Susan Zwerman

Susan Zwerman, ves, is an experienced Visual Effects Producer with a passion for cutting-edge film production. She is highly respected for her expertise in VFX and Virtual Production Budgeting and Scheduling.

As chair of the DGA UPM/AD VFX Digital Technology Committee, Susan organizes virtual production seminars to introduce members to this exciting and evolving new technology.

Virtual Production Producer, November 2020–March 2021. Freelance budgeting consultant for Sony Innovation Studios (SIS). Supervised the Virtual Production budgeting of various test projects both in Film and TV and designed a Movie Magic Budgeting template for virtual production. Supervised all the CG Assets and LED Wall bidding with outside vendors. Built strong relationships with VFX facilities and film production vendors working in virtual production.

Studio Executive Producer, Exceptional Minds, 2013–2020. Created a VFX and 2D animation studio for artists on the Autism Spectrum. Organized the training of the artists and secured paid work for them on various feature films and television shows through my strong ties with vendors in the industry. Handled all job budgeting and bidding and supervised all aspects of running the Exceptional Minds Studio. Hired production staff.

Exceptional Minds VFX credits: Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019), Avