LOS ANGELES - Computer animation and visual effects boutique Sway Studio (www.swaystudio.com) is in the middle of an expansion that will allow it to better service its growing high-end commercial client base. The studio has doubled the size of its production staff, hiring compositing supervisor Robert Nederhorst, animation supervisor Erik Gamache, digital artist Wayne England and producer Matt Winkel. Nederhorst, Gamache and Winkle all come to the facility from Digital Domain. England is a former freelancer who also once held a staff post at Digital Domain.
Sway's production space has also grown by 50 percent. The facility has added three new computer animation workstations, as well as added 30 processors to its render farm and upgraded its servers and internal network.
Over the past several months, Sway has been busy with commercial projects for Cingular, McDonald's, Jeep and Crisco.
"Word has gotten out about us and we've worked on some great projects," says principal/creative director Mark Glaser. "It's given us an opportunity to bring in new talent and to branch out in new directions. There are a lot of exciting things happening here."
Nederhorst brings broad experience as an effects supervisor and compositor to Sway with credits in feature films, commercials and music videos. After beginning his career with NewTek, he spent the past seven and a half years on staff at Digital Domain.
England has been working as a freelancer for the past six years. His recent work includes spots for Nokia with David La Chappelle, Bridgestone Tires and Old Navy. He?s held staff positions at Digital Domain, Planet Blue, Area 51 and Will Vinton Studios.
Gamache worked at Digital Domain for a total of five years in two stints dating back to 1998. In between, he held a staff post at DreamWorks.
And Winkel worked as a visual effects coordinator and producer at Digital Domain for five years, primarily on commercial projects. His recent credits include Coming Home, a spot promoting Disney's 50th anniversary.