Design and digital production shop Timber celebrates its first anniversary with the addition of digital effects supervisor Nicholas Hiegel, and a move into a new and expanded studio in the heart of Santa Monica’s creative community. Timber is an artist owned, design-driven company that provides 360 production solutions from animation and live action to VFX and finishing for branded projects.
Hiegel has a wealth of experience in creating digital content including over 20 effects intensive feature films, including Star Trek into Darkness, Hugo, Harry Potter (Half Blood Prince and Deathly Hallows), TRON Legacy and Clash and Wrath Of The Titans. He’s also lent his talent and expertise to television series and short form content. In addition to digital effects supervision, Hiegel’s specialties are miniature and creature effects. He began his career at New Deal studios at the age of 16, worked as a freelance artist at numerous companies throughout the industry (Pixomondo, Shade, Zoic Studios, Illuminate, Brand New School, Cafe FX), and ran his own boutique firm before joining Timber.
“I felt an immediate connection with (Timber Founders) Kevin Lau and Jonah Hall,” he said, “and my experience crosses over with each so that we make for a robust team. I love being challenged by a diversity of projects and disciplines within digital production, which is very much the Timber experience.”
Over the last year, Timber has lent its creativity to commercials and music videos for clients and performers such as UGG, 1-800 Contacts, Lady Gaga, Bank of America Red with U2 (Super Bowl 2014), Beats By Dre, Taylor Swift, Old Spice, Hyundai (Super Bowl 2014), Visa and Chevy.
