About me
German de Benito
FX Supervisor & VFX trainer
I am an Effects Artist and edTech entrepreneur with a strong focus on destruction FX. My specialties include creating dust, fire, smoke, debris, particles, fluids, and rigid body dynamics.
I have professional experience as an FX Lead and FX Supervisor, where I have guided teams, overseen complex projects, and ensured the delivery of high-quality effects work.
In addition, as a personal side project, I have been privately mentoring FX artists for the past five years, helping individuals grow their technical skills, artistic abilities, and career development.
Passionate and driven, I thrive on learning, tackling new challenges, and expanding my skill set. I have a proven ability to quickly master new software and technologies, paired with a creative, problem-solving mindset.
As a VFX instructor, I have taught Maya and Houdini, and I also bring solid knowledge of related disciplines such as modeling, rigging, texturing, and compositing.
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Experience
Last update: 10/2023
FXDailies|Studio
FX Supervisor / Mentor / Founder(2024-2025)
Tasks
- Developing and maintaining the production pipeline using Python and Kitsu.
- Creating courses and learning materials tailored to FX artists.
- Preparing sequences and shots for students to work on, ensuring they simulate real production scenarios.
- Leading dailies sessions to review student work, provide feedback, and guide artistic and technical improvements.
Squeeze Animation Studios
FX Supervisor / Head of FX(2023-2024)
Projects
- Treasure Trekkers - Feauterd animation
Framestore
Lead FX TD(2023)
Projects
- Imaginary Friends
ON Animation Studios
Lead FX TD(2022-2023)
Projects
- Ladybug & Cat Noir: The Movie
Framestore
Senior FX TD(2019-2022)
Projects
- His Dark Matters (season 3)
- White Noise
- The School for Good and Evil
- Doctor Strange: In The Multiverse of Madness
- Moonfall
- Spiderman: No way Home
- Army of the Dead
- The Midnight Sky
- The Tomorrow War
Umedia VFX
Senior FX TD(2019)
Projects and Tasks
Cloth simulation
- Breaking Surface
- Blithe Spirit
Sony Pictures Imageworks
Senior FX TD(2019)
Projects and Tasks
Creating different types of effects, particles, fire, smoke, dust and others.
- Angry Birds 2
Umedia VFX
Senior FX TD(2018-2019)
Projects and Tasks
Creating different types of effects: Volumetric and destruction effects (RBD, fire, explosions and smoke)
- Guns Akimbo
- Mortal
RodeoFX Munich
Senior FX Artist(2018)
Projects and Tasks
I joined RodeoFX in Munich after leaving Montreal, my tasks includes creating sand and dust simulations.
- Aquaman
Technicolor
FX learning lead(2018)
Projects and Tasks
As FX Learning Lead my task at the Technicolor Academy includes reviewing demo reels of the canditates and interview them.
Sony Pictures Imageworks
Senior FX TD(2018)
Projects and Tasks
I joined Sony Imageworks in Vancouver to help the FX team completing some of the scenes that required tons of destruction effects. Most of the tasks include RBD simulations, debris and dust.
- Hotel Transilvania 3
Cinesite Studios
Senior FX TD(2017-2018)
Projects and Tasks
Cinesite London offered me the chance to enjoy working on some of the coolest projects, from Thor:Ragnarok where I had the chance to help Image Engine crafting some cool shots to Avengers: Infinity War.
Some of my task includes Destruction RBD ,liquids , dust and smoke effects.
- Thor: Ragnarok
- Avengers: Infinity War
- Robin Hood
Windmill Lane VFX
Senior FX TD(2016-2017)
Projects and Tasks
Working on a small VFX studio like WindmillLane offered me the chance to work on the most interesting and challenging effects and take more responsavilities.
Some of my task include, Destruction effects, RBD, debris , smoke and explosions. Help other artist move to Houdini.
- The Ash Lad
- The King's Choice
Ilion Animation Studios
FX artist(2016)
Projects and Tasks
My first experience in featured animation offered me the chance to work on more stylized effects.
Some of my task include, Destruction effects, RBD, debris and dust.
- Wonder Park
Windmill Lane VFX
FX TD(2016)
Projects and Tasks
Working on a small VFX studio like WindmillLane offered me the chance to work on the most interesting and challenging effects and take more responsavilities.
Some of my task include, Destruction effects, RBD, debris , smoke and explosions.
- The Siege of Jadotville
Nurbs 3D School
VFX Trainer(2011)
Projects and Tasks
Teaching and sharing knowledge is one of my passions. As VFX Trainer I had the opportunity to create courses and learning content mainly focused on FX with Houdini
Education
Last update: 08/2018
LAI Escola superior de disseny
1997 - 2000
Field: Industrial Design
CGSociety.com
2012 - 2017Courses
Some of the courses I took at CGWorkshops as part of my continue training.
- Intermediate To Advanced Techniques In V-Ray (2012)
- Realistic Character Texture Painting In Mari 2.0 (2013)
- Rigging The Body (2013)
- Advanced FumeFX (2014) Allan McKay
- Fluids FX Using Houdini (2014) Spencer Lueders
- Destruction In Houdini (2014) Pawel Grochola
- Destruction Dynamics (2014) Allan McKay
- Animal Skin & Scales In Mari 2.6 (2014) Alwyn Hunt
- Feature Film Destruction In Maya (2014) Allan McKay
- Houdini Pyro FX In Film Production (2014) Ruben mayor
- Animation for Crowds (2015) Scott Raymond
- Scripting & Tool Development for Maya (2015) Nico Sanghrajka
- Abstract Effects in Houdini (2016) Niels Prayer
- Mastering Destruction an Art-directing Damage (2016) Keith Kamholz
- VEX in Houdini (2016) Shawn Lipowski
Others
2012 - nowContinue training.
As a VFX Artist and Trainer it's very important to never stop learning and keep myself updated with the latest topics and trends.
- FXPHD.com - Various courses related to Houdini
- Rebelway.net - Mastering Pyro FX in Houdini
- CGcircuit.com - Applied Houdini Series - Steven Knipping
Software & Skills
My favorite toys
KEY SPECIALTIES
- RIGID BODY DYNAMICS
With a special interest in Destruction FX one of my specialties it's Rigid Bodies simulation.
- FLUID DYNAMICS
Creating Dust, Smoke, Fire and liquid simulations.
- PARTICLE DYNAMICS
Particles are always a great companion for other simulation effects. Adding detail to Destruction FX simulating small debris or in fluids simulation.
- SCRIPTING
With a background in web development it was easy for me to jump into VFX languages like MEL, PYTHON or VEX.
- TEXTURING
Along with visual effects, texturing is one of my favorite disciplines. From day one MARI became my choice as painting tool and I always have fun when it's time for texture painting.
SOFTWARE
- HOUDINI
- MAYA
- NUKE
- MARI
- ZBRUSH
- REALFLOW
- PHOTOSHOP