Fred Raimondi(I)

Before making the move to director, Fred Raimondi was recognized as one of the preeminent digital artists in the world.

As a Visual Effects Supervisor he partnered on projects with, David Lynch, Michael Bay, David Fincher, Mark Pellington, Gus Van Sant, Lance Acord, and Alex Proyas.

Historically, he has always been ahead of the curve.

At a time when visual effects were reserved for film optical houses, his early work set the standard for electronic visual effects compositing with "The Twilight Zone", "Max Headroom", and was the lead compositor on the first season of "Star Trek, The Next Generation" along with Academy Award winner Rob Legato.

As a founding member of Planet Blue in 1988, his early work with digital compositing helped pave the way for today's generation of digital visual effects, compositing platforms, tools, and techniques that are now widely recognized as industry standards.

October 1993 saw Raimondi join the startup phase of visual effects and creative hotbed Digital Domain in Venice, CA. He was among the first 15 employees at Digital Domain and played a large part in setting the stage and feel for Digital Domain's Commercial Division.

His need to be closer to the production process and desire to take visual effects in commercials to a much higher level saw him become the first Visual Effects Supervisor specifically in the Commercial arena. As a result, he helped move the art form from "a post production only" process to an integrated part of the whole filmmaking process.

An accomplished editor, photographer, and musician, he brings a unique skill set and creative vision to the projects he chooses. His experience as a "complete filmmaker" brings a unique blend of art and technology to his projects. Raimondi played a dual role at Digital Domain as Senior Visual Effects Supervisor and Commercial Director.

Raimondi has directed national spots for Chanel, Dell Computers, Sony Playstation, Proctor and Gamble, IBM, and Pfizer. Shoot Magazine awarded Raimondi "Spot of the Week" for "Maze", a spot he directed for Dell Computers. This was Raimondi's very first time out as a Commercial Director.

Raimondi's work has garnered Gold and Silver Cannes Lions, Gold, Silver, and Bronze Clios, an MTV Video Music Award (as well as 4 nominations), a Grammy, and nine of his spots received AICP awards and are included in the Permanent Collection of the Museum of Modern Art in NY in "The Art and Science of the American Television Commercial". His client list includes Adidas, Budweiser, Nike, Levis, Cingular, Sony, Visa, BBDO, Chiat/Day, Goodby Silverstein, DDB Needham, and McCann Ericson.

June 2008 saw a turning point for Raimondi. In a major decision, he decided to leave his home of 15 years at Digital Domain to pursue directing full time. Raimondi says, "If one is to grow, one has to go outside their comfort zone. This has been calling me for a long time and it's time to 'answer the call'."

In January 2010 Raimondi joined Andy Traines (Anonymous Content and Propaganda Films), Gianfilippo Pedrotti, and Michele Nocchi in the founding of the US arm of Italian commercial powerhouse BRW.

Since joining BRW, he has directed campaigns for GMC, Nintendo, Coors, Blue Moon Beer, Busch Gardens, and McDonald's. His McDonald's spot "Earth's Treasure"- which featured aliens stealing a beverage station from a McDonald's and bringing it back to their mother ship - was Adweek spot of the day and Shoot Magazine's Top Spot of the week.

Raimondi finished his first narrative film, "Heloise" based on the true 11th century story of Heloise and Abelard which made the festival rounds and was selected for the 2011 Garden State Film Festival in Asbury Park.

He also continues to design and create Visual Effects for a very select clientèle through his own company, "The Ministry of Illusion".

He continues to make films, spots, and experiment with and create music, imagery, and fine art in Pasadena, CA.