Marlon Rivas

Animation, Class of 2015

Marlon Rivas, a seasoned visual effects artist and visualization generalist, has built an impressive career in Hollywood. A proud graduate of The Los Angeles Film School, Marlon holds both an associate and a bachelor’s degree in Animation. With over nine years in the industry, he has amassed 29+ credits, contributing to blockbuster films like Avatar: The Way of Water, Aquaman, and Netflix’s Rebel Moon (Parts 1 & 2). His journey from U.S. Army veteran to acclaimed VFX professional is a testament to his passion and perseverance.

Marlon’s foundation at The L.A. Film School played a crucial role in shaping his career. Under the mentorship of industry experts like Joffrey Black, Brian Bossin, and Daniel Fiske, he honed his technical and creative skills. His training proved invaluable when tackling complex projects, such as rigging the Demogorgon in Stranger Things 3.

“Don’t aim to be the best at just one thing; be versatile. It’s always a learning curve.”

His breakthrough came with Aquaman, his first major credit, which grossed over $1 billion worldwide. Marlon later joined the Avatar: The Way of Water team, fulfilling a lifelong dream of working on a James Cameron production. With each project, Marlon continues to push the boundaries of visual effects, solidifying his reputation as a top-tier artist in the industry.

Latest news featuring Marlon Rivas:

Happy Gilmore 2

From Happy Gilmore 2 to Euphoria: L.A. Film School Alumni in Production and Post

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In addition to Spotlight Academy member and director Kyle Newacheck (Film 2004), two other L.A. Film School alumni contributed to the success of Happy Gilmore 2. Spotlight Academy member Marlon Rivas (Animation 2015) worked as a Postvisualization Artist, while Matt Cavanaugh (Film 2015) served as a Sound Effects Editor. Cavanaugh also added credits as Sound Editor on Netflix’s The Thursday Murder Club and as Sound Effects Editor on the reboot of I Know What You Did Last Summer.

Meet Marlon Rivas: Visual effects artist behind Avatar: The Way of Water

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Meet Marlon Rivas, a talented visual effects artist and visualization generalist and proud graduate of The Los Angeles Film School.  From immigrant to veteran to renowned visual effects artist, Marlon Rivas’ journey has been one of passion, perseverance and incredible achievement.

Announcing the 5th Annual Spotlight Awards

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The Los Angeles Film School will host its 5th annual Spotlight Awards ceremony celebrating the new Spotlight Academy Class of 2024 members. This year’s Spotlight Awards will be an in-person celebration, as well as on a live stream, at Ivar Theatre in Hollywood, Calif., on September 12. Stay tuned for updates on special guest appearances from entertainment industry leaders and exclusive chats with the inductees during the show.