Hinge Digital Officially Launches Full-service 3D Animation
and VFX Facility
July 15, 2010
Source: Hinge Digital
Hinge Digital announces
its official debut as a premier full-service 3D animation
and visual effects studio.
Founded by Roland Gauthier, Michael Kuehn and Alex Tysowsky,
Hinge Digital offers over four decades of combined experience
in high-quality photo-real CG and character animation at renowned
studios including Walt Disney Feature Animation, Sony Imageworks
and Laika Entertainment.
Based in Portland, Ore., Hinge Digital has operated under
strategic development since 2009. During this time, the company
has produced commercial campaigns and interactive projects
for clients and advertising agencies including Target, Nike,
Microsoft Bing, AKQA/SF and Razorfish Inc.
In collaboration with Zimmerman Advertising, Hinge Digital
created the fully 3D animated Sales Guide "hh,"
for home appliance and electronics retailer hhgregg. To date,
the team has produced more than 20 commercials for the campaign,
now in its second year.
Extending its presence throughout the entertainment industry,
Hinge Digital also specializes in the development of film
and television properties based on original content from graphic
novel and creature-feature genres.
Roland Gauthier, Founder and Executive Producer
Roland Gauthier provides a wealth of experience
both as a supervisor and a solutions-oriented production artist
within the commercial and film industries. With over 10 years
of VFX experience, he has worked on prominent projects and
brands including M&M's, Honda, Microsoft and Henry Selick's
award-winning animated short, Moongirl.
A founder of Hinge Digital, Gauthier serves as the company's
Executive Producer, focusing his talents on business development,
budget maintenance and creative direction. Additionally, he
stays current with tools and techniques through regular involvement
in hands-on production.
Joining the ranks of Will Vinton Studios' Commercial Division,
now Laika/house, he began as a Character Technical Director,
quickly advancing to Senior Technical Director and taking
lead on dozens of commercials for companies including Wrigley's,
Cheerios and Cox Communications.
Gauthier was promoted to CG Department Manager of Laika/house
where he oversaw a crew of twenty regular and project staff,
managed departmental budgeting and resource allocation, and
directed the development of new tools, techniques and internal
projects. In collaboration with in-house producers and directors,
he developed bids and helped determine the scope of commercial
projects.
Michael Kuehn, Founder and Visual Effects
Supervisor
Showcasing a diverse background in digital content creation
for the commercial, feature film and video game industries,
Michael Kuehn offers nearly 20 years of expertise ranging
from previsualization to asset development and animation.
A founder of Hinge Digital, Kuehn's creative sensibility,
technical proficiency, and managerial skill fuel his ability
to serve as the company's Visual Effects Supervisor. Additionally,
he performs a variety of tasks from creative direction and
pipeline creation to team management and business development.
Since establishing his career as a Senior Animator at Simex
Digital Studios, Kuehn has held multiple high-ranking roles
at studios including Walt Disney Feature Animation, Sony Pictures
Imageworks and Laika Entertainment.
Combining an in-depth understanding of design with end-to-end
production knowledge, Kuehn has established himself as a trend-setting
visionary within the industry. With an extreme passion for
compelling animation and visual effects, he has lent his talents
to many titles including Armageddon, Dinosaur, Reign of Fire,
Chicken Little and Surf's Up.
Alex Tysowsky, Founder and Animation Director
A true veteran within the visual effects and animation industry,
Alex Tysowsky has created stunning animation for over a dozen
feature films including the Academy Award-winning projects
Spiderman 2 and The Chubbchubbs! As a founder of Hinge Digital,
Tysowsky utilizes his remarkable skill set to serve as the
company's Animation Director. He additionally maintains a
hand in all business aspects ranging from client relations
to industry research and development.
With nearly two decades of professional experience, Tysowsky
began his career as an animator with Walt Disney Feature Animation,
working with studio classics Fantasia 2000, Dinosaur and The
Emperor's New Groove.
Later, he joined the Sony Pictures Imageworks team as a Senior
Animator to help in the early stages of production, defining
animation styles and developing character personality tests
for the animated features Harry Potter, Open Season, and The
Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.
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