About
xRez Studio is a creative imaging studio pioneering new methods to capture and convey natural, urban, and imagined landscapes, striving to educate, illuminate, and persuade.
We are a creative imaging and visual effects practice which explores the intersection of high-end computer graphics and advances in digital photography. Helping pioneer the methodology and application of extreme resolution gigapixel photography for five years before the advent of the GigaPan, xRez Studio has produced several hundred gigapixel images for various sectors such as national park interpretation, geologic research, real estate marketing, feature film visual effects, and cultural heritage documentation. New technologies arising in computational photography such as multi-spectral imaging, photogrammetry, terrain modeling, photo-clouds, polynomial texture mapping, and high-end feature film visual effects techniques allow xRez Studio to provide compelling and unprecedented visual solutions toward socially meaningful projects. xRez Studio principals Eric Hanson and Greg Downing share an enthusiasm for applying computer graphics to projects which can help educate, illuminate or persuade. Whether recreating historic events in film, revealing complex processes in scientific visualization, or illustrating environmental change, xRez Studio can offer powerful leverage for filmmakers, companies, scientific researchers, or activists.
Eric Hanson is a visual effects designer specializing in the creation of digital environments. Having worked with leading visual effects houses such as Digital Domain, Sony Imageworks, Dream Quest Images, and Walt Disney Feature Animation, his work can be seen in “The Day After Tomorrow”, “Cast Away”, “Mission to Mars”, “Fantasia 2000”, and “The Fifth Element”, among others. He is currently a partner of xRez Studio, a practice engaged in leveraging emerging graphics technologies to disparate markets, including natural history, cultural heritage, and entertainment. He has authored four educational DVDs on digital environments for The Gnomon Workshop, as well as having published two books on Maya technique. He is also an Associate Professor at the USC School of Cinematic Arts, leading their curriculum in visual effects. Eric is a member of the VES, IVRPA, PMA, ACM/Siggraph and attended the University of Texas at Austin. He wishes he could sleep more.
Greg Downing specializes in image-based 3D technologies and computational photography techniques. His photographic work has been displayed in some of the nations most prestigious museums including the American Museum of Natural History, the Cincinnati Art Museum, the Denver Museum of Nature and Science and the Tech Museum. He has worked on the development of photogrammetry and stitching software at Realviz and in film production as a technical director at Rhythm & Hues and Sony Pictures Imageworks on “Narnia”, “Spiderman 3″ and “I am Legend”. He teaches at Gnomon School for Visual Effects and has published professional training DVDs on photogrammetry and panoramic stitching. He has presented at professional conferences for both photographers and visual effects artists.
- twitter: @gregdowning
- http://www.gregdowning.com/
Ethan Summers is a multidisciplinary artist whose focuses include Scientific Visualization, CGI and Interactive Design. With over 20 years experience in a wide range of related disciplines Ethan has worked in feature film as a digital environment and workflow specialist, in interactive production as a conceptual designer and art director, and in medical visualization as an independent studio. He has worked with clients including Prime Focus Films, Sony, NASA, Sundance Films, Shilo, Mattel, Microsoft, Electronic Arts, Hewlett Packard, Disney, Viacom Interactive, Hasbro, Coca Cola and IBM. He has international work experience in Mexico, Japan and the USA. When time allows he is also a fine artist working in abstract painting and sculpted art cars. Ethan can often be found riding his bicycle and dreaming of a carbon neutral world.
Olafur Harraldson joined xRez as an Intern in January of 2010 from Iceland and has been cranking out incredible work ever since. He is an accomplished panoramic photographer and has ninja Arduino skills. He is getting his MA in Interaction Design from the Kolding School of Design in Denmark.
