Eddie Bonin, Netflix

Digital Production Executive, VFX

Eddie Bonin is an experienced VFX studio executive and VFX producer for scripted original television, having produced or managed over 250 hours of primetime TV programming. With 13 years of experience as a producer or manager in the entertainment industry, Eddie has been hired by some of the top studios and networks in Hollywood to oversee their visual effects — Netflix (Current), Hulu (2017-2018), MGM Studios (2016-2017), FX Networks (2016-2017), Marvel Studios (2016-2017), HBO (2015), and CBS (2015), Fox (2013-2016). Eddie has held a seat on the Special Visual Effects Executive Committee of the TV Academy since 2013, and is also an active member of the Visual Effects Society and Producers Guild of America. Eddie and his team have been nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Special Visual Effects for The Walking Dead – Season 2 (2012), and Visual Effects Society Awards for Legion – Season 1 (2018) and The First – Season 1 (2019).

Saham Ali, Falcon’s Creative Group

Director of Technology

Saham Ali is a Visual Effects Artist and IT Professional with over 17 years of experience in Television and Feature Film Production, as well as developing and managing IT solutions for studios and VFX schools. Saham was instrumental in turning a 14,000 core HPC into a public render farm and implemented and single handedly manages a large production facility with 250+ workstations.

Steve Grubbs, Victory XR

CEO

Steve Grubbs is an Internet and technology entrepreneur, having founded four companies.

In 2016, VictoryXR was founded, which produces virtual reality curriculum for schools. In 2018, Intel invited VictoryXR to participate in its mentorship program and Microsoft licensed its content. Viveport awarded VictoryXR its award for best education VR content for 2018.

In 2018, Paradigm, an early virtual reality and esports tech center was opened. Its model combines virtual reality, esports, STEM tutoring, and corporate VR training to create an LBE model that is sustainable.

Steve Founded Victory Enterprises in 1997 and built the first Web sites for the cities of Davenport, Moline, and Eldridge.

In 1999, Steve founded VictoryStore.com, which has grown to be an umbrella organization for more than 25 eCommerce sites. VictoryStore.com has been recognized by Internet Retailer magazine as one of the largest eCommerce stores in the United States.

Steve served as Chairman of the Young Presidents Organization’s international technology network. This network had more than 3,000 tech CEOs’ as members. Steve also served previously as an Iowa legislator from ‘90-’96 and in that capacity, was chair of the House Education Committee which passed the state’s first technology funding bill.

Paul Kashuk, EA

Art Director

For more than 25 years, Paul Kashuk has been working professionally as and Artist and Art Director across many forms of entertainment. Classically trained in illustration and sculpture, Paul has worked as a scenic artist for the theme parks, has 7 film credits on animated films for Disney, and is currently the Principal Art Director at Electronic Arts Orlando.

Dean Lewandowski, Lightstorm

Virtual Production Supervisor

Dean Lewandowski is a VFX artist/supervisor that has nearly two dozen film credits to his name and 15+ years experience. He has worked on some of the biggest and highest producing films in Hollywood, such as Avatar, Rise of the Planet of the Apes, The Avengers, The Hobbit Films, and the Hunger Games. Dean graduated from the DAVE School in 2006 and was immediately hired by Lightstorm Entertainment to work on James Cameron’s Avatar. Dean has also worked at The Third Floor in Los Angeles, Weta Digital in New Zealand, and Disney Imagineering where he helped bring the world of Avatar to life for the Pandora Theme Park at Walt Disney World. Since 2016 Dean has been actively working as the Environment Supervisor on the next four Avatar Sequels.

Alan Chan, Blizzard

Senior Look Dev Artist

Alan Chan is a twenty-year visual effects veteran whose career spans multiple Clio advertising awards for outstanding visual effects in the commercial field, as well as work on three Academy Award-winning projects, including James Cameron’s “Titanic“, Peter Jackson’s “Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers” and Tim Burton’s “Alice in Wonderland“.

