting, etc
  Tools: Nuke X, Nuke, Syntheyes, Photoshop
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  Sr. Nuke Compositor

  Alkemy X

  April 2015 - April 2015

  Greater New York City Area

  (Former Dive Visual studio)
  -Projects: Episodic TV Drama: "Public Morals"​, "Power"
  Tools: Nukex, Nuke
  Duties: Fast paced 2D Compositing. Clean plate painting, rig removal, 2.5D projections, 2d tracking, 3d tracking, graining, color corrections, matte paint Composites, signs, replacements, CGI elements integration, etc.
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  Sr. Nuke Compositor

  Zero VFX

  March 2015 - April 2015

  Greater Boston Area

  -Project: Feature Film "Southpaw". 2D Compositing. CGI EXR Multipass Compositing of blood and sweat FX integration, Crowd extension, Arena extension, 2D Tracking, Camera Tracking.
  Tools: Nuke X, Nuke, Syntheyes.
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  Nuke Compositor

  Zero VFX

  October 2014 - December 2014

  2D Compositing for privately held projects. 2D Compositing for privately held projects. CGI EXR Multipass Compositing, Green Screen Substracions, 2D Tracking, Camera Tracking, Screen burns for monitors and cellphones, clean plate painting, etc
  Tools: Nuke X, Nuke, Syntheyes, Photoshop

• Nuke Compositor

  DIVE

  March 2014 - May 2014

  -Projects: Episodic TV Drama: "The Leftovers", "Public Morals", "Power", "How to Get Away"
  Feature Film: Dark Places
  Tools: Nukex, Syntheyes.
  Duties: Fast paced 2D Compositing and look development. Clean plate painting, removals, cosmetical fixes, keying, 2.5D projections, 2d tracking, 3d tracking, graining, color corrections, matte paint Composites, monitor, cellphones, signs, replacements, muzzle flashes, gunshot blood sprays, etc.

  
• 

  Nuke Compositor/Studio Operations

  The Molecule

  May 2013 - December 2013

  - Projects: Episodic TV Drama: " The Blacklist" (episodes 102, 103 & 104), "Red Road" (episodes 101, 102)
  Feature Films: "Winter's Tale", "Rob the Mob", "Last 5 Years", "A Walk Among the Tombstones", "Larry Gaye", "Grass Stains", "Song One"
  Documentary: "Seeds of Hope"
  Commercials: "Lonely Leap ASICS/SWIX"
  Tools: Nuke, Nukex, Syntheyes.
  Duties: -As a Nuke Compositor: 2D Compositing. Fast paced compositing for Tv series and FIlm on tight deadlines. Look development. Clean plate painting, removals, cosmetical fixes, keying, 2.5D projections, 2d tracking,
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  Nuke Compositor

  The Molecule

  April 2013 - August 2013

  - Projects: "The Following", "Ironside", "You are Not You", "GTAT", "Royal Pains", "Smash" (Episodic TV drama)
  Shreveport (Feature FIlm)
  Tools: Nuke
  Duties: 2D Compositing. Fast paced compositing for Tv series and FIlm on tight deadlines. Look development. Clean plate painting, removals, cosmetical fixes, keying, 2.5D projections, 2d tracking, 3d tracking, graining, color corrections, matte paint Composites, monitor replacements, etc.
• 

  Nuke 2D Compositor, Stereoscopic Technical Director

  Blue Sky Studios

  January 2013 - April 2013

  -Projects: (animated feature film) EPIC
  Tools: Nuke
  CGI 2D Compositing and Stereoscopic TD. Stylized composites for world class Animated Film, working in two separates departments, Compositing and Stereo in different stages of the pipeline, working in multiple sequences for different teams. CGI multi-pass elements integration, 3D projections for paint fixes and added effects, use of Z depth maps for Depth of field effects, atmosphere recreation, lighting fixes. Stereoscopic compliance of 2D Composites handed to the Stereo Dept, recreating many effects to

  

