Ben Brown, a visual effects artist from Beverley, East Yorkshire, has added Moana 2 to his growing portfolio of Hollywood blockbusters.
The Disney sequel, which continues the story of the adventurous Polynesian heroine, premieres in UK cinemas on Friday, showcasing Brown’s expertise in creating immersive animated worlds.
Brown, now based in Vancouver, Canada, has previously worked on major titles like Avengers: Infinity War and the Freddie Mercury biopic Bohemian Rhapsody.
Despite his impressive résumé, he ranks Moana 2 as one of his favorite projects, describing the thrill of spotting his name in the film’s credits as “always a great moment.”
As a crowd artist, Brown plays a crucial role in populating the backgrounds of scenes to make them feel alive and natural.
He explained, “If you think of walking down the street with your main characters in front, an empty backdrop feels odd and unsettling. My job is to fill those spaces with people and movement to create realism.”
Brown’s journey into visual effects was sparked by watching the behind-the-scenes features on DVD extras, which opened his eyes to the possibilities of a career in film.
After studying at East Riding College and Cardiff University, he secured placements and internships that eventually led him to work with Industrial Light & Magic, the renowned production company founded by George Lucas.
Recalling the moment he joined the studio behind Star Wars and Jurassic Park, Brown said, “I genuinely had to pinch myself.”
While his career has been filled with remarkable achievements, Brown admitted that watching his own work on screen can be challenging.
“I’m my own worst critic,” he confessed, often finding moments he wishes he had more time to perfect.
Currently, Brown is working on another Disney project within the Princess Tiana franchise, further solidifying his role as a creative force in the world of visual effects.
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