Visual Effects Supervisor

Using a mix of photographic, artistic and technical skills, Mike Shea is known for his ability to create stunning and award winning visual effects. Well versed in both traditional and digital effect's techniques, Mike's experience in all aspects of image creation gives him the unique ability to select the right tools for the job at hand. Whether creating of a monstrous 3D creature for Deep Rising or the dry for wet effects created for the miniature submarine sequences in The Abyss, Mike's trademark is knowing how to get the best visual effects onto the screen.

Mike's work has appeared in more than 30 feature films and television commercials, numerous special venue and large format motion simulator films, as well as a dozen TV shows over the past 17 years. As a Visual Effects Supervisor, Mike is well known for his expertise in the area of complicated miniature and motion control photography. He is also skilled in high-speed pyrotechnic photography, plate location and process photography, 2D and 3D digital effects as well as CG character generation and matte painting. His recent feature film credits as Visual Effects Supervisor, include the Hollywood Pictures release Deep Rising, Savoy Pictures' release Heaven's Prisoners and Castle Rock Entertainment's Dracula: Dead and Loving It. In each film a vast array of cutting edge techniques and creative problem solving was employed.

He started his career with master model maker Gregory Jein and was fortunate early on to work with him on high profile productions like Ghostbusters, 2010, Buckaroo Banzai, Star Trek and more. While working on Amblin Entertainment's TV show Amazing Stories in 1985, Mike was offered a staff position at Dream Quest. As an employee of Dream Quest Images, in Simi Valley, for 13 years Mike held a variety of positions that allowed him learn every nuance of visual effect's production. Mike worked his way out of the model shop and into photography when they realized he could light and shoot what he built. He moved on to work as a motion control operator and then as stage supervisor and cameraman on every major production at Dream Quest including the Academy Award winning films The Abyss and Total Recall. Mike was the Technical Supervisor on complex projects in 8 perf -70MM, VistaVision and IMAX 15perf -70MM and IMAX 3D. In addition, he directed the motion simulation ride film Space Shuttle America for Six Flags Attractions. In 1995, Mike received the Best Visual Effects EMMY for his work on Amblin Entertainment's Television Pilot Earth 2.

Mike studied fine arts and photography at Ohio University, in Athens, and graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Motion Picture Photography, from Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara, California.

He is a member of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and has been granted member status in the Visual Effects Society.