I'm a Hollywood-based 3D animator and VFX artist with 15+ years of professional experience,
and training from Gnomon School of Visual Effects. I bring a deep understanding of both the design
and technical aspects of 3D animation and VFX pipelines. I'm passionate about continuously exploring
new techniques, tools, and approaches that push boundaries and enhance established workflows.
I believe in leveraging the strengths of technology to find the right balance between intention and automation,
but never losing sight of the human touch that makes many pieces of art so beautiful.
As a versatile digital artist, I rely on a diverse range of software to bring my creative visions to life.
I specialize in Maya for its broad 3D capabilities, Nuke for VFX compositing, and After Effects for 2D animation.
This allows me to produce a wide range of visual styles, while retaining a high degree of refinement and control.
I enhance my workflows with a background in graphic design, illustration, and editing, using tools such as
(but not limited to) Photoshop, Illustrator, and Resolve.
Via Email: plarson3d (at) gmail (dot) com
Technical Blog: http://plarson3d.tumblr.com/
Instagram: @peterlarson3d
LinkedIn: Peter Larson
This reel showcases my 3D animation and compositing work for the short film “Celestial Misconduct”.
I independently completed the 3D and VFX pipelines for the film.
The highlight of the project for me was designing the UFO uncloaking effect, using a volumetric simulation and
procedural system created with Maya, SOuP, and OpenVDB. The smoke volume expands, transfers to an outer shell,
undergoes diffusion through a reaction-diffusion system, and finally forms a web that breaks apart as the ship reveals itself.
This series of animations highlights the features of MyndScape, an innovative mobile EEG, VR, machine learning, and mental training system. Through the use of 2D motion graphics, 3D animation, and custom procedural systems, these animations present the ideas behind MyndScape. The machine learning component of the system would provide personalized mental training by analyzing EEG wave information, making MyndScape a unique and potentially powerful tool for enhancing mental wellbeing.
Close Project Next ProjectThis reel showcases my 2D and 3D animation work on a project that presents PanoAI's wildfire detection system. The system utilizes cameras, satellites, and AI to alert first responders to wildfires. I recreated the topography of the 2018 Paradise CA wildfire from satellite data, and created a 3D animation of the fire. I took the project from research and design, to simulation, rendering, and compositing. I also animated a demo of their system using screenshots.
Close Project Next ProjectThis 3D animation reel showcases my work on a visualization of Robert Gaunt's shell sphere model of the universe. This model presents the universe as a series of shells made of black holes, with the universe starting from a single black hole that expands and collapses into concentric shells. The observable universe is believed to be absorbed into one of these shells. My collaboration with Robert aimed to achieve a harmonious balance between scientific accuracy and creative inspiration.
This reel features a selection of 3D animations that I created for Ed Dudensing's elder abuse law firm.
I was responsible for fully realizing the animation pipelines of each project, from researching the subject matters,
to asset creation, animation, dynamics, rendering, and final compositing.
The first animation was used to communicate the devastation caused by improper care when administering antibiotics,
leading to a deadly antibiotic resistance. The second animation visualizes the impact of improper care that led to a
blocked catheter and the introduction of bacteria to the bloodstream.
I completed various animations for a series of Dudensing's court cases, one of which concluded with $5.9 million in
compensatory damages and $25 million in punitive damages. A significant win for proper medical and elder care in the US.
This reel showcases my 3D animation work creating an animated environment for Jerod S. Rivera's ambient electronica album "Virgo". I designed an animated forest environment, an abstract procedurally animated mesh, and did camera animation, lighting, and rendering. I also designed a version for print that he used for his album cover. It was a pleasure working with Jerod to translate his ideas into these renderings.
This reel showcases my 3D and compositing work on the comedy short "Shut Up, Ghost", written and directed by Kevin Bible. I completed the full 3D and VFX pipelines for the short. Using green screen footage I design an ethereal appearance for the ghost and integrate the actor into various shots. I animated and rendered a portal opening in the basement, rendered custom volumetrics, and animated a book floating across the room.
