Mark Spatny

Mark Spatny graduated from the University of Southern California school of Cinema-Television with a Bachelor of Fine arts in 1987. He began his career in Los Angeles' theater community, where he worked as a set and lighting designer. His experience designing scenery with 3D animation tools led to designing and producing computer games for such companies as Disney Interactive and Knowledge Adventure, and finally to managing visual effects for film and television. He has supervised and produced effects for more than 50 feature films and TV series. He is one of only two Americans ever to supervise visual effects for the iconic British television series Doctor Who (2005) in its 50 year history. Mark is a recognized leader in the visual effects industry. He helped create the internationally recognized Visual Effects Society Awards, and served ten years on its steering committee. He has also been elected to two terms as a Governor of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, serving on the Academy's Membership, Bylaws, and Engineering Awards Committees. His work has been honored with two Emmys and one VES Award. He has appeared as a guest speaker many times at events sponsored by such organizations as the DGA, SIGGRAPH, USC, the San Diego Comic Con, and the BBC Children's Festival. Outside the entertainment industry, Mark is active in his community as a volunteer with organization such as Crescenta Valley CERT, and the American Red Cross disaster services, where he has served as a shelter manager in several wild fire incidents.