AFX Creative expands leadership team

Independent studio AFX Creative that specializes in VFX, design/motion, color and editorial services for the advertising and entertainment industries, has expanded its leadership team and concurrently has hired seasoned systems engineer and administrator Toby Gallo to serve as its new Director of Technology.

AFX Creative also announce the promotions of Esther Minitser to Head of Production, Jessica Amburgey to Senior Color Producer, and Stefan Kim to Production Coordinator. 

The announcements were made by Mark Leiss, AFX Creative Founder and Managing Director. “We’re proud to hire the best in the industry while also growing and developing talent from within our company,” Leiss said.

With more than 25 years of technology experience in network design, implementation and support, Toby Gallo most recently worked at Shed, where he oversaw systems and network administration, and periphery management. Previously, he’s also worked for companies such as Technicolor, Warner Bros., Sony Pictures Entertainment, Digiscope, Nickelodeon, Gradient Effects, and World Wide Broadcasting. Gallo is well known for his work on ground-breaking pipelines and render farm solutions in the long-form episodic world.

“Toby brings a wealth of knowledge, experience and a unique strategic vision to AFX Creative that will carry us forward as we continue to adapt to an ever-changing landscape,” Leiss said.

“AFX is a technology forward company,” Gallo adds. “We plan on taking it to the next level, implementing the latest in virtualized technologies and remote workflows, ultimately allowing AFX to service our clients’ needs and beyond.”

Esther Minitser has been named AFX Creative’s Head of Production. She was promoted from within the company and most recently served as VFX Producer for the past three years. Minitser has been with AFX Creative since 2015. A recent graduate from the Pepperdine Graziadio Business School in California, she applies that knowledge to her day-to-day work.