COMPUTER GRAPHICS & POST PRODUCTION SERVICES

Photorealism meets creative depth—from previs to final pixel.

Dan Santoni is a veteran lighting artist and CG generalist with over two decades of industry experience spanning feature film, episodic television, music videos, live performance visuals, and immersive digital environments.

Dan offers high-level CG and post-production services based on strong visual storytelling, a deep understanding of composition, and a proven ability to navigate the technical complexity of modern pipelines.

With credits on Academy and Emmy-winning projects, Dan’s work focuses on crafting richly detailed, cinematic imagery using a blend of artistic vision and precise technical execution.

Whether building full-CG environments, integrating complex lighting passes, or handling post-production composites, his work is grounded in realism, mood, and visual clarity.

CORE EXPERTISE

Lighting TD

Dan specializes in photorealistic lighting for both live-action integration and fully CG sequences.

His experience as a lead lighting TD includes work on:

• Life of Pi
• Percy Jackson 2
• Hellboy (2019)

Senior lighting TD work includes:

• Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore
• Thor: Love and Thunder
• Game of Thrones
• Cabin in the Woods
• The Golden Compass

Dan brings a deep knowledge of light behavior, camera alignment, and color theory to every project—skills honed from years of both digital and practical experience.

CG Generalist

Working across Maya, Houdini, Unreal Engine, and Blender, Dan builds and contributes to environments, hard-surface modeling, world-building, and previs.

While his focus is lighting and rendering, his computer graphics generalist background allows him to contribute meaningfully to broader pipelines and teams—especially on leaner projects where artists wear multiple hats.

Compositing & Post-Production

Dan works in both Nuke and After Effects, handling compositing tasks from cleanup and plate integration to final polish and VFX touch-ups. With a strong photographic and lighting foundation, his comps lean cinematic, clean, and grounded.

He also has experience integrating practical and digital FX, making his post work highly adaptable for productions working across mediums.

INDUSTRIES & APPLICATIONS

Dan is available for contract and freelance work across a range of project types:

• Feature Films and Episodic TV
• Commercials and Brand Campaigns
• Music Videos and Tour Visuals
• Immersive Shows and LED Environments
• Intros and Title Sequences
• Corporate and Mixed-Media Installations

Whether collaborating remotely with global studios or working hands-on with local crews, Dan adapts his role to fit the size, pace, and vision of the production.

FROM CONCEPT TO FINAL

Dan supports projects from initial previsualization through to final render and delivery.

• Previs can be built in Unreal Engine or Maya to explore visual tone, layout, and camera motion.
• Lighting and rendering are handled in Maya and Houdini, with post handled in Nuke or After Effects, depending on the workflow.
• On the technical side, he’s comfortable working with detailed asset libraries, HDRI lighting data, chromeball/sphere references, and on-set camera tracking info.
• Remote workflows are fully supported via Zoom, Google Meet, Slack, and cloud-based collaboration platforms.

SPECIAL PROJECTS & IMMERSIVE WORK

In recent years, Dan has expanded his scope to include Unreal Engine-based environments for immersive performances, LED wall content, and real-time render pipelines. Notable work includes visuals for the Trans-Siberian Orchestra Tour and early development for immersive events modeled after large-scale media environments like The Sphere.

This hybrid space—where live music, motion graphics, and large-scale visual design intersect—is a natural extension of Dan’s skills in cinematic lighting, modular asset design, and narrative atmosphere building.

ARTISTIC FOUNDATION, TECHNICAL PRECISION

What sets Dan apart from many CG professionals is a fine art background that includes formal training in photography and film.

His eye for lighting is not just technical, but also deeply intuitive, shaped by years on set and behind the camera. While many VFX artists approach imagery from a purely technical standpoint, Dan brings depth, feeling, and visual intelligence to every frame.

His work is equally informed by artistic movements—German Expressionism, Art Nouveau, Baroque—and by filmmakers like Ridley Scott, Denis Villeneuve, and the visual legacies of Blade Runner, Equilibrium, and Children of Men.

These influences inform the mood, restraint, and stylization that define much of his CG and post work.

WORKFLOW, COLLABORATION & DELIVERY

Every project begins with a detailed intake:

• Shot breakdowns
• File formats and resolution targets (HD, 2K, 4K)
• Delivery schedules and review timelines
• Creative briefs, storyboards, or visual references

Dan works with producers and creative leads to determine render formats, review schedules, and feedback cycles. He prefers clear communication and structured delivery timelines, with dailies, rough passes, and final outputs reviewed collaboratively via cloud or secure FTP.

When appropriate, Dan also offers on-set supervision to ensure CG and post elements align properly with captured footage. This can include helping gather HDRI lighting data, chrome/grey ball references, and tracking info.

BOOKING & AVAILABILITY

Dan is based in Los Angeles, CA and is available for both domestic and international projects, including:

• Freelance and contract engagements
• Short-term and long-term work
• Remote or on-location
• Collaborations with studios, brands, production houses, and independent filmmakers

Dan’s rich background in CG, lighting, and post-production sets the stage for exceptional cinematic experiences. Get in touch today!