Global creative company Alkemy X continues to expand its visual effects team with the additions of Jeff Hipolito as IT and VFX head and Jimmy Smith as VFX compositor. These new team members build on Alkemy X’s dramatic growth in Los Angeles, along with recent expansions to Singapore, Vancouver and Toronto.
With over two decades of IT and VFX experience, Hipolito earned a reputation for diligence under intense pressure, recently developing a specialty creating and optimizing software systems and privacy protocols for VFX companies. Smith boasts a vast knowledge of editing and production experience, most recently working as a compositor at another top VFX house.
“As our award-winning visual effects team is constantly embracing new technologies, processes and workflows to elevate visuals on projects of all scopes and sizes, security and privacy are as important to us as remaining at the top of our craft. Jeff is a key addition to our team that will allow us to continue to take our VFX to the next level. And Jimmy fits squarely within our strategy to ensure the absolute best artistic talent on our already incredibly deep bench,” said Alkemy X president and CEO Justin Wineburgh.
Originally from Australia, Jeff Hipolito entered IT with self-taught knowledge gleaned from poring over computer magazines and building his own desktop video editing machines, at the state-of-the-art resolution of 320×240 pixels, in the early 90s. His foundation in IT comes from a wealth of experience in various financial industry roles before he pivoted to unite his passion and expertise in VFX. Always pushing himself, Jeff creates his own animations and independent short films while experimenting with new technologies. Within the VFX space, Jeff has worked at a number of studios, spearheading the intricate IT needs of the fast-paced post-production world. He is a graduate of esteemed NYU Film School, and also holds an associate’s degree from CUNY in multimedia programming.
Starting out as an editing intern at Troma Entertainment, Jimmy Smith’s career progressed quickly through the film industry. A graduate of CUNY in visual effects, and Arts University Bournemouth, he is skilled in managing, editing and compositing. In his most recent position, Jimmy climbed the ladder from intern to compositor in just three years, lending his talents on top series including the Netflix documentary series Colin in Black & White and the Fox procedural drama 9-1-1.
