Matt Wallin

This week on 8111 the tables are turned and my hero/mentor Kim Bromley interviews me about my career and background. I grew up in the Los Angeles suburbs in the 70’s and 80’s skateboarding and going to the movies. In 1992 I earned my degree in Cinema from San Francisco State University.

That same year, I began my career at George Lucas' Industrial Light and Magic where I worked for nearly a decade in the company’s computer graphics division. For over 25 years I have worked around the world at the top visual effects houses; Peter Jackson’s Weta Digital in New Zealand, Tippett Studio in Berkeley, Sony Pictures Imageworks in Los Angeles, Warner Bros. ESC Entertainment in California, Brainstorm Digital in New York, and the Moving Picture Company in Vancouver. My film credits include; The Mummy, Twister, Star Wars: The Special Editions, Matrix Reloaded and Matrix Revolutions, Hellboy, Constantine, King Kong, Watchmen, and Jurassic Park: The Lost World.

Outside of Hollywood, I served as the Visual Effects Supervisor for American artist Matthew Barney's five-part Cremaster Cycle and the follow up experimental film, Drawing Restraint 9 staring Icelandic pop star Bjork.

I am the host of the 8111 (Eighty-one Eleven) podcast. Each episode is a conversation with a guest who worked at George Lucas' Industrial Light and Magic during its 40+ year history. Guests discuss their journeys and career paths, and how working at ILM changed them. I'm also the co-host of FX Guide's VFX Show podcast listened to by visual effects professionals, fans, and aspiring artists from all over the world.

Today I am the senior full-time faculty and Chair in the department of Communication Arts in the School of the Arts at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia. I teach numerous courses specializing in 3D computer graphics, visual effects, and the creative application of emerging digital technologies. http://mattwallin.com/

Me and Kim Bromley at the Empire 40th VFX crew reunion at the old ILM

With the amazingly cool Jeff Mann

One of my favorite artists, Kim Smith…

With Ned Gorman and Marty Brennis

At my old desk in D-Bldg at ILM. Office mate Craig Hammack in the background. Marshall Krasser and Jeff Doran not pictured but always in the mix.

Reference photo for something in the Art Department during my internship. Photo by Mark Moore.

Stormtrooper costume fitting.

With Ty Ellingson and pal John Girodo. Our 90’s emo band photo…actually we made some films and music videos together.

With super pal Kay Rough on the lot at ILM. Jules Mann chillin’ in the bg.

1994 Lucasfilm AidsWalk team.

With old office mate and pal Andy Bronzo at a bar in the Mission circa 1996.

Drinks with Jaqui Lopez and Trish Schutz-Krause.

Chrissy, before we started dating on the Chrysler lobby set for Cremaster 3. Barney in the center.

Shooting at the Guggenheim with Matthew Barney and Richard Serra.

With my other mentor and good pal Dan McNamara at Siggraph 2019.

Siggaph 2019 with Russell Earl.

MARS 2019 in Palm Springs with Dennis Muren and John Knoll.

With Scott Leberecht at the Empire 40th party.

With Chrissy in her artist studio in Redhook Brooklyn 2001 right after we started dating.

My main man Thor as a little guy with Chrissy in Duck, NC.

At the Richmond Flying Squirrels game circa 2010…

My giant egg head.

Me and my lifelong hero, my sister Amie.

The millennial new year. Partying cause it really was 1999. Alamos, Mexico

Me and Chrissy on our honeymoon in the Orkney Islands, September 2001.

When I fell in love with my best friend Chrissy.