DNEG has bolstered the episodic leadership team of Montreal announcing the promotion of Al Lopez to episodic head, Dan Charbit to executive VFX supervisor and hiring Daryl Shail as the team’s new executive producer.
“Our new leadership team in Montreal will allow us to bring a renewed focus to ensuring that our episodic offering is joined up across our locations. In their new roles, Al, Daryl and Dan will be collaborating closely with the leadership of our London episodic team, executive VFX supervisor Paul Riddle and executive producer Natalie Reid. Together, they’ll ensure that we are not just delivering the most highly-creative work in the industry as efficiently as possible, but also that we are creating a culture and identity for our global episodic teams that ensures we continue to win the best work and attract the best talent to come and join us. There are great things to come,” said global VFX production president Erika Burton.
Lopez was the executive producer for the episodic team in Montreal. In his new role, he will focus on expanding client relationships old and new, while continuing to oversee the episodic VFX work in Montreal with a focus on production. He will also take on the line management for the dedicated episodic core and VFX supervisors in Montreal.
Bringing over 25 years of experience to the role, Lopez previously served as VP of creative services at Stargate Studios before joining DNEG in 2019. His résumé includes Emmy and VES Award wins for his work on Nightmares & Dreamscapes: From the Stories of Stephen King ‘Battleground’ in 2007. His resume also included credits on shows such as The Walking Dead, Heroes, Narcos, 24, BlacKkKlansman and many others.
Charbit had overseen some of the biggest episodic productions as one of the talented VFX Supervisors. In the new role, he will work closely with the business development team and with the clients on the creative development of new projects.
The new executive VFX supervisor will be overseeing the creative management of all Montreal-led episodic shows. Charbit has led DNEG’s work in Montreal on shows such as Catch-22 (for which he received an Emmy nomination), Altered Carbon Season 2 and The Right Stuff.
He is currently supervising an exciting new episodic project which has not yet been announced.
Shail, who recently joined the team, brings 27 years of experience to the position with a career spanning forensic imaging, software development, and visual effects.
During his long career he has been an artist, a VFX supervisor and an executive producer, with credits including The Handmaid’s Tale, The Expanse, What We Do in the Shadows, The Haunting of Hill House and Star Trek: Discovery.
