Feature animation & visual effects
Brian Handler
CG environments.
Technical production.
Team leadership.
With 18 years in feature animation and visual effects, I've worked across CG environments, layout, assembly, and technical production at Blue Sky Studios, Wētā FX, and LAIKA. Most recently, I established and led LAIKA's CG Environments department on Wildwood.
Explore my work ↘
02 / Background
Experience
Experience across feature animation and visual effects, with a focus on environments, layout, assembly, and the teams and technical processes behind the work.
01
LAIKA
Lead Artist, Environments 2024–2026
Established and led the CG Environments department for Wildwood, building a team of up to 24 artists. Oversaw environment production, procedural workflows, technical development, and coordination across departments.
02
Wētā FX
Senior Layout TD 2021–2024
Worked on layout and environment construction for feature film and television, including set assembly, camera and creature blocking, and integration of survey and LiDAR data.
03
Blue Sky Studios
Environment Artist 2008–2021
Worked across environment assembly, procedural set dressing, digital matte painting, and technical workflows for animated features. Earlier responsibilities included technical assistance, lighting, and assembly.
03 / Film & television
Selected credits
Wildwood
2026LAIKA
Lead Artist, Environments
A Minecraft Movie
2025Wētā FX
Digital Artist
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
2023Wētā FX
Senior Layout TD
Avatar: The Way of Water
2022Wētā FX
Senior Layout TD
Spies in Disguise
2019Blue Sky Studios
Environment Artist / Matte Painter
Ferdinand
2017Blue Sky Studios
Environment Artist
The Peanuts Movie
2015Blue Sky Studios
Assembly Technical Director
Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs
2009Blue Sky Studios
Lighting Technical Assistant
View complete filmography on IMDb
04 / Résumé
The full picture.
Professional background, roles, and production experience.