Derek Spears
Visual Effects Supervisor
Derek Spears is currently leading the Rhythm & Hues creative team on “Red Riding Hood,” a psychological thriller for Warner Bros. Pictures slated for release in 2011. Most recently, Derek served as the R&H visual effects supervisor on “The Wolf Man” for Universal Pictures. His credits for R&H include a number of technically challenging projects, among them “The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor,” “Superman Returns,” “Flight of the Phoenix,” “Around the World in 80 Days” and “Daredevil.”
In 2002, Derek was the R&H visual effects supervisor for “The Sum of All Fears,” which received the Visual Effects Society award for Best Supporting Visual Effects in a Live Action Motion Picture. Derek’s credits at R&H also include digital effects supervision on “Little Nicky,” “Anna & The King” and “The Astronaut’s Wife.”
Prior to joining R&H in 1999, Derek supervised digital work for VIFX on “The X-Files” movie, “Mouse Hunt,” “Face/Off” and “Jingle All the Way.” In the commercial production arena, Derek’s spots include Hostess’ “Batula” at R&H, Dodge “Imprint” at VIFX, as well as Nike’s Clio Award-winning “Virtual Andre” for Digital Domain.
Earlier in his career, Derek founded Cinesite’s 3D computer graphics group, and participated in the development of the Cineon™ compositing system. Derek holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Texas A&M University. He is certified in SCUBA and skydiving and holds a private pilot’s license.
Derek is a member of the Visual Effects branch of the Academy of Motion PIcture Arts & Sciences.