Mammal Studios
- Open roles
- 0
- Founded
- 2013
- Employees
- 11-50
- Offices
- 1
About Mammal Studios
Mammal Studios is an independent boutique visual effects and digital production studio based in Hollywood, California. Founded in 2013 by a team of industry veterans, it works across feature films, episodic television, streaming productions, commercials, music videos, documentaries and special-venue projects. Its approach combines a compact production team with the technical infrastructure needed to handle substantial visual effects assignments.
The studio specializes in invisible effects, photorealistic digital environments and realistic set extensions. Its work encompasses both extensive computer-generated imagery and subtle alterations designed to blend into photographed footage. Capabilities include concept design, look development, pre-visualization and post-visualization, alongside modeling, texturing, lighting, animation and effects simulation. Compositing services cover matte painting, seamless plate stitching, wire and rig removal, cleanup, digital cosmetic makeup and beauty retouching.
Mammal also supports productions during filming through on-set visual effects supervision and practical element photography. This range allows the studio to contribute from early visual planning through production and final shot delivery, with services spanning both creative development and technical execution.
Film and episodic work
Feature-film projects include Thunderbolts*, for which the studio contributed more than 200 visual effects shots, and the two Rebel Moon films, which together involved nearly 700 shots. Its contribution to Army of the Dead exceeded 500 shots. Other feature credits include Black Panther, Spider-Man: No Way Home, Black Widow, Free Guy and Bird Box.
The studio has also developed a substantial episodic portfolio, including work on Yellowstone, 1883, Lioness, Landman, Mayor of Kingstown and Lawmen: Bass Reeves. Its work on Marvel's Moon Knight included 200 visual effects shots.
In 2023, Mammal expanded into feature production by co-producing the holiday creature film Family Ornaments, directed and visual effects supervised by Gregory Oehler. The project extends the company's activities beyond supplying effects into creating and producing filmed entertainment.
More about Mammal Studios
Founding team and background
- The founding group included visual effects supervisors Gregory Oehler and Gregory Liegey, alongside executive producer Michele Vallillo. Vallillo is also listed as the studio's executive contact in the supplied research.
- Founding team members brought experience from Industrial Light & Magic, Sony Pictures Imageworks, Rhythm & Hues, CIS Hollywood and Digital Domain.
Pipeline development and recognition
- The studio's early pipeline architecture was developed by digital effects supervisor Michael Harbour, compositing supervisor James Kuroda, CG supervisor Jason Wardle and pipeline technical director Janice Barlow Collier.
- Janice Collier received the Shotgun Pipeline Hero Award at SIGGRAPH 2016 for an automated pipeline developed for a 15-to-30-person studio, described as matching the technical capabilities of facilities ten times its size. The award recognized Collier individually.
Local roots and talent development
- The founders chose to remain in Los Angeles during a period when tax incentives were drawing visual effects production elsewhere. The studio's name reflects their analogy between an adaptable boutique business and early mammals surviving larger competitors.
- A 2022 Motion Picture Association profile describes the studio recruiting young artists and technicians from arts and film institutions in Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Notable credits
40 creditsOffices
Where Mammal Studios is based
- 6312 Yucca Street, Hollywood, CA 90028, USALos Angeles, California, United States
Los Angeles office
HeadquartersHollywood headquarters and sole direct studio premises, housing the visual effects pipeline, production facility and client review suites.
Open roles
Find your next role at Mammal Studios