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| Aaron Powell |
Aaron Powell, a CG and VFX Supervisor at Los Angeles-based Sway Studio (www.swaystudio), also has experience as a visual effects supervisor on commercials, music videos, attraction films, feature films, large format films, and interactive games. Starting his career at Westwood Studios, Aaron pioneered Westwood’s 3D animation department and supervised the production of popular game titles such as Dune 2, Command and Conquer and Blade Runner. He recently worked on the Nine Inch Nails (NIN) music video "Only" which won several VES Awards. Other work credits include CF and VFX works for Disney Video, Stargate 3000—a simulator experience based on MGM’s long running SG-1 television series, the Batman ride at WB theme parks, Stan Lee’s 7th Portal 3D Simulation Experience, the traveling attraction Star Trek World Tour, Meteor Attack (a large-format ride film for a Japanese amusement park), Ride the Records—a large format ride film created for Guinness World of Records Attractions, and 1001 Nights—a piece for the L.A. Philharmonic’s Filmharmonic project.
Sessions School of Game Art advisory board member Jolene Spry spoke with Aaron about his career and life.
Q: You're currently with Sway Studio as CG and VFX Supervisor. What is your job like and what types of projects do you work on?
Aaron: I mostly supervise a lot of photorealistic car commercials, though occasionally we also do music videos and other projects. We just finished a Hyundai commercial that is being aired nationwide.
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| Batman and associated characters and elements are trademarks of DC Comics. |
Q: What's your favorite project that you've worked on?
Aaron: The Stargate 3000 attraction that I did while at Blur Studio is probably my favorite. I was the co-creator, co-director, VFX, and CG supervisor on it. Needless to say, I put a lot of myself into it and it turned out great!
Q: What's your favorite part of your job?
Aaron: When the project is in full swing and things are hectic, to be challenged by the day to day craziness, but I thrive on it. I love trying to make calm in a sea of chaos.
Q: You've been in the industry for 17 years. How did you get to where you're at in your career? Where did you start out?
Aaron: I started as a 2D artist at a game studio in Las Vegas called Westwood Studios. They turned into one of the top game studios of the 90's. I showed them right away that I could lead and they gave me the lead role on my second project that I ever worked on. Since then I have been the lead/supervisor on many huge titles ending with Blade Runner before I left Westwood to move to LA and start working with Blur. I spent eight years with Westwood and another six with Blur.
Q: You've done everything from video games, film and commercials to ride and attraction films for theme parks. Which is more exciting to you?
Aaron: I love attraction films and commercials. You have to tell a story and excite the audience in just four minutes with a ride film, and commercials go by so quickly that you are onto the next one before you know it.
Q: Are there other mediums you'd like to work in that you haven't had a chance to yet?
Aaron: Not really. I have worked in just about everything except IMAX, and I don't need to deal with 4K plates.
Q: You're also a photographer. How did you get into photography? What do you shoot?
Aaron: My girlfriend is a model and I used to go to her shoots as a chaperone. I got to study the style of so many photographers and learned so much more about lighting and composition. I started taking artistic pics with a simple little point and shoot and then I’d edit the pictures in Photoshop.
Right away my photographer friends said that they really liked what I did with the images and that inspired me to shoot more and eventually get better and better cameras and equipment.
I shoot a lot of fitness and glamour. Both are so fun to shoot and I know some truly great people to shoot. Recently, I started shooting cars, thanks to the work that I have been doing at Sway. I have been told that my work is very nice so far, so I plan on shooting a lot more cars in the future.
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| "Sky Cool" Saturn Sky |
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Q: Are there aspects of your work as a photographer that help you when you're working on CG and VFX projects?
Aaron: I have learned so much more about lighting and composition from my photography work that I have been able to implement what I’ve learned into my 3D work as well.
Q: How do you manage balancing two careers at once?
Aaron: 3D is what I love to do and it's how I pay my bills. Photography is a passion that I fit into the evenings and weekends. Yes, I am a very busy person!
Q: I'm sure that means many sleepless nights. What's your poison of choice, coffee or Red Bull?
Aaron: I love Vietnamese coffee. That stuff is so strong you'll leave sweat marks on the seat after drinking it. I also drink ZIP FIZZ every day as well.
Q: I'm sure in the fields you're get to meeting lots of interesting and inspiring people, right? Who has been the most influential on you?
Aaron: I have to say the various creative directors that I have worked for: Louis Castle, Tim Miller, and currently Mark Glazer. I have learned a great deal from each of them and I feel it has helped me understand things far more than most supervisors out there.
Q: Are you a Mac or PC person?
Aaron: PC all the way. I need my 2 buttons and a wheel. I can't work with just one button. Not to mention, the games I play still don't come out for the Mac, or if they do, they come out about a year later.
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| Stargate 3000 |
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Q: Do you get the opportunity to travel for work? Do you enjoy it?
Aaron: I've had the opportunity to travel all over the world and I love it. I've been on-set at Stargate SG1 in Vancouver, spoken at a conference in Copenhagen and at a commencement ceremony in Tempe. I also worked in Bombay for a month.
Q: CG and VFX in any industry have long development cycles. How do you feel when you've completed a project?
Aaron: I'm proud of what we accomplished. I love to show it off to my friends and family and I look forward to my next challenge.
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Aaron Powell received an Honorary Doctorate for his work in developing curriculums at several Universities in Nevada, Arizona, and California. Aaron is currently working on several commercial projects for Sway Studio, while having just completed supervising visual effects for “Drumline,” a CG Hyundai commercial that is set to air nationwide.
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