Academy Award- and Emmy-nominated animation, VFX and design company Blur Studio has hired Dan Akers as visual effects supervisor. With nearly 15 years of experience in the VFX industry, Akers’ recent photo-realistic work for online shooter Destiny and Kia Motors was recognized with 2015 VES Award nominations, with his efforts for Destiny also taking home Best Visual Effects honors at AICP 2015.
“Dan has a great track record of handling both the creative and technical aspects involved in creating beautiful imagery. He is a key hire for Blur as we extend our reach deeper into the live-action VFX world and beyond. He’ll help us push the studio forward as we explore new ways to tell stories,” said Tim Miller, Blur co-founder and Deadpool director. “We’re really excited about him join the team.”
Akers said, “I’ve always admired the work coming out of Blur and I believe in the company’s vision for the future. I can’t wait to work with a team that’s made world class work and continues to innovate.”
Akers comes to Blur from Digital Domain, where he most recently served as VFX and compositing supervisor, largely for commercial projects, overseeing the Nike spot HyperAdapt 1.0 self-lacing shoe, as well as spots for UFC, Lexus, Cadillac, Nissan, Kia, Assassin’s Creed, and the Destiny franchise. Dan’s recent VFX work has included films, from David Fincher’s Gone Girl to this summer’s controversial Eye in the Sky. Throughout his career, Akers has worked on the Star Trek franchise, the Transformers franchise, the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, Tron: Legacy and Oblivion.
The addition of Akers to Blur underscores the studio’s momentum in the commercial and VFX worlds, having recently completed end-to-end services, including compositing, color and finishing, on live-action projects for GMC and upcoming first-person shooter Doom.
Blur Studio www.blur.com