Paul DeNigris
Chief Pixel Pusher (aka CEO and Creative Director)
Paul DeNigris, the esteemed CEO of Foxtrot X-Ray, is a prominent figure in the film industry as a creative leader, innovator, and educator. Hailing from Long Island, New York, his passion for filmmaking and VFX ignited at just 8 years old when he experienced the wonder of Close Encounters of the Third Kind. This pivotal moment began a creative journey which took shape when he was awarded a full scholarship to the University of Buffalo, where he earned a Bachelor's degree in film production with a minor in computer science and graduated magna cum laude.
Over the next two decades, Paul developed his deep expertise in crafting captivating visuals for the silver screen and television. From 1997 to 2002, he served as a Supervising Animator and Motion Capture Director at Rainbow Studios, where he spearheaded groundbreaking animation and filming endeavors. As Motion Capture Director on such titles as Roughnecks: The Starship Troopers Chronicles, Paul pioneered mocap techniques that would later be refined by the likes of James Cameron and Peter Jackson on Avatar and The Lord of the Rings, respectively.
One of Paul’s standout accomplishments at Rainbow Studios includes the creation of the opening cinematic scenes for Age of Empires II, one of the most-beloved and best-selling PC games of all time. He still gets fan mail for that one from time to time and often engages with fans on YouTube who are still discussing the cinematic to this day.
Subsequently, Paul attained his Master's degree in Fine Arts from National University in 2011, concurrently serving as a professor at the University of Advancing Technology in Tempe, Arizona. With his extensive experience, he played an instrumental role in establishing and leading the Digital Video Program at UAT for 15 years before teaching visual effects and post-production at the Sidney Poitier New American Film School at Arizona State University for an additional 5 years, significantly influencing and shaping aspiring talents in the realms of VFX and filmmaking.
Many of Paul’s students have gone on to great success in the industry, contributing visual effects to Marvel, Star Wars, Avatar, Game of Thrones, Frozen, and many more.
Paul with student Chris Erickson, c. 2009
Paul with Chris Erickson on Oscar Night 2015; Chris and the Disney team won an Academy Award for Big Hero 6
In 2013, Paul captured the world's attention with his viral parody video, Bohemian Rhapsody: Star Wars Edition, co-created with a team of his students. This exceptional piece further showcased his creative genius and resonated with fans worldwide. Paul further pushed the envelope of VFX technology by working with his students to pioneer the use of Unreal Engine as a real-time on-set production tool as early as 2014, years before ILM would deploy their “StageCraft” technology for production of The Mandalorian.
An independent filmmaker at heart, Paul has also been deeply involved with the Phoenix Film Festival, having served on the festival's board for several years, co-sponsoring several education outreach programs with the Festival’s education arm IFP Phoenix, and most recently providing animation services for the Festival as a corporate sponsor. In 2007 Paul was honored with the prestigious Arizona Filmmaker of the Year award, and has won multiple Festival awards for his films through the years.
Paul with Phoenix Film Festival founder Chris LaMont and Festival Director Jason Carney after winning Best Arizona Short in 2011
Paul with actor Danny Trejo and script supervisor Jenny Pond on the set of “Cowboy Dreams” in 2007
Paul on location for his film “Toppled” in 2016
Beyond his professional achievements, Paul holds a deep appreciation for his Italian heritage, passed down from his family who emigrated from Italy in the early 1900s. When not immersed in the world of filmmaking, Paul finds joy and creativity in the culinary arts with an emphasis on Italian specialties such as homemade pizza.
Making a New Mexico-inspired green chile and pepperoni pizza
Enjoying a slice at John’s of Bleecker Street on a recent visit to New York City