Rushes appoint leading VFX Designer and Digital Matte Artist

Rushes has announced the appointment of Charles Darby as VFX Designer and Digital Matte Artist.
Recognised as one of the five best Matte Artists in the world, Darby joins Rushes after founding Digital Firepower in Hollywood six years ago, having previously worked at Cinesite LA and Digital Domain.
Darby began his career as an artist after three years studying classical painting at Studio Cecil-Graves in Florence. Over the past ten years he has designed and created Matte Paintings for over 40 feature films. A member of BAFTA and The Visual Effects Society, Darby has produced Academy and BAFTA award-winning work on films such as ‘Titanic’, ‘The Matrix’, ‘Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon’, ‘The Fifth Element’ and ‘Minority Report’. His most recent work includes ‘Girl with a Pearl Earring’, ‘Harry Potter and the Prisoner Of Azkaban’ and ‘I, Robot’.
Joce Capper, Rushes Managing Director, said: "Charles is one of the world’s leading Digital Matte Artists and we are delighted he has joined us at Rushes. This is an exceptional opportunity for us to win new business in an area where we have already made huge steps forwards with feature film clients. Charles brings with him a wealth of experience; he is hugely respected by our clients who enjoy working with cutting edge talent. This is another innovative, exclusive and personal service we will offer our clients that few of our competitors have. Charles is a unique talent and Rushes is extremely proud to represent him within our award winning feature film and effects department."
Darby added: "I’m extremely excited to join Rushes in creating a new approach to matte painting in the European market. Our aim is to build a clear and proven pipeline to realise complex multiple element shots by combining design, conceptualisation, and execution. To achieve this we will be solely focused on integrating the separate disciplines of painting, compositing and 3D to create the finest film imagery. Rushes will now be able to provide a uniquely personal, bespoke service for clients seeking the highest levels of visual effects craftsmanship."
(GB)