In addition to his high-caliber visual effects work, Alan is also an accomplished screenwriter and independent feature director. His science fiction screenplay “Ark” has garnered praise and awards from industry professionals, and his short-form feature “Postcards From The Future” has picked up multiple awards, including a Best Director award for Alan. His most recent directorial project  “Highflight” is a love letter to space exploration and is currently in the film festival circuit.

Working with the best teams in the industry has allowed Alan to finetune his skills and apply a critical visual component to the stories that he tells. Alan’s projects typically encompass a strong visual motif, which he uses to focus and shape the storyline, giving his work an epic, timeless feel.

Jeff Werner, Method Studios

Director of Digital Studio

Saham Ali, Falcon’s Creative Group

Director of Technology

Saham Ali is a Visual Effects Artist and IT Professional with over 17 years of experience in Television and Feature Film Production, as well as developing and managing IT solutions for studios and VFX schools. Saham was instrumental in turning a 14,000 core HPC into a public render farm and implemented and single handedly manages a large production facility with 250+ workstations.

Eddie Bonin, Netflix

Digital Production Executive, VFX

Eddie Bonin is an experienced VFX studio executive and VFX producer for scripted original television, having produced or managed over 250 hours of primetime TV programming. With 13 years of experience as a producer or manager in the entertainment industry, Eddie has been hired by some of the top studios and networks in Hollywood to oversee their visual effects — Netflix (Current), Hulu (2017-2018), MGM Studios (2016-2017), FX Networks (2016-2017), Marvel Studios (2016-2017), HBO (2015), and CBS (2015), Fox (2013-2016). Eddie has held a seat on the Special Visual Effects Executive Committee of the TV Academy since 2013, and is also an active member of the Visual Effects Society and Producers Guild of America. Eddie and his team have been nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Special Visual Effects for The Walking Dead – Season 2 (2012), and Visual Effects Society Awards for Legion – Season 1 (2018) and The First – Season 1 (2019).

Luis Cataldi, Epic Games

Global Education Evangelist

Luis Cataldi has been working in the computer graphic industry for more than 20+ years in a variety of roles from character rigger to FX artist. His work has appeared in television , music videos, theme parks, feature animated movies and AAA video games. Cataldi also served as one of the founding members of Kaos Studios in NYC as the art director. In the role, Cataldi art directed “Frontlines: Fuel of War” in 2007 and the initial development of “Homefront,” both of which were done with Unreal Engine 3.

Luis became impassioned with teaching in the late-1990s and conducted numerous workshops at The School of Visual Arts and as well as served as an instructor at New York University. He moved into the full-time role of Chair of the Interactive Design and Game Development department at the Savannah College of Art and Design where during his tenure, the SCAD game department won the national E3 College Game competition 2 years in a row for 2013 and 2014. Luis joined Epic Games in 2014 as Educational Evangelist working to build and promote an educational community surrounding UE4. In 2016, Luis was promoted to Director, Education & Learning Resources for the Unreal Engine.

Joey Morelli

Post Production Colorist, Editor, Motion Graphics Artist

Joey Morelli is an award-winning Post Production Specialist with over 20 years of experience in the Advertising, Broadcast Television, Video Game Development (AAA Titles), and Theme Park Media industries. He has worked as an Editor, Colorist, Compositor, Motion Graphics Designer and Visual FX Artist throughout the span of his career. He has worked with studios such as: Universal Creative, Disney Broadcast Productions & Live Entertainment, Electronic Arts – Tiburon (EA Sports), Golf Channel and more.

Todd Widup, Brud

Lead Rigging Artist

Over the last 20 years, Todd has worked on everything from Addy awarding-winning regional commercials, AAA-rated video games, Oscar-winning films, and Emmy-winning VR projects. He has worn many hats over the years working as a Modeler, Animator, Mocap Artist, Creature TD, and a CG Supervisor.