Boutique visual effects and design studio Shape+Light has relaunched as Shepherd, and is expanding to have a bicoastal presence with the opening of an outpost in New York. Shepherd is also welcoming new leadership in both its New York and Santa Monica offices, bringing an infusion of international creative chops from leading VFX and design studios. Shepherd’s New York team will be led by executive producer Julia Paskert and creative director Andrew Granelli, with support from sr. Flame artist Yoshiko Hirata. Additionally, Shepherd’s Santa Monica office has grown with the addition of Crystal Rossmann as executive producer, and the promotion of Emily Irvine to creative director. Cara Lehr continues as managing director.
Shepherd’s New York office is in Soho, co-located with sister brand Cabin Editing Company. Shepherd’s growing New York team has recently delivered major global campaigns for Google, McDonald’s, Volkswagen, Ford, and WhatsApp.
Paskert joined the shop earlier this year. Bringing 12 years of experience in the VFX and finishing world, she most recently served as executive producer at Method Studios, with previous gigs at Company 3, The Mill, and Digital Domain.
Granelli is a savvy and collaborative creative director, on-set VFX supervisor, and Flame artist with over two decades of experience in the ad industry. Over the years he has worked with leading brands including Citibank, Walmart, Infiniti, Heineken, American Express, Nintendo, Head & Shoulders, Mountain Dew, GMC, Olay, Toyota and Bounty. Prior to joining Shepherd, he spent eight years at Harbor Picture Company, with previous experience at Click 3X, TANQ, and Nice Shoes.
Originally from Japan, Hirata has built a career across film, television, and commercials since moving to the U.S. in 2001. She has worked on the hit television show “Smallville,” films including “Charlie Wilson’s War” and “The Goldfinch,” and numerous brand clients including Pamper’s, Swiffer, Wal-Mart, CVS, Tide, Citibank, and Revlon. She joined Shepherd in early 2024, after most recently working at Harbor Picture Company as a sr. Flame artist. Hirata is also a member of the Visual Effects Society.
Irvine has been creating elegant visuals for nearly two decades, specializing in beauty work across commercials, music videos, short form, TV, and film. Originally from Australia, she began her career in London at boutique post studio Big Buoy and later Prime Focus, before moving to Los Angeles to join Method Studios. After eight years at Method, Irvine joined Shepherd in 2021 as a sr. Flame artist, recently working her way up to creative director alongside Aidan Thomas and Aaron Neitz. She has worked with numerous clients throughout her career including Olay, Dove, Lancome, Glossier, Grey Goose, Absolut, Corona, Patron, Taco Bell, DoorDash, Chevrolet, and the California Lottery. She has also worked on many celebrity-driven campaigns with talent such as Keira Knightley, Madonna, George Michael, and Janet Jackson
Rossmann joined Shepherd as executive producer full time in 2023 after several years of collaboration as a freelancer. She has a strong background in visual effects, design, and animation through her experience as a producer at Method Studios and Company 3, where she worked on projects spanning film, commercials, and music videos. She has also worked as a VFX production manager on various film and television projects for Netflix, Amazon Studios, and Disney, including the limited series “All the Light We Cannot See.”