Close Project Next ProjectThis animation showcases an underwater environment and character that I created. The character was modeled, rigged, and animated using Maya, and it was enhanced with custom details achieved through the use of SOuP nodes and dynamics. A volumetric simulation was used to create the dust cloud, and the final sequence was rendered with Arnold.
Close Project Next ProjectThis reel showcases my mastery utilizing procedural animation techniques across a range of projects. With over a decade of experience using the nodal SOuP toolset for Maya, I have honed my skills in manipulating data within the Maya processing graph. My expertise with this toolset provides me with unique and creative approaches to leveraging Maya's powerful tools, granting degrees of control often only seen in software packages like Houdini.
Close Project Next ProjectThis VFX reel features a series of effects and a 3D sign replacement that I created for the short film "I Love Your Guts", directed by David Janove. I animated, tracked, composited, and painted various elements, including a receipt spike that goes through the hand, blood splatters, and a window reflection. I also created a design that was embroidered onto shirts and hats that were used throughout the film. The film has been showcased on Short of the Week.
Close Project Next ProjectThis video showcases my previsualization of a game show set. I was tasked with bringing a rough sketch to life, which I accomplished through the use of Photoshop for layout (shown below) and Maya for modeling. I animated the camera for a series of shots, set up shaders, and handled the lighting and rendering. Although I was not hired for editing, I later combined the shots to create the above video.
I completed the VFX compositing for the feature film "Lee'd the Way", directed by Richard L. Anderson.
I matte painted two storefronts, animated the ocean and cruise ship, and combined all elements using compositing techniques.
It was a pleasure working with Richard on his film. Richard is best known for his exceptional sound effects editing in
iconic films such as Star Wars, Raiders of the Lost Ark, The Lion King, and Planet of the Apes.
I completed the 3D animation and VFX compositing pipeline for an Autodesk commercial that introduces AutoCAD 2023.
I designed a system for dynamically animating wireframesusing cloth simulations, procedural tools and scripting.
I also completed shading, lighting, rendering, camera tracking and compositing.
A highlight of this project was establishing a workflow that could create unique wireframe animations for a range
of base objects while remaining visually consistent.
This reel showcases my work doing character rigging, animation and cloth simulations, for a commercial where an
anthropomorphic paper character glides through various scenes. I designed the character and rigged it to be able to roll,
turn, jump, show surprise and to react. I used cloth simulations to create dynamic secondary movement.
I set up digital cameras for each shot and animated the character through each environment.
The final result was achieved by collaboration with Raconteur Animation Studio, who did the rendering and compositing.
I enjoyed designing a rig for this unusual character, and discovering ways to exude particular emotions.
This reel showcases my VFX work on the horror short film "Night of the Bride", written and directed by Virat Pal.
I painted, tracked, and animated facial augmentations to transform each victim as they succumb to a deadly touch.
With the use of distortion effects I further enhanced the unsettling nature of the shots.
I added a fiery blaze to augment the eyes of the bride, intensifying her anger and supernatural ability.
I consulted with Virat during pre-production to plan practical makeup and the ideal workflow for the digital effects.
It was a pleasure working with Virat to realize his gruesome vision for the shots.
The short was awarded Scariest Short in the Overlook Film Festival.
This reel showcases my animation and compositing work on synthetic irises for a number of shots in Jon Munoz's short film, "Void."
Close Project Next ProjectThis reel showcases my work creating a 3D scene for projection onto a cliff in Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada by David Westphal. The video shows David's projection in Valley of Fire and an alternate lightning version. I completed the 3D pipeline independently, which involved designing a cliffside environment, simulated fractures and a waterfall, animated growing plants, and completed shading, lighting, rendering, compositing and sound effects.
Close Project Next ProjectA series of visuals for DJ AYDIN, using a combination of 2D and 3D animation.
A 3D animation of custom characters for the music artist G Jones, on his Ineffable Truth Tour.
Abstract animation, generated in various ways and timed to music.
Close Project Next Project
