Visual effects artists Shant Jordan, Shahen Jordan, and Ken Gust are launching a new Burbank-based visual effects boutique, Synaptic VFX.
Burbank, CA --
Visual effects artists Shant Jordan, Shahen Jordan and Ken Gust are launching a new Burbank-based visual effects boutique, Synaptic VFX. The company is well-positioned to provide VFX design, production, 3D stereo conversion and DI services for feature films, commercials and 3D stereo conversion productions.
The team represents a synergy of the critical skill sets for successful visual effects production; aesthetic vision, creative talent, mastery of complex CGI and compositing, along with digital workflow, DI, and editorial for finishing finesse. Opening their own business is the logical next step for the partners who greatly value their extensive experience working with so many of L.A.’s top VFX companies. Shant’s body of work supervising and producing visual effects reaches throughout the genres of feature film and television series and video games, while Shahen is best known for his extraordinary artistry in the arena of matte painting, concept art and environmental design. Gust adds his experience in the critical areas of post supervision including DI workflow, stereoscopic conversion and finishing to balance the leadership mix.
This seasoned team offers their specialization in matte painting, concept design and virtual environment development to the earliest stages of production design and pre-visualization. This focal point for the firm combines the Jordan brothers’ complementary skill sets: Shahen’s gifted fine art and painting talents with Shant’s dexterity in 3D CGI and compositing. Notable, recent credits in this arena include the majestically detailed, planetary Earth-scapes for The Green Lantern, and a stylized series of environments for Tim Burton’s Alice In Wonderland 3D. Core plans for the studio include building upon these strengths to form a “serious art department” to reinforce Synaptic VFX being known as a go-to, creative shop.
Years working within the visual effects industry has informed Synaptic’s choice of service offerings. The partners have earned a positive reputation for knowing how to “make it happen” by reliably delivering sequences to meet clients’ expectations, budgets and deadlines. As a result, the new company is poised as an ideal resource available for integrating into productions in a variety of roles; to develop concepts, execute visions or to answer calls for help. Synaptic VFX accommodates a full array of VFX production and post services including:
- Two dedicated editing bays fully equipped for audio editing and mixing, online conform, color grading, and digital delivery; working with 4K and stereo 3D material in real-time
- Compositing services, including projection, camera tracking, and stereo 3D match moves
- On-set supervision of VFX, motion capture, green/blue screen
- Pre-visualization animatics including depth plans for stereo 3D sequences
- Shot and sequence review in the on-site 2D/3D screening room
- 3D stereography and 2D-to-3D stereoscopic conversion for feature films and television series
On board as executive producer, VFX and 3D Stereo veteran Rebecca Ramsey acknowledges the key specialties of the Synaptic team, noting, “It’s exciting to see the partners combining their individual strengths, especially in concept art and environment creation, into a united force. They know what it takes to execute and deliver a client’s vision and their capabilities are backed by their track record of strong aesthetics and solid delivery. They’ve done it for other companies and now that they are doing it for their own studio, their productions will be even more infused with their talents”.
The Burbank location was strategically selected for both its proximity to the major motion picture studios and for its direct access to high-speed digital wiring and infrastructure to support the company's delivery of large-scale 4K and 3D stereo files.
The group has taken the studio’s design a step further to create an environment that will serve as a home base or a landing stop for their clients. The open floor plan includes well-thought areas ranging from a convertible screening room/lounge which can be enclosed by automated, Bond-esque, black-out curtains. Synaptic’s also offers clients a stage for motion capture, green screen and insert shoots. There’s even a designated music area for clients and employees to unwind in spontaneous jam sessions. Originally designed by the partners in CGI, so they could better envision the studio within their most native format, areas are accented with several unique artistic touches designed by Shahen such as custom iron work, decorative sculptures and a signature graffiti mural installation.
Formerly Editor-in-Chief of Animation World Network, Jennifer Wolfe has worked in the Media & Entertainment industry as a writer and PR professional since 2003.
