Ivan Larinin: Senior Houdini Artist Crafting Award-Winning Cinematic FX

What does it take to turn complex simulations into emotionally driven cinematic moments? For Ivan Larinin, it’s the perfect balance of technical mastery and artistic intuition.

An award-winning FX Technical Director and Senior Houdini Artist, Ivan’s journey into visual effects began with a fascination for computer graphics and was solidified the moment he saw The Lord of the Rings. From early mornings studying CG alongside architecture classes to contributing to major productions at studios like DNEG, Sony Pictures, and Pixomondo, Ivan has built a career at the intersection of precision and storytelling.

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Now based in Montreal, Ivan continues to push the boundaries of FX across feature films, episodic content, and high-end cinematics. In this interview, he breaks down the creative and technical challenges behind his work, including complex particle-driven shots, shares insights from his experience working remotely with international teams, and explains how GridMarkets helps him deliver final shots faster without compromising creative control.

Read Ivan's full story and explore his work: Interview