ART DIRECTION, CG & POST PRODUCTION

Welcome to Dan Santoni’s world of computer graphics (CG) and post-production excellence! With over two decades of industry experience, Dan has left his mark on a wide range of productions, from Hollywood blockbusters to independent films.

Discover how Dan’s expertise in CG, post-production, art direction, and pre-production can elevate your project to new heights!

CG & POST PRODUCTION EXPERTISE

Dan’s journey in CG and post-production began in 1994, and he has been a driving force in the field for nearly twenty years.

His extensive list of credits includes major productions like:

  • Land of the Lost
  • Cabin in the Woods
  • The Incredible Hulk
  • Minority Report
  • The Vampire’s Apprentice
  • Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, and Star Trek Voyager

ON-SET FX SUPERVISION

Dan’s expertise isn’t confined to the studio; he has also provided invaluable on-set FX supervision for various music videos. This hands-on experience ensures that CG and post-production elements seamlessly integrate with live-action footage, resulting in a cohesive and visually stunning final product.

TOOLS OF THE TRADE

Dan is well-versed in an array of industry-standard tools, including Nuke, Cinema 4D, Avid, Maya, After Effects, Houdini, Adobe Premiere, and has previously utilized Soft Image. These tools are not just software to him; they are instruments through which he crafts cinematic experiences.

ART DIRECTION ON SET

Dan’s journey into the world of CG and post-production was preceded by a successful stint as an art director, props master, and on-set stills photographer starting in 1994. His early assignments included working as an assistant props master and stills photographer on “After the Game.”

Later, he rose to the role of art director and production designer on various independent films and cable shows, such as ESPN’s “Portraits of Courage,” History Channel’s “Rivals,” A&E’s “Biography,” and many more.

This diverse background equips him with a unique perspective on the visual and artistic elements of any project.

PRE-PRODUCTION EXCELLENCE

Dan’s journey through the industry also encompassed pre-production work. His experience includes collaborating with Pixel Liberation Front on “Minority Report” and contributing to various independent productions.

Notably, he was part of a project for Syd Mead, a legendary visual futurist known for his work on iconic films like “Blade Runner” and “Tron.” This pre-production expertise ensures that every aspect of your project is meticulously planned and executed.

WORK WITH DAN SANTONI TODAY

Dan’s rich background in CG, post-production, art direction, and pre-production sets the stage for exceptional cinematic experiences. Whether you’re looking to enhance visual effects, elevate art direction, or streamline pre-production, Dan’s expertise and passion for the craft make him an invaluable asset to any production team.

Connect with Dan today and bring your creative vision to life with the guidance of a true industry veteran!

2020 DEMO REEL CONTENT

00:00:00-00:00:18
Hellboy (hellbaby lighting)
Arnold Render, Rhythm and Hughes proprietary software.

00:00:19-00:00:22
X-Files (wolf lighting)
Arnold Render, Rhythm and Hughes proprietary software.

00:00:23-00:00:33
Carnival Row (Molefish) lighting
Arnold Render, Rhythm and Hughes proprietary software.

00:00:34-00:00:42
Doom Patrol (Mouse lighting)
Maya, Arnold Render

00:00:43-00:00:45
Batwoman (bats lighting)
Maya, Vray Render

00:00:45-00:00:49
The Orville (city layout, lighting)
Houdini, Redshift Render

00:00:50-00:00:51
Titans (tiger lighting)
Maya, Redshift Render

00:00:51-00:01:01
Hellboy (baby/babypig lighting)
Arnold Render, Rhythm and Hughes proprietary software.

00:01:01-00:01:18
Game of Thrones (dragon lighting)
Arnold Render, Rhythm and Hughes proprietary software.

00:01:18-00:01:24
Titans (tiger lighting)
Maya, Redshift

00:01:25-00:01:42
Walking Dead (tiger lighting)
Arnold Render, Rhythm and Hughes proprietary software.

00:01:43-00:01:54
Lost in Space (Robot and creature lighting)
Arnold Render, Rhythm and Hughes proprietary software.

00:01:54-00:02:45
Game of Thrones (dragon lighting)
Arnold Render, Rhythm and Hughes proprietary software.

00:02:46-00:02:55
Hellboy (creature lighting)
Arnold Render, Rhythm and Hughes proprietary software.

00:02:56-00:03:13
Walking Dead (tiger lighting and compositing)
Arnold Render, Rhythm and Hughes proprietary software.  Compositing Nuke.

00:03:13-00:03:31
Walking Dead (tiger lighting)
Arnold Render, Rhythm and Hughes proprietary software.

00:03:32-00:03:53
Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters (hippocampus lighting)
Houdini, Mantra Render

00:03:53-End
Life of Pi (water surface, whale, jelly fish, bioluminescence lighting)
Houdini, Mantra Render

AWARDS

Dan has worked on two Academy Award winning films: The Golden Compass and Life Of Pi.

Dan’s awards also include projects with Rhythm & Hues Studios, an Academy Award-winning character animation, visual effects and design studio.

2018 Game of Thrones – Emmy Winner, Outstanding Special Visual Effects
2018 Lost in Space – Emmy Nominated, Outstanding Special Visual Effects
2016 The Walking Dead – Emmy Nominated, Outstanding Special Visual Effects
2015-16 Game of Thrones – Emmy Winner, Outstanding Special Visual Effects

Dan Santoni - Emmy Award, Game of Thrones
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