In the first RenderMan Artist Series, we talk with Technical Director, Markus Kranzler, about his career, art, and love for the beauty of simple things, like concrete.

Markus first started in Visual Effects in 2007 while he was studying mathematics. For his master thesis he used that understanding to implement Spherical Harmonics Lighting for RenderMan at Trixter in Munich. After completing his degree he joined the Technical Directing program at the Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg where he worked on a number of successful short films includingThe Present, Rollin’ Wild, Wedding Cake and Natalis, which all won numerous international awards. His student work also earned him a position in the Highly Commended category at the international CG Student Awards in 2015.

While studying he also did professional VFX work in Germany and London on Iron Man 3, James Bond: Skyfall and Superman: Man of Steel as Shading and/or Lighting TD. After graduating in 2014 he was hired by the Pixar Animation Studios.

As one of very few jack of all trades he worked in several different departments on movies including The Good Dinosaur, Finding Dory, Cars 3 and the Academy Award-winning Coco.

RENDERMAN ARTIST SERIES #1
This RenderMan production, produced by Pixar Animation Studios, showcases artists in the visual effect industry who use RenderMan and offers a personal look into their jobs, careers, and art. 

Starring . . . Markus Kranzler, Pixar Animation Studios
Director . . . Eugene Riecansky
Interviewer . . . Dylan Sisson
Sound . . . David Escott
Producer . . . Emily Ledger
Produced by Pixar Animation Studios