• Nuke 2D Compositor

  Fusion CI Studios

  December 2012 - January 2013

  -Projects: PRIMEVAL: NEW WORLD (Sci-Fi TV Series)
  Tools: Nuke
  2D Compositing
  Cgi elements multi-pass compositing (glass, liquid gas), 2D tracking, keying, graining, color correction, clean plate painting, etc...
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  Nuke 2D Compositor

  The Molecule

  November 2012 - December 2012

  -Project: (Episodic TV Series) Royal Pains, Deception, Smash
  Tools: Nuke
  2D Compositing
  Background replacements, keying, matte painting, clean plate painting, 2D, 3D tracking, matchmoving, graining, color correction, 3D projections, create elements, etc...
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  Nuke 2D Compositor

  Pixel Magic

  September 2012 - November 2012

  -Project: (feature films) Motel
  Tools: Nuke
  2D Compositing
  Complex green screen matte extraction composites of numerous shots. Keying, tracking, graining, color correction, markers removal, etc...
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  Nuke 2D Compositor

  Pixomondo

  July 2012 - September 2012

  -Project: (feature films) Beautiful Creatures
  Tools: Nuke, SynthEyes
  2D Compositing
  Compositing on anamorphic plates, 2.5D Compositing, lens distortion, keying, matte painting, clean plate painting, 2D, 3D and planar tracking, matchmoving, graining, color correction, 3D projections, elements compositing, multi-pass compositing, create elements, wire removal, markers removal, etc...

  
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  Nuke 2D Compositor

  Worldwide FX

  December 2011 - May 2012

  -Projects: (feature films) The Iceman, Texas Chainsaw Massacre 3D, Playing the Field, The Wedding, Stolen, Paperboy
  Tools: Nuke, Maya, Boujou
  2D Compositing (Stereo Compositing).
  Native 3D Stereo Compositing, keying, matte painting, clean plate paining, 2D, 3D and planar tracking, matchmoving, graining, color correction, 3D projections, elements compositing, multi-pass compositing, create elements, wire removal, 3D low res modeling, texturing, etc...

  

  

  

  
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  Nuke 2D Compositor Artist (Stereoscopic)

  Technicolor

  March 2011 - August 2011

  -Project: (feature film) Kung Fu Panda I (2D to 3D Stereo conversion)
  Tools: Nuke
  Duties: Use of a rendered Z Depth from a 3D camera to create a Disparity Map by sculpting characters and objects from 3D environment, to then create a second eye camera for the 3D stereoscopic conversion, taking depth clues into consideration. Matte painintg, tracking, color correction for plate matching. Heavy use of mattes and elements, cgi multi-pass elements compositing, elements re-creation
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  2D Stereo Compositor

  Prime Focus World

  November 2010 - March 2011

  -Projects: (feature films) “Green Lantern”. “Star Wars, Episode 1” & Privately Held Projects (2D to 3D Stereo conversion)
  Tools: Fusion
  Duties: Create a Z Depth and Disparity Map by sculpting characters and objects, to then create a second eye camera for the 3D stereoscopic conversion, taking depth clues into consideration. Matte painintg, tracking, color correction for plate matching.

  
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  Stereoscopic Digital Artist

  Stereo D

  August 2010 - November 2010

  -Projects: (feature films) “JackAss 3D”, “Gulliver’s Travels” & “Green Hornets” (2D to 3D Stereo conversion)
  Tools: Nuke, AE, Sillohuette, Mocha, VDX
  Duties: Rotoscoping. Separate with the use of roto the different elements in the plate to be converted from 2D to 3D that helps create a background Z Depth Map that will generate the offset and depth for the second eye camera.
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  2D Compositor

  Worldwide FX

  June 2010 - July 2010

  -Project: (feature film) The Mechanic
  Tools: Nuke, Fusion
  Duties: Wire removals, 2D and 3D elements integration, tracking and stabilization, rotoscoping, camera projections, matte painting, match grain, color correction