Sebastian Sylwan Email & Phone Number

Culver City, Ca, Us

I am responsible for all Technology Strategy and Execution

As the acquisition of Scanline VFX & Eyeline Studios by Netflix was completed, I took the role of Interim CTO to help with the Technology Strategy and Integration. I still maintained some responsibilities on the Netflix side, until I completed a full transition to the role.

Los Gatos, Ca, Us

Los Angeles, Us

Los Angeles, Us

Montreal, Quebec, Ca

Led the growth from an 8-person startup to a 65-people studio universally recognized as the leading producer of Immersive Storytelling experiences. Led technology and post-production efforts company-wide and was part of the small creative team that wrote, produced and directed all VR experiences. VFX Supervisor & Creative Partner on all of the studio’s content since 2015, including The People’s House, Miyubi, Jurassic World - Blue, Space Explorers, Isle of Dogs, Traveling While Black. Bootstrapped and actively led a small team that designed and launched stereoscopic VR cameras into the International Space Station filming there for over 3 years, including the first cinematic VR EVA ever filed. Liaised directly with NASA leading to unprecedented access. Principal designer of the novel award-winning algorithms that allowed for proper stereoscopy in the challenging environment.

London, Gb

Advised the founder on strategic matters and through the early exploration of acquisition interests; As interim CEO, restructured the company and initiated strategic initiatives to prepare it for the acquisition and assembled and led a team of advisors throughout the term-sheet, negotiations, due diligence and final contracts to successfully sell Solid Angle, the company behind the industry leading renderer Arnold, to Autodesk.

A Monster Calls is a movie by director Juan Antonio Bayona released in 2016. I consulted with the Director, Producers and VFX Supervisors on Virtual Production Technologies and selecting the vendor for VFX.

Miramar, Wellington, Nz

Part of the leadership team that brought a stable, growing VFX studio from being single project focused to working on multiple projects a year. Responsible for technology strategy and execution. Spearheaded and negotiated a strategic technology partnership with Lightstorm Entertainment to develop virtual production pipeline between Los Angeles and Wellington for the Avatar sequels. Licensed parts of Weta's IP portfolio for commercialization and created open source initiative.Launched and oversaw the design and development of Weta's next-generation pipeline.

Miramar, Wellington, Nz

Planned and instituted the research group, defined the multi-year research strategic plan and liaised as primary contact with government officials to secure 20+ MNZ$ overall R&D co-funding (including largest ever individual research grant in New Zealand: 5.8MNZ$). Recruited world-class leads and researchers for the new unit. Restructured existing software development group, introduced formal policies and best practices and restored production trust and confidence in internal development, driving a focus shift from a reactive approach, to a culture of proactive and reliable technology innovation.

San Francisco, Ca, Us

Defined the global film & TV industry strategy and provided thought leadership for a portfolio of over 20 products and services representing a significant part of a 250M$ business unit.

Los Angeles, Ca, Us

Directed the technology departments of the facility: Software R&D, Systems, Engineering, Technical Directors and Production Services. Renewed the technology infrastructure. Designed and implemented new datacenter, network infrastructure, tiered storage architecture. Introduced new software development practices and new project management organization. Structured pipeline development. Directly managed R&D for the first 8 months. Introduced new color management system. Helped plan and bid the technology for the first stereoscopic adaptation of a CG animated movie done at the facility.

Playa Vista, Ca, Us

Designed and built systems for research in Computer Graphics.Lead efforts on a specific research project (Light Stage 6).Help streamlining overall research efforts.Facilitate industry adoption of research results.

I was hired as the company was being formed to be its CTO.I contributed to the choice of the strategic direction of the company, designed and managed its technology infrastructure with 6 direct reports and lead the R&D. I also kickstarted the Character animation department and initially executive-produced the animated feature Donkey-Xote.

EU funded Technology park focusing on Virtual Reality, applied to Broadcast, Computer Graphics animated features, industrial design and virtual environments.Designed all the technical aspects of the 8000 sqm facility. Secured EU co-funding of over 12 M€ Euro and specified and selected all technology investments. Proposed and led research projects. Managed the first two productions in the facility.Lectured at various courses in the attached training facility.Directed course on Virtual Set production.Once the production spinoff -Lumiq- was started, joined it as CTO, while maintaining a consulting role with VR&MMP.

Founded and led the Milan branch, managing all the technical aspects regarding the Discreet Logic products and subsequently the entire distributed product range, including support, integration, production and development of post and broadcast systems. Started and directed R&D group. Designed and integrated systems for most of the main Italian VFX, post and broadcast facilities.

Freelance Artists on Advertising, VR other Media Projects. 3DStudio, soft3D, Topas, Flint/Flame.

Bachelor Of Science - Bs (All But Dissertation), Computer Science

Education record

Education record