I’m Shiv Dholakia, a Principal FX Artist and FX TD with 18+ years of global VFX experience across feature films, episodic series, AAA games, and high-end campaigns. I specialize in building scalable Houdini pipelines for pyro, fluids, and destruction, while collaborating closely with directors and VFX supervisors to deliver production-ready simulations. I thrive on cross-department collaboration and fast iteration, including real-time FX prototyping in Unreal Engine.

Shiv Dholakia

I’m Shiv Dholakia, a Principal FX Artist and FX TD with 18+ years of global VFX experience across feature films, episodic series, AAA games, and high-end campaigns. I specialize in building scalable Houdini pipelines for pyro, fluids, and destruction, while collaborating closely with directors and VFX supervisors to deliver production-ready simulations. I thrive on cross-department collaboration and fast iteration, including real-time FX prototyping in Unreal Engine.

Available to hire

I’m Shiv Dholakia, a Principal FX Artist and FX TD with 18+ years of global VFX experience across feature films, episodic series, AAA games, and high-end campaigns. I specialize in building scalable Houdini pipelines for pyro, fluids, and destruction, while collaborating closely with directors and VFX supervisors to deliver production-ready simulations. I thrive on cross-department collaboration and fast iteration, including real-time FX prototyping in Unreal Engine.

See more

Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Principal / Senior FX Artist & FX TD at Global Freelance
January 1, 2008 - Present
Led complex FX sequences across major VFX studios, architected scalable Houdini systems, and partnered with VFX Supervisors to deliver production-critical simulations.

Education

BFA – Animation & Visual Effects at Academy of Art University, San Francisco
January 11, 2030 - March 23, 2026
Applied Generative AI at Purdue University
January 11, 2030 - March 23, 2026
AI & Machine Learning at California Institute of Technology (Caltech)
January 11, 2030 - March 23, 2026
BFA – Animation & Visual Effects at Academy of Art University, San Francisco
January 11, 2030 - March 23, 2026
Certificate in Applied Generative AI at Purdue University
January 11, 2030 - March 23, 2026
Certificate in AI & Machine Learning at California Institute of Technology (Caltech)
January 11, 2030 - March 23, 2026
Applied Generative AI at Purdue University
January 11, 2030 - March 23, 2026
AI & Machine Learning at California Institute of Technology (Caltech)
January 11, 2030 - March 23, 2026
BFA at Academy of Art University, San Francisco
January 11, 2030 - March 23, 2026
Pixar Renderman Certification at Escape Studios
January 11, 2030 - March 23, 2026
Advanced Houdini FX at Rebelway
January 11, 2030 - March 23, 2026
Houdini Atmospheric Physics at Digital Tutors
January 11, 2030 - March 23, 2026
Applied Generative AI at Purdue University
January 11, 2030 - April 21, 2026
AI & Machine Learning at California Institute of Technology (Caltech)
January 11, 2030 - April 21, 2026
BFA – Animation & Visual Effects at Academy of Art University, San Francisco
January 11, 2030 - April 21, 2026

Qualifications

Pixar Renderman (Escape Studios)
January 11, 2030 - March 23, 2026
Advanced Houdini FX (Rebelway)
January 11, 2030 - March 23, 2026
Houdini Atmospheric Physics (Digital Tutors)
January 11, 2030 - March 23, 2026
Pixar Renderman Certification
January 11, 2030 - March 23, 2026
Advanced Houdini FX (Rebelway)
January 11, 2030 - March 23, 2026
Houdini Atmospheric Physics (Digital Tutors)
January 11, 2030 - March 23, 2026
Pixar Renderman Certification
January 11, 2030 - March 23, 2026
Advanced Houdini FX
January 11, 2030 - March 23, 2026
Houdini Atmospheric Physics
January 11, 2030 - March 23, 2026
Pixar Renderman (Escape Studios)
January 11, 2030 - April 21, 2026
Advanced Houdini FX (Rebelway)
January 11, 2030 - April 21, 2026
Houdini Atmospheric Physics (Digital Tutors)
January 11, 2030 - April 21, 2026

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Gaming, Software & Internet, Other
    uniE608 Senior / Principal FX Artist / Technical Director : Professional Production Show-Reel 2026
    Houdini / Maya FX Professional Production Show-Reel 2026 with Shot List