Blueplanet VR was formed in 2018 by Eric Hanson, previously of xRez Studio, a formative VR practice specializing in 360 capture technology, cultural heritage, and science visualization content. With a background in design, architecture, photography, and visual effects, Eric finds enormous application for volumetric VR in environmental issues and media. Our goal is to create leading volumetric VR content of remarkable locations on the planet. True-to-life VR utilizing emerging technology coupled with refined environment capture and art direction is the closest thing to experiencing these compelling and special places, we look forward to sharing them and believe you will agree.

xRez Studio is a creative imaging and visual effects production house which explores and applies emerging techniques in VR, CGI, and computational photography. Beginning with pioneering the production of extreme resolution gigapixel photography in 2006, xRez Studio continues to innovate with new technologies such as photogrammetry, laser scanning, terrain modeling, and multi-spectral imaging. Years of experience in high-end feature film visual effects work allows xRez Studio to provide high-level results toward a wide variety of projects and clientele. Partners Eric Hanson and Greg Downing share an enthusiasm for applying computer graphics to meaningful projects in entertainment, natural history, museums, and immersive fulldome theatre. Whether recreating historic events in film, revealing complex processes in scientific visualization, or illustrating environmental change, xRez Studio can offer powerful media solutions for filmmakers, companies, researchers, or activists.

• VFX Supervisor - Contractor for 50 shots for “The Race For Flight”, a National Park Service HD documentary on the Wright Brothers for Aperture Films. Contractor for a difficult environmental shot from Sassoon Film Design for “Magnificent Desolation”, a 3D Imax feature re-creating the Apollo moon landings.

• Senior Producer - Responsible for overseeing and development of a new line of DVD educational titles covering various aspects of visual effects production. Created 4 personal titles on digital sets as well as acting as producer for 32 other titles by contributing authors.

• CG Aircraft Lighting Lead - Supervising lead for early lighting R&D for “Stealth”. Responsible for look development and RenderMan shader implementation on military jet aircraft surfaces. Use of Maya, MTOR/RenderMan, Nuke.• CG NYC Lead - Supervising lead for digital cityscape elements on “The Day After Tomorrow”. Responsible for coordination, strategy and production of ambitious digital cityscape portraying present-day Manhattan. Large team and complex pipeline issues. Use of Maya, MTOR/RenderMan, Nuke.

• CG Sequence Supervisor- Lead supervisor and contractor for cityscape scenes in “Racers 4D”, an HD stereoscopic special venue film for Legoland California. Contracted independently for production design through final delivery of 24 shots. Use of Maya, Shake.

• Director of Art Production- Responsible for design and implementation of film-level content destined for delivery in a unique, immersive virtual reality venue. Concentration on production art, real-time issues. Use of Maya, proprietary real-time driver code and plug-ins.

• Senior Technical Director- Shader and lighting work for whale element and digital reef shoreline in “Cast Away”. Previz digital set work for “Spiderman”. Set extension work of elevator shaft for “Hollow Man”. Use of Maya, Houdini, RenderMan, BIRPS.

• 3D Matte Painting Supervisor- Lead 3D Matte Painter for “Bicentennial Man” and “Mission to Mars”. Developed set extensions and 3D matte paintings of futuristic San Francisco and Wash DC. Use of Maya, MTOR, RenderMan, Shake.

• Digital Supervisor- Lead Visual Development Artist for “Interstitials” segment of “Fantasia 2000”. Concept and design development of digital and live-action orchestra set. Worked closely with director Don Hahn. Use of Alias PA.• Senior Technical Director- Technical Director and Visual Development Artist for “Atlantis”. Concept and design development of cityscape and other CG backgrounds and elements. Use of Maya.

• Senior Digital Artist - Supervising artist for digital cityscape elements on “Fifth Element”. Responsible for design and production of digital cityscape portraying futuristic Manhattan. Worked closely w/ Mark Stetson. Use of Alias PA, Prisms, Track, Moco/Kuper, Nuke.