ArsenalFX Color Expands Team with Eye Towards VFX Expansion
ArsenalFX Color has expanded its team, adding new talent to support the company’s newly bolstered service offerings, bringing on VP of business development Cortney Haile to spearhead the expansion of ArsenalFX Color’s VFX department, extending the company’s offerings to include scripted VFX and on-set supervision. Additional key hires include chief engineer Albert Soto and senior colorist J.R. Benson. The company will fuse its decade of expertise in 2D compositing VFX and other high-end post production services with the longstanding careers of its new team to offer on-set supervision for scripted visual effects. Already established as a premium full service post production company, the expansion will allow their partners to retain both 2D and 3D VFX services under one roof, maximizing efficiencies and cost-savings.
On the heels of groundbreaking projects for top studios like Netflix, NBC, ABC and HBO, and shows such as Lovecraft Country, Grey’s Anatomy, Raising Dion, The Good Doctor, and New Amsterdam, among others, the growth will further inject ArsenalFX Color’s Los Angeles and Atlanta strongholds into projects for the shifting entertainment landscape across New York and Vancouver. Having offered remote work services since 2012, the studio was equipped to leverage their longstanding business model for clients moving remotely in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
Notes ArsenalFX Color owner/managing partner Larry Field comments: “We have worked with both Cortney and J.R. over the years, so we knew they would be a great fit. Albert has a proven track record in the industry and also came highly recommended. It means a lot to continue to grow, not only during these tough times, but also as an independently owned business. We take pride that we continue to flourish.”
Haile brings over 15 years of experience in the content space producing visual effects for commercials, tv shows, and feature films. After working on the production side with Primetime Pictures, Cortney entered post production in the early 2000s at Lionsgate Entertainment. Following, she went on to spearhead business development at 2G Digital Post before joining ArsenalFX in 2011 as an account executive, and later Head of Production. In 2015, ArsenalCreative was launched, and Cortney became a partner and EP overseeing all of the daily operations and new business development for such top brands as Amazon, Beats by Dre, Toyota, Microsoft, and Hyundai.
Soto, an engineer and IT director for film and entertainment for over two decades, has held numerous director and chief engineer posts from EFilm, Reel FX, and Big Block. Commercial work spans hi-tech spots for brands such as Dolby Atmos and Lexus, with agencies including Team One and ESPN CreativeWorks. As Big Block CTO, Soto worked with ESPN to rebrand the network’s comprehensive NBA coverage. A similar graphics package and brand identity for ESPN’s Monday Night Football earned an Emmy Award for Outstanding Graphic Design. Soto will work closely with ArsenalFX Color leadership to expand their latest VFX offerings on an international scale, coordinating with clients on remote global projects.
Benson is a well-versed Colorist of over 25 years who has worked on a wide range of titles from single camera dramas and comedies to multi camera sitcoms and feature films. He has established his career both in Atlanta and Los Angeles and has garnered numerous accolades including Best Color Correction for Lost Battalion and Black Cat Run. Once again, Benson has returned to Los Angeles to begin a new chapter as Senior Colorist at ArsenalFX Color.
