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:

75th Emmys

The Los Angeles Film School Celebrates Alumni Work in 75th Primetime Emmy Awards Wins

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We are proud to recognize the talented alumni who worked on Emmy-nominated productions for the 75th Annual Primetime Emmys. More than 40 alumni contributed their talents to productions including The Last of Us, Succession, White Lotus, and Ted Lasso.
Oscar 2023

Oscar-Nominated Sequels Go Head-to-Head for Best Picture. See Our Alumni Contributions.

We're excited to share the five alumni from the Computer Animation Program at The L.A. Film School who worked on Oscar-nominated sequels. Both blockbuster movies Top Gun: Maverick and Avatar: The Way of Water are in the running for Best Picture. For the first time in a long time, both the No. 1 (Avatar) and No. 2 (Top Gun) highest-grossing films of the year globally are going head-to-head for Best Picture, according to Deadline.com. This rivalry could aid in a much-needed rating boost for this year's televised award show on March 12.
Marlon Rivas Interview at LAFS

Barrier Breakers with Animation Alum Marlon Rivas

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Animation alum Marlon Rivas has earned countless credits on major productions for post visualization and compositing work. From Stranger Things Season 4 to the highly anticipated release of Avatar: The Way of Water, Rivas has made a name for himself in the animation industry. Watch our full interview with Marlon Rivas in our latest Barrier Breakers video series.