MUMBAI: Visual effects (VFX) and animation studio DNEG has announced on Friday the hiring of Eric Brevig and Greg Butler as visual effects supervisors. Brevig and Butler each join DNEG with decades of experience in the film industry.

Brevig’s notable award-winning credits as VFX supervisor include 'Total Recall' (1990), for which he received the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects, "Hook" (1991), for which he was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects, "Men In Black" (1997), which earned him a Bafta nomination for Best Visual Effects, and "Pearl Harbor" (2001), which earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Visual Effects.

Butler’s portfolio of credits as VFX supervisor includes Sam Mendes’ ‘single shot’ war drama '1917' (2019), which earned him an Academy Award and a Bafta for Best Visual Effects, and ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2’ (2011), which earned him his first Bafta. Earlier in his career, Butler received a Visual Effects Society Award for ‘Outstanding Character Animation’ for his work on Gollum in ‘The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King’ (2003).

“I am proud to have both Eric and Greg, two highly accomplished industry veterans each with their own incredible legacy of breathtaking work, join DNEG’s creative ranks. Eric and Greg will certainly help us continue to push the creative boundaries of what is possible during this period of technological advancement in our industry and unprecedented demand for our services. Adding professionals with track records, talent, and expertise such as theirs further solidifies DNEG as the VFX and animation studio leader in the category” said DNEG chairman & CEO Namit Malhotra.

Talking about his new role, Brevig said, “I have had the pleasure of working with DNEG and Namit on several projects in the past and I am delighted to become part of this world-class creative team. DNEG’s commitment to excellence and future growth plans make this a very exciting time for me to join the company.

“My approach to the craft of VFX has always been to find the right techniques to create the most believable, engaging, and immersive experience for the audience. Using both virtual and physical tools, we can now realize anything the filmmaker can envision.”

Butler joins DNEG from Method Studios, where he worked as a VFX Supervisor on various feature, episodic, and advertising projects, including most recently on a large scale, yet to be announced project for Amazon.

“I have been following DNEG for many years - even before my London Soho days – as a competitor, a collaborator and as the home to many of my favorite people in visual effects. I am very excited to join DNEG’s Montréal office and I know we are going to make some great work together.

“Visual effects is a magic trick. Its purpose, to keep the audience engaged in the story and the world of the film. Whether it is used to create fantastic wand duels in Harry Potter or invisible cuts in 1917, visual effects is a series of illusions created in service of the story. While it’s the end result that matters, I have always been enthralled by the filmmaking process; the dynamic behind-the-scenes collaboration of VFX artists and the live action crews whose work is their foundation” said Butler.