Your work for Severance led to international success. What was the collaboration process like with Stiller and his team?

It was an amazing experience. From the outset, they were open to creative ideas and encouraged me to experiment. It was a back-and-forth process where I was given the freedom to develop my concepts and then refine them to align with the show’s psychological tone. The collaboration felt like a true partnership, where my creative input played a significant role in shaping the visual storytelling of the series. Ben’s approach to balancing narrative and visuals made the process both collaborative and inspiring.

Severance Official Intro Title Sequence 2022 / Credits / Opening 4K ( Apple TV+ )

How did you navigate the balance between their vision for Severance and your own creative approach? How did it compare to your usual process?

It was an exciting challenge. Their narrative framework required me to think within certain boundaries, but the freedom to experiment with surreal visuals allowed me to maintain my own creative voice. It was different from my usual process in that I had to adjust my work to fit the evolving narrative while ensuring the visuals stayed true to my style. The process was very collaborative, with a constant exchange of ideas, which made the final outcome feel like a true fusion of both creative worlds.

What was your technical workflow for this project?

I used a combination of Houdini for simulations, Cinema 4D for modeling and animation, and AfterEffects for compositing. While I did most of the work myself, I collaborated with freelancers for specialized tasks. Company 3 was responsible for the final color grading, which helped give the piece the polished, cinematic look it needed.

Season 2 – Intro Title Sequence 2025 / Credits / Opening 4K ( Apple TV+ )

I read that for Severance Season 2, you wanted to explore what it would be like to walk inside a brain. Can you tell us more about that?

Yes, I wanted to create a visual representation of the mind, exploring its complexity and layers. I imagined what it would be like to walk through the brain’s pathways, shifting thoughts, and memories. It was a metaphor for the characters’ psychological states and their internal struggles. The challenge was turning these abstract concepts into something visually tangible, and I used surreal imagery to capture the fluidity and confusion of the mind.

Did you have the opportunity to speak with any of the actors to incorporate elements of their performances into the visuals?

We scanned the actors to capture their faces, and I had 3D models of their faces to work from. The rest of the visuals involved a lot of 3D work based on references and some real-time discussions with the actors, especially when I visited the set in New York. During the Emmy event in 2022, I had a chance to meet some of the actors in person, which helped me connect their performances more deeply with the visuals.

Severance has been a major milestone, earning you an Emmy award. How has this success impacted your career?

It’s been an incredible honor, and the recognition has certainly increased interest from brands, film directors, and studios. I’ve had more opportunities to collaborate on high-profile projects and work with teams that value innovative and bold visual storytelling. It’s been motivating, and it has pushed me to take on even more exciting and challenging projects.

Is there anything exciting you’re currently working on or planning that you can share with us?

I’m currently working on a series of 3D animated pieces that explore psychological themes and human experiences. I’m also in the early stages of developing my own product line, which will allow fans and collectors to engage with my work in a new and tangible way. These projects are very exciting, and I look forward to sharing them with the world when the time is right.

Following up on your workflow, do you incorporate AI tools into your creative process? If so, how do they fit into your pipeline?

I don’t rely on AI in my final work. Since I specialize in animation, AI can be challenging, especially when it comes to capturing the intricacies of specific motion or nuanced animation. I’ve experimented with AI in the past, but it hasn’t yet been able to fully align with my vision. While I use AI tools for certain tasks like asset creation or rendering to speed up the process, I still believe that AI lacks the storytelling depth I aim for in my work. For me, AI remains a tool — one of many — to streamline technical aspects, but I always maintain creative control over the final product to preserve the personal touch and depth that is central to my artistic vision.

With AI-generated visuals becoming more advanced, how do you see the industry evolving in the coming years?

It’s evolving rapidly, and AI will continue to play a significant role in streamlining production. However, I believe human creativity will remain at the heart of it. AI can help with the technical side of things, but it won’t replace the need for artists who bring vision, emotion, and authenticity to the work.

Do you see yourself moving more into storytelling, directing films and shorts in the coming years, or is crafting assets a passion you’ll always hold on to?

Let’s see, but for now, crafting assets remains a passion of mine. Directing and storytelling are certainly things I see in my future, but I enjoy the process of creating the visual worlds that tell those stories, so I’m always open to both.

Have you ever exhibited your work, or is that something you’d like to do in the future? Do you also sell your pieces in any format?

I’ve exhibited my work in several shows, and I plan to do more exhibitions in the future. I’m also exploring the idea of releasing new pieces for collectors, including a product line that will allow fans to experience my work in new formats. Stay tuned for more updates on this!