Today we’d like to introduce you to D. Ryan Reeb.
Hi D. Ryan, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I’ve always seen myself as the creative type, or as a young child, an entertainer, making grown-ups laugh with my silly antics. My childhood was filled with a fascination for Jim Carrey, sneaking into movies, skateboarding in the front yard with my brother and best friend, Adam, and, well, hacking AOL with credit card generators (whoops).
Growing up in South Florida, your options are somewhat limited: you can get into trouble, work in hospitality, become super religious, or start a band. I spent most of my formative years in a stinky self-storage unit, writing songs and making memories with my punk band, Last-Minute, and my emo band, Forever and a Day. Rebellion, fun bordering on catastrophe, logging miles in our tour van, and constantly recording video and taking photos eventually led me to pack up what little I owned in a U-Haul and drive to LA, where I snagged an opportunity to intern for James Cameron at Digital Domain. This kickstarted my obsession with VFX.
In the VFX industry, I’ve held every role imaginable, from roto artist, 3D asset builder, and lighting to compositing, rigging, and VFX Supervisor. I’ve mastered them all. This journey took me around the world, starting up companies with friends and eventually back to LA, where I etched my name into the mega-franchises I grew up obsessing over – Star Wars, Transformers, Star Trek, Marvel’s Thor, Black Panther, Wanda Vision, and many more. It’s been a wild ride, and in many ways, I feel like I’m just getting started.
I’m one of the lucky few who’ve managed to work in this crazy industry while making my two amazing children my top priority. I thrive when someone tells me something can’t be done. Nothing mattered before my kids; these boys really made me step up. Seeing the look in my son’s eyes when our last name scrolls by in the credits at the end of a movie – that’s the only paycheck I ever really need, worth all the long hours and the work-life balance juggling.
Getting into VFX felt like stepping into the future, doing something nerdy, and cracking into an almost impenetrable industry. In LA, you either need to be born rich, connected, or very lucky. Coming from working-class parents who raised us on love and Cap’n Crunch, I knew I had to excel at something to get noticed. So, I learned everything about VFX and started shooting short films, music videos, teaser trailers, comedy shorts, web series – whatever I could get someone else to fund that allowed me to blend live-action filmmaking with wild VFX shots.
I’ve honed a skillset in creative problem-solving using technology. I never want to be caught dreaming up an idea I can’t execute. My personal projects grew until a couple of dear friends, and I wrote, optioned, and fundraised our first real feature film, only to watch it collapse due to a Ponzi scheme associated with the subprime real estate crash. I took it as a learning experience and dove deeper into short-form content, honing my skills as a director with music videos and pitches to major labels and brands.
Fast forward to now, where I’m working on high-profile commercials, conceiving CG and VFX sequences for leading brands at Stept Studios and Lockt Editorial, such as North Face, Oakley, Arcteryx, Thuma, Jennair, Toyota, Audi, Amazon, and more… Nick & Alex Martini, Conor Scofield, and Meridith Rodriguez have created an environment that nurtures creativity in a way that feels organic and premium. They’ve given me the freedom to explore new ideas, merging AI, Virtual Production, and Unreal Engine, with time-honored VFX practices, creating stories that connect on a human level. I’m building out a team of talented artists, looking toward the tools of the future, turning around a high volume of premium VFX shots in record time. It’s a joy using my career’s worth of experience to help grow this incredible company.
More recently, I’ve finished my third feature film script, channeling the vibes of old Focus Feature films telling relatable human stories in an artful manner. This one feels like Sam Penipah and Quentin Tarantino had a love child with Neon Demon and Promising Young Women. A24, watch out – I’m coming for you. I’m not giving up on my dreams, no matter how many times I hear “no.” It’s an unregrettable lifestyle choice. I am extremely excited to the response I’ve been getting to my recent work and look forward to what creative challenges the future has in store for me. I’ll end this rant with a quote from one of my first bosses in entertainment, which seems fitting: “I’m no more talented than you or the next guy, but I can sleep less than you!”
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The road is far from smooth. Deals I made went away, writing partners moved on, and relationships fell to the wayside. It takes a long time to master certain complicated software tools, only for them to become obsolete in as much time as it took you to learn them. Learning how to “RTFM” became my superpower; I could read a manual, watch a tutorial one time, and get it!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
First and foremost, I consider myself a creative. My passions include directing, editing, VFX shot design, and writing features. Defining what I do has always been somewhat challenging. I am drawn to any medium where an artist can express their voice and create work that connects people. I’m a jack of all trades but a master of VFX.
What sets me apart is my ability to envision the entire project from start to finish, understanding the path needed to achieve the end goal. Additionally, I have a knack for communicating shared interests across a diverse group, from the most introverted technical engineer to the most client-facing executive. I ensure everyone is on the same page despite their varied backgrounds.
Functioning under short timelines, high pressure, and exhausting deliverables seems to be my comfort zone. I thrive in environments that challenge my abilities and push the boundaries of what’s possible in the creative world.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
The best advice I can offer for finding a mentor and networking would be to go to as many industry events as possible. Go out of your way to help other people create their visions. I have learned more and gone farther by helping and connecting with others. What goes around comes around. I know it’s silly but it’s true. Help your friend pull cable on their short film; you will meet 25 people who all share your passion. Go work a red carpet event as a paparazzi, you will meet agents, actors, and managers. Be obsessed. If you’re going to go, go all the way. Take continuing education classes and an improv class. I have stayed true to my passion no matter how broke I have been and looking back, I have very few regrets about it.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.RyanReeb.com
- Instagram: @D_Ryan_Reeb
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/d.ryan.reeb
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanreeb/
