From Crayons to Fluid Simulation and Cloud Rendering
- GridMarkets.com
- Sep 17
- 4 min read
Artist Interview
Who are you, Marcelo? How do you define yourself?
Professionally, I am an award-winning FX Technical Director and Visual Effects Artist with over 15 years of experience creating cutting-edge simulations and photorealistic visuals for global studios, brands, and agencies including Apple, Framestore, The Mill, and Digital Domain. My expertise spans fluid, pyro, and particle simulations using tools like Houdini, Nuke, Maya, and RealFlow. I combine technical expertise, creativity, and industry leadership to deliver captivating for film, TV, advertising, and immersive media.
Artistically, I am an innovator at the intersection of science, art, and technology, guided by a deep passion for sculpting and conceptual art. These practices fuel my exploration of visual storytelling, where form transforms into narrative and imagination finds new expression.
What first inspired you to pursue visual effects?
My journey into the world of visual effects began with a moment of inspiration, the first time I saw La Cité des enfants perdus, a film whose imaginative use of early CGI left an indelible mark on me. At the time, I was seeking a way to channel my postgraduate studies into a more creative and visually driven path, and the emerging possibilities of computer generated imagery spoke directly to my artistic instincts.
Determined to immerse myself in this field, I pursued formal training at the School of Visual Arts and continued my studies at NYU’s continuing education program, where I deepened both my technical knowledge and artistic vision.
From those first captivating frames to the hands-on experience of mastering new tools, I found myself completely smitten with the craft of visual storytelling through special effects, a passion that continues to drive my professional.
Did SVA play a role in your path into the visual effects industry?
Yes! During my early days, the classes at SVA opened the door to my first opportunities in the industry. With the encouragement of one of my instructors, I applied for internships at several studios connected with the Computer Art department. Taking their advice to heart about standing out, I submitted my résumé in a truly unconventional way, handwritten in crayon, printed on transparencies, and layered over glossy photographic paper.
That bold, creative choice paid off!
The very next day, I was invited to join Curious Pictures as a summer intern. At the time, the studio was expanding, and I threw myself into every task, from running optical cables between floors to serving coffee and welcoming clients in the editing suites.
In between, I absorbed as much as I could from the incredibly talented in-house artists, whose generosity and expertise gave me a foundation that shaped the rest of my career.
Can you tell us more about your internship at Curious Pictures?
During that summer, they got awarded two major shows, Elmo’s World, my first job doing the opening titles, and HBO Family Little Curious.
I got hired after the summer, as I had a degree already. I was advised to learn the rest at Curious, so I did.
Could you share a bit about your career journey?
From the very beginning, my fascination with movement and animation guided my career path. My first steps were with Softimage, which gave me a deep appreciation for the foundations of 3D work. After experimenting briefly with other programs, I was fortunate to learn the very first version of Maya from some of the best in the industry, which expanded my toolset and sharpened my artistic direction. Soon after, the release of RealFlow by Next Limit allowed me to add fluid simulations to my repertoire, an important shift that marked my transition from a generalist into a dedicated FX artist.
When did you start using Houdini?
From there, Houdini became a natural next step, and I dove into the world of procedural workflows, driven by an insatiable curiosity for what could be achieved with complex simulations.
Fluid dynamics became my specialty, inspiring me to embrace the mathematics and physics behind the art. This knowledge has not only been a constant companion but also a key to new opportunities throughout my career.
Which challenges did you encounter, and how did you overcome them?
The main challenges I face are the scale and level of detail in fluid simulations.
Those challenges led me to GridMarkets, a cloud rendering and simulation platform that aligned perfectly with my ambitions for higher fidelity and faster production, allowing me to push the possibilities of fluid simulation through cloud rendering.
To this day, I continue to recommend GridMarkets to both small and large studios, as it empowers artists and companies alike to push creative boundaries, accelerate workflows, and deliver work of exceptional quality.
What does fluid dynamics mean to you?
For me, fluid dynamics remains both a technical pursuit and an artistic passion, one that
continues to open new doors in an ever-evolving field.
How has your visibility in the industry grown over the years?
Over the years, word of mouth became the strongest propeller of my career, guiding me into collaborations with some of the most prestigious studios and clients in the industry. Each opportunity not only expanded my artistic and technical range but also allowed me to contribute to projects that reached global audiences.
My professional journey has taken me through renowned creative environments such as Framestore, Digital Domain, Mirada, Imaginary Forces, Psyop, The Mill (NY, Chicago, LA, London), MPC, Technicolor, Hornet, Curious Pictures, Brand New School, and Nice Shoes, among others.
Beyond studio work, I have also partnered with major organizations and media leaders, including Time Warner’s Creative Department, The New York Times Film and Design, Discovery Channel, Comcast, BBS, PBS NOVA, and Click 3X.
These collaborations have shaped my career into what it is today, a path defined by creativity, curiosity, technical expertise, and a passion for pushing the boundaries of visual storytelling.
By: GridMarkets
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