Location : Spain, Madrid
Status : Senior FX Artist at Skydance Animation
Languages : English, Afrikaans
Dante Jansen van Vuuren
FX TD / Supervisor
As a senior FX artist, I am experienced in a wide range of effects in Houdini. Having worked on animated films for Netflix, the BBC, and other international companies, I know what it means to strive for top quality while meeting deadlines.
I love pipeline efficiency. Developing tools and HDAs are an important part of this, which is why I put a lot of care and attention into building them well.
Technical and creative skills are essential in a well-functioning FX department, but a great team is where the magic really happens. That is why I am so passionate about mentorship and making sure that everyone feels motivated and included. Having managed a team, I saw how mentoring and tutoring junior artists really equipped everyone to do their best, which is why it is still something I strive to do in whatever capacity I find myself in.
Colleagues have described me as hardworking, diligent, driven, and consistent. I strive to meet deadlines early, while maintaining a high standard of work.
I am skilled in a broad spectrum of software, Houdini and Maya being my primary software, followed by Substance Painter and Designer, Zbrush, Adobe Suite, and Nuke, among others.
My capabilities extend to other parts of the pipeline, including modelling, texturing, shading, lighting, compositing, rendering, and animation.
Projects
Reccomendations
Years
Hoduini
Maya
Shotgun
Arnold
Photoshop
Illustrator
Adobe XD
InDesign
After Effects
Premiere
Nuke
Hoduini
Maya
Shotgun
Arnold
Photoshop
Illustrator
Adobe XD
InDesign
After Effects
Premiere
Nuke
FX
Supervisor
Texturing
Sculpting
Graphic Design
Lighting
Set Dressing
Rendering
Compositing
Film Editing
Story Boarding
Animation
Senior FX Artist
Skydance Animation
Feb 2024 – Present
Madrid – Spain
Film : Pookoo
- WIP
Senior FX Artist
Skydance Animation
Jan 2023 – Mar 2024
Madrid – Spain
Film : Spellbound
- Developed tools in houdini for the development of liquid sand interaction using vellum grains, custom sop solvers and guided spectrums.
- Developed footprint tools that would allow the artist a lot flexibility to iterate and customize as per needs of each shot.
- Problem solved complex issues
- Works in a team of artists to deliver shots
Spellbound (2024)
FX Supervisor
Fabrique Fantastique
Jul 2022 – Jan 2023
Remote
Series : Interstellar Ella
- Ensuring FX department meets deadlines
- One-on-one tutoring and mentoring fellow FX artists
- Helped guide FX artists towards the director’s vison for the film
- Advised the company on FX-related questions and scenarios
- Reviewed FX artists’ shots
- Made sure FX were approved by director and handed over to the next department
- Held weekly meetings with FX team to talk about issues and build team spirit
- Recorded videos and created paperwork on guidelines for the FX department
Interstellar Ella (2022)
Lead FX Artist
Fabrique Fantastique
Jan 2022 – Jul 2022
Remote
Film : BIM
- Played an important role in assisting other artists with shot technicalities and advice, which led to my promotion to FX supervisor
- Created a broad spectrum of different types of FX under tight deadlines
- Tutored other FX artists
- Advised the company and pipeline TDs on FX pipeline
BIM (2023)
Lead Graphic Designer
Enertec
Mar 2021 – May 2022
Durban – South Africa
- Designed product packaging for new products on the market
- Created social media posts and adverts for magazine such as Agrimark
- Designed and planned interior design floorplan for office building
FX Artist
Triggerfish Animation
Nov 2019 – Feb 2021
Cape Town – South Africa
Film : Seal Team
- Developed useful tools to automate some of the effects in the film
- Worked on several key shots
- Worked on developing Houdini tools ranging from stylised explosions
Seal Team (2021)
Junior FX Artist
Triggerfish Animation
Jan 2019 – Nov 2019
Cape Town – South Africa
Film : The Snail and the Whale
- Had to produce high quality effects in short timeframes
Worked on several key shots - Had to find creative and technical solutions to various problems
- Film (Snail and the Whale) won an Annie Award – Best Special Production
The Snail and the Whale (2019)
Experiential FX Learning
Cinegestix FX
Cape Town – South Africa
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