Shape+Light Announces Promotions
Boutique visual effects and design studio Shape+Light today announced several promotions, including Aidan Thomas and Aaron Neitz each rising to Creative Director, and Cara Lehr to Managing Director. Rounding out the rest of the Shape+Light team are: Emily Irvine (senior Flame artist), Pat Hunsberger (Flame artist), Austin Lewis (Flame artist), Eugene Vernikov (junior Flame artist), Arielle Weir (senior producer), Jade Fuller (producer), and Rachel Pring (producer).
“It’s been my pleasure to witness the growth of this company from day one, and all that we’ve accomplished together – from unforgettable Super Bowl spots to viral music videos,” shared Lehr. “Our combination of producers and talent is unstoppable right now, and we’ve built strong connections with both agency and brand clients who keep returning to Shape+Light because of our down-to-earth boutique approach, creative curiosity, and flawless execution.”
Aidan is a well-respected industry veteran, trusted for his on-set problem solving skills and ability to guide projects smoothly from pre-production through final delivery. He joined Shape+Light in 2022, having previously spent 12 years at Method Studios where he worked his way up from Senior Flame Artist to Creative Director. He began his career at MPC and The Mill, where he made a name for himself as one of the industry’s premiere finishing artists. Aidan has collaborated with many legendary directors including Michel Gondry, John Hillcoat, Tom Carty, Brian Buckley, and Dante Ariola, and delivered award-winning projects for brands such as MSFT, Google, Dr. Pepper, Levi’s, Coca Cola, Guiness, Ford, Honda, Apple, Nike, and Taco Bell. Based in Los Angeles, he was born and raised in London and remains a diehard Arsenal fan.
Aaron joined Shape+Light in 2021, bringing years of experience as one of the ad world’s top Flame artists. He has worked across commercials, music videos, feature films, documentaries, and short form, with notable ad clients including Google, Meta, Gatorade, and just about every major automotive brand. In his early career he specialized in music videos and surf films, then dabbled in features (with several going to festivals including TIFF and Sundance), before finally landing in commercial finishing, where he frequently collaborates with sought-after directors including Dave Meyers and Daps. Prior to joining Shape+Light, Aaron spent over a decade at Riot/Method Studios as a lead Flame artist, and eight years in editorial at King Cut. He came to sunny Los Angeles 20 years ago from the cold of Boston, and has a very personable dog named Scout.
Cara has been with Shape+Light since its inception in 2019, originally joining as executive producer. She brings over two decades of VFX experience at award-winning shops including Method Studios, Digital Domain, Psyop, Asylum, and Brickyard VFX. With her insightful nature and ability to take decisive action, she excels at understanding and meeting the unique needs of each client and project. Throughout her career, Cara has been trusted by leading brands including Apple, Meta, Nike, Chevrolet, the NFL, and many more, to shepherd them through the post-production process. She is also dedicated to nurturing new talent. Outside of the office, Cara can often be found racing sailboats, surfing remote waves, or skateboarding with her two boys.
