AFX Creative of Santa Monica, California, has hired seasoned systems engineer and administrator Toby Gallo as director of technology. The company also promoted Esther Minitser to head of production, Jessica Amburgey to senior color producer, and Stefan Kim to production coordinator. Company founder and managing director Mark Leiss made the announcement.
“We’re proud to hire the best in the industry while also growing and developing talent from within our company,” Leiss said.
With more than 25 years of technology experience in network design, implementation and support, Gallo most recently worked at Shed, where he oversaw systems and network administration, and periphery management. Previously, he’s also worked for companies such as Technicolor, Warner Bros., Sony Pictures Entertainment, Digiscope, Nickelodeon, Gradient Effects, and World Wide Broadcasting. Gallo is well known for his work on ground-breaking pipelines and render farm solutions in the long-form episodic world.
“Toby brings a wealth of knowledge, experience and a unique strategic vision to AFX Creative that will carry us forward as we continue to adapt to an ever-changing landscape,” Leiss said.
“AFX is a technology forward company,” Gallo added. “We plan on taking it to the next level, implementing the latest in virtualized technologies and remote workflows, ultimately allowing AFX to service our clients’ needs and beyond.”
Minitser most recently served as VFX producer for the past three years. She has been with AFX Creative since 2015. A graduate from the Pepperdine Graziadio Business School in California, she applies that knowledge to her day-to-day work. Amburgey joined AFX Creative in 2020 as a color producer. Previously, she served in a similar capacity at The Mill in Culver City. Kim first joined in 2018 and had been head of client services.
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