F/x power ILM taps Britton

Art manager to o'see staffers working on pix, commercials

By MARC GRASER

In an effort to expand its character and creature design offerings, Industrial Light & Magic has tapped Matt Britton art department manager.

In his new post, Britton will supervise 48 staffers, including art directors, concept and character designers, storyboard artists, still photographers and graphic designers working on features and commercial advertising productions at the San Francisco-based f/x powerhouse.

He will report to Jeff Mann, executive in charge of creative operations for ILM.

The department recently completed work on Universal’s “The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle” and Warner Bros.’s “Space Cowboys” and is currently working on Disney’s “Pearl Harbor” and U’s “Mummy 2.”

“ILM’s art department has a rich tradition,” Mann said. “Matt’s industry experience, creative management style and his love of the design process are a perfect fit with that tradition.”

Britton most recently was general manager of the Jim Henson Co.’s Creature Shop in Los Angeles, working on pics “The Phantom,” “George of the Jungle,” “Doctor Dolittle” and “Jack Frost.”

He also served as an executive on the Saturday morning series “Brats of the Lost Nebula” for Canada’s YTV.

Before that, he oversaw installation of more than 100 robotic characters for Sanrio’s Harmonyland theme park in Japan and spent five years as shop supervisor at Rick Baker’s Cinovation, working on “Gremlins 2” and “Baby’s Day Out.”