I’m Patricia Kavanaugh, a visual effects and animation artist with extensive experience in matchmoving, layout, previs, and postvis for blockbuster films and high-profile TV series. I specialize in driving camera-ready shots from pre-production through final comp, collaborating with directors, cinematographers, and VFX supervisors to achieve seamless storytelling and technical excellence. Beyond production work, I mentor students and teach at multiple institutions, and I also contribute as a VFX photographer for pre-production and as a post-visualization artist on large-scale projects. I thrive in fast-paced environments and enjoy exploring new tools and techniques to push visual storytelling.…

Patricia Kavanaugh

I’m Patricia Kavanaugh, a visual effects and animation artist with extensive experience in matchmoving, layout, previs, and postvis for blockbuster films and high-profile TV series. I specialize in driving camera-ready shots from pre-production through final comp, collaborating with directors, cinematographers, and VFX supervisors to achieve seamless storytelling and technical excellence. Beyond production work, I mentor students and teach at multiple institutions, and I also contribute as a VFX photographer for pre-production and as a post-visualization artist on large-scale projects. I thrive in fast-paced environments and enjoy exploring new tools and techniques to push visual storytelling.…

Available to hire

I’m Patricia Kavanaugh, a visual effects and animation artist with extensive experience in matchmoving, layout, previs, and postvis for blockbuster films and high-profile TV series. I specialize in driving camera-ready shots from pre-production through final comp, collaborating with directors, cinematographers, and VFX supervisors to achieve seamless storytelling and technical excellence.

Beyond production work, I mentor students and teach at multiple institutions, and I also contribute as a VFX photographer for pre-production and as a post-visualization artist on large-scale projects. I thrive in fast-paced environments and enjoy exploring new tools and techniques to push visual storytelling.

See more

Skills

Experience Level

Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Matchmove and Layout Artist at Industrial Light & Magic
June 1, 2021 - Present
Layout and matchmoving for high-profile productions, contributing to camera planning, motion tracking accuracy, facial animation mapping, and shot prep across titles such as Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu (2025), Twisters (2025), Thunderbolts (2025), Severance Season 2 (2025), and Venom: The Last Dance (2024). Lead layout and matchmove workflows for multiple teams.
Post Vis Artist at The Third Floor
January 1, 2021 - December 31, 2021
Post-visualization shots for Hawkeye (2021) using After Effects, Nuke, and PFTrack to craft pre-visualization sequences.
Animation Professor at California College of the Arts
September 1, 2016 - Present
Animation Professor (Ranked Non-Tenure Part Time) teaching 3D Maya Animation, Animation 1, Senior Project, and History of Animation.
Professor, Computer Animation at University of California, Los Angeles
March 1, 2016 - June 30, 2016
Course offerings for MFA Animation; 2D digital animation courses for MFA students.
Senior Matchmove and Layout Artist at Tippett Studios
February 1, 2015 - September 30, 2017
Previs, layout and matchmove for major projects including Ride (2018) – Previs and Layout; Gods of Egypt (2016) – Layout and Matchmove; League of Gods (2016) – Layout and Matchmove; Advantage Flea (2016) – Lead Previs, Layout and Matchmove; Ted 2 (2015) – Previs, Layout and Matchmove.
Senior Matchmove and Layout Artist at Atomic Fiction
October 1, 2014 - December 31, 2014
The Walk (2015) - Layout and Matchmove.
Adjunct Professor, School of Animation and Visual Effects at ACADEMY OF ART UNIVERSITY
September 1, 2014 - December 31, 2015
Previsualization and Matchmoving instruction.
Professor at THE ART INSTITUTES LOS ANGELES
March 1, 2013 - September 30, 2013
Professor, Santa Monica & North Hollywood campuses; Matchmoving, Advanced Motion Graphics (After Effects).
Professor, Computer Animation at University of California, Los Angeles
March 1, 2013 - August 31, 2013
Course offerings for MFA Animation; 2D digital animation courses for MFA students.
Animation, Camera & Environment Layout TD at Rhythm & Hues
January 1, 2012 - February 28, 2013
Snow White and the Huntsman (2012) - Previs and Layout; general responsibilities included animation, camera layout, and environment layout across projects.
Senior Matchmove TD at Moving Picture Company
May 1, 2011 - December 31, 2011
Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (2011) – Layout and Matchmove; Jack the Giant Slayer (2013) – Layout and Matchmove.
Lead Animation/Layout TD at Rhythm & Hues
December 1, 2008 - October 31, 2010
The A-Team (2010) – Layout Lead; Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel (2009) – Layout.
Associate Digital Artist / on Set VFX Photographer at Sony Pictures Imageworks
June 1, 2006 - December 31, 2008
Alice in Wonderland (2010); Watchmen (2009); Hancock (2008); I Am Legend (2007); Beowulf (2007).

Education

MFA in Animation at University of California Los Angeles
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2012
BFA Film at San Francisco Art Institute
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 1999

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Professional Services, Education

Skills

Experience Level