Today we’d like to introduce you to Chad Bonanno.
Chad, before we jump into specific questions about your work, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Graduated in 2002 from Full Sail with Honors in Design and Animation, quickly moved to Atlanta to intern at a design shop in 2003, which later allowed me to join R!OT Atlanta, a full-service post house for a few years to build up the design department that was in its infancy when I arrived . After a few years working in Atlanta, I packed my bags and moved to Los Angeles where I took a job working on feature film titles at Picture Mill. Getting to work on Film opening title sequences for some of the hottest movies around that time, most specifically the Dreamgirls feature film as my first MAJOR main title. After 14 months of strictly Feature film main title animation, I decided to take my chances with Freelance and it was the BEST decision I ever made. I have worked as a freelance animator and designer at over 50+ shops all over the Los Angeles area to date, netting out 100s of projects under my belt and a lot of new friends and TONS of knowledge!
In 2009, I joined Tempest Freerunning as a cinematographer and creative designer for the team. I worked my way project by project to the creative director title, shooting virtually ALL high end tempest freerunning videos from 2009-2016, branding all Tempest Freerunning graphics and even branding parts of our four gyms we have in Southern California, which I am an investor and part owner in a few of the Tempest Freerunning Academies. Shooting parkour and freerunning in an action cinematography headspace allowed me to travel all over the world to work with athletes from over 25 countries and for Red Bull as well. This eventually turned into shooting stunt related work, whether it be fights or action sequences for feature film and television, which I am still doing today. I close friend and huge influence Joel Lava, gave me a chance to shoot my first real project and really inspired me as a mentor and as someone Ive looked up to ever since I stepped foot in Los Angeles. Based on the support Joel gave me, I felt comfortable taking time from graphics and shooting for Non-Freerunning projects. This caused me to really dial in my cinematography skills and work as a part-time cinematographer as well, even shooting elements for design shops; most recently, all of the elements for Venom feature film ending. I am continuing to work as a freelance Animator + Design + Cinematographer in Los Angeles and a LONG list of goals both personal and work-related. I am also extending my knowledge of high end photo-realistic renders such as Redshift and Octane, and using visual effects add ons to my After Effects and Cinema4D packages to execute work that make me a better artist with newer updated tools.
Has it been a smooth road?
Not at all. Entertainment is tough! Lots of competition. Freelance is a hard gig. You are your own agent, accountant, responsible for everything and moving around from shop to shop is always FUN bu challenging. I have also struggled with addiction in my personal life, now being free of Alcohol for over ten years this past July has allowed me to grow WAY further than anticipated. As far as work goes, Freelance they always say “GET COMFORTABLE WITH BEING UNCOMFORTABLE.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
I specialize in Motion Graphics, Design and Animation for Feature Film and Television. Any graphics for Show opens, Television commercials, game trailers, movie trailers, sports promos or just general branding and development is something I have been doing for almost 20 years. Attention to detail, Typography, visual effects, 3D design and execution, Cinematography including operating a camera to lighting to addressing the entire post process all things I am capable of and specialize in.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
The TRAFFIC! Hate it! The Tourists and congestion can really get to you! one hour to go 12 miles is NO FUN.
The Connections! LOVE IT! You can get anything you want here! when I am in a pinch, I know I can call 20 people to help me out! Its great being in the most connected city in the world!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.chadbonanno.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/chadbonanno
Image Credit:
Emily Dyan Ibarra (@ediphotoeye)
Suggest a story: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
