Visual Effects Artist H Haden Hammond, Known for His Work on "Captain America," "Guardians of the Galaxy," "Deadpool & Wolverine," Among Others, Joins Point Park's Animation Faculty Wednesday, March 26, 2025
At Luma Pictures, Hammond served as a sequence supervisor for Iron Man 3.
"Students can expect to learn real industry-standard workflows, get notes and feedback similar to what you’d receive from clients in the industry, and gain insight into how every part of the VFX pipeline comes together in TV and film. My goal is to not just teach the tools but to help students understand how to think like a visual effects artist, preparing them for the real-world demands of the industry."
What inspired your passion for a career in visual effects?
I walked into a movie theater at 13, completely unaware of what I was about to see, and walked out knowing what I wanted to pursue as a career.
That movie was "Jurassic Park." I had no idea how they made those dinosaurs look so real, but I knew I wanted to be a part of that kind of movie magic.
I was always drawn to art; computers fascinated me just as much. Visual effects turned out to be the perfect blend of both.
That led me to Full Sail University and then to Los Angeles, where I started at Luma Pictures. At the time, it was a tight-knit team, and as the company grew into a major studio, my love for the craft only deepened.
Ultimately, my passion for VFX has always been driven by storytelling and the power of visual effects to immerse audiences in new realities. There’s something incredible about helping create those moments of awe, just like the one that changed everything for me at 13.
You've worked on "Deadpool & Wolverine," "X-Men," and "Guardians of the Galaxy," among other notable films. Tell us about your career path.
Working on so many incredible films over the years has been an honor! I grew up in Northwestern Pennsylvania with a great appreciation for film and storytelling. Determined to turn that passion into a career, I worked hard and graduated as valedictorian with a degree in Computer Animation from Full Sail University.
With no job lined up, I packed up and moved to Los Angeles, ready to do whatever it took to get into the industry. My first plan was to drop my demo reel off at all the big VFX studios where I had always dreamed of working. None of them called me back, but just seeing those studios in person — knowing they existed in real life and seeing them in action was inspiring.
I applied everywhere. I found an animation industry website and worked alphabetically through every LA-area company on the list, sending a cover letter, resume and link to my animated Flash website. I was around “E” when an “A” called me back. A producer liked the animation on my website and asked me to create animated pitch sites for a couple of shows he was selling. It wasn’t the dream job, but it was a foot in the door.
We worked in an office building right next to the airport. One day the internet went out, and he had to go upstairs to check on it. “We share the internet with a visual effects studio,” he said. “Want to come up?” Of course I did! That's how I connected with Luma Pictures. After a lot of persistence, networking and letting the producer know I’d be moving on once our next website wrapped, I finally landed an entry-level job.
Luma grew quickly and the team took a bold shot to get work on a Marvel film. We put together a test to bring "Thor" to life and we landed our first Marvel job.
When the Marvel executives visited Luma, they noticed how excited I was to be working on a Marvel project. I collected the comics as a kid, so I was totally geeking out. My enthusiasm was so noticeable that they later invited me to the set! I sat in a room at production and read the script for "Thor," the movie we were about to work on. I got to visit multiple sets, something not all VFX artists get the chance to do, and I’ll always be grateful for them seeing my excitement and facilitating it.
I waited until last to get food at lunch (since I was a guest) and so did Chris Hemsworth. I was about eight feet away and he was in his full Thor costume. I did a triple take and he chuckled to himself.
I worked on "The Avengers" and "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince," bringing worlds, characters and moments to life — just like the ones that inspired me as a kid. When I finally saw my name at the end of (and, for a brief moment, my face in) "The Avengers," that’s the moment it hit me.
Luma trusted me to take on full shots, guiding them from concept and design through execution and final delivery — work they’d not only be proud to show to clients but would help secure work on films we had only dreamed of working on. The experience, industry relationships, knowledge and friendships I built there shaped me in ways I’ll always appreciate.
H Haden Hammond's Marvel Reel
What brought you to Point Park University?
My family and I moved back to Pennsylvania to be close to relatives. Since then, I’ve been working on films, a music video, TV and as an on-set VFX supervisor for productions filmed in Pittsburgh.
Somewhere along the line, Jonathan Trueblood, director of Point Park's animation program, asked me to teach part-time. I taught Advanced Visual Effects and it was an experiment in teaching as I created and executed a new curriculum. Soon after, a full-time position became available and I got the job. I still work in VFX, so it’s nice to have this as a steady gig to go in tandem.
What courses do you teach?
- Digital Design Tools
- Senior Thesis
- Character Analysis
- Nuke and Unreal Engine (I am developing the curriculum and teaching these new courses)
H Haden Hammond's Show Reel
What can students expect in your classes?
Students can expect to learn real industry-standard workflows, get notes and feedback similar to what you’d receive from clients in the industry, and gain insight into how every part of the VFX pipeline comes together in TV and film. My goal is to not just teach the tools but to help students understand how to think like a visual effects artist, preparing them for the real-world demands of the industry.
Tell us about the hands-on experience students have using our facilities and equipment beginning their first year.
One of the classes I teach first-year students is Digital Design Tools, where we jump right into Photoshop, Illustrator and After Effects — no time wasted! We even dive into animation, getting hands-on experience from the start.
The facilities here are fantastic, with high-performance computers that won’t slow you down and shared screens so we can all see and learn from each other’s work. There are so many resources I haven’t even fully tapped into yet, including high-quality RED cameras, lenses, lights and an amazing network of professors who are down to collaborate. I plan to take advantage of that in the future.
H Haden Hammond's VFX Reel
What advice do you have for prospective students?
You have to want it. If you’re applying to the animation program just because it sounds cool or because you feel like you need a degree to do something, that’s not going to cut it.
You need a passion for film and art — a fire that won’t go out, even after years of challenges and setbacks. This industry isn’t easy, but if you’re truly excited about it, if you feel it in your bones, and if you’re determined to see your name in the credits one day, you’ll find a way to make it happen. Bring your passion, bring your energy, and be ready to put in the work.
What do you like most about teaching in Downtown Pittsburgh?
Pittsburgh is an amazing city. There’s always something new to discover, and that’s what makes it such a great place to teach. The rivers, the bridges, the history — it’s a fantastic place to get out and explore.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
The film industry is incredibly competitive. If you want to get noticed, your work has to stand out — not just be good, or even great, but beyond perfect. It needs to turn heads. It should be undeniably clear that it was created by someone who cares— someone who isn’t just looking for a job but is truly passionate about the craft. A degree can help you get a job. Passion is what lands it.