VFX and animation outfit Double Negative (DNEG) has announced the expansion of it’s animation arm across the North America and the UK after a series of strategic appointments.
Emile Ghorayeb joins DNEG as the head of animation in London. He was previously animation supervisor for Weta Digital on films including Alita: Battle Angel and War for the Planet of the Apes, for which he won an Annie Award for Outstanding Achievement for Character Animation in a Live Action Production, with 20 years of experience under his belt as an animator across film, TV, games and feature animation.
Also joining the team in London is VFX and creature animation specialist, Keith Roberts, who will serve as an animation director, having previously undertaken projects such as Avengers: Infinity War, Captain America: Civil War and Ant-Man among many others.
Spencer Cook also recently joined the VFX and animation team in Montréal, who previously worked in the animation department of Sony Pictures Imageworks for 14 years.
DNEG’s global head of animation Robyn Luckham said: “It’s a hugely exciting time for the VFX animation team here at DNEG, and I am particularly pleased to announce the appointments of Emile and Keith in London, and Spencer in Montréal. Their decades of experience in VFX will be of huge benefit to the team as we continue to grow, taking on bigger and more challenging projects.
“Aaron’s promotion is fully deserved and is testament to his hard work and dedication. He is an exceptional Animation Director who exudes positive energy and enthusiasm, and his contribution to the team over the last three years has been immense. Together, we are building an unbelievable force of VFX creatives who are all capable of driving DNEG’s ambition to become the leading studio in creature and character animation globally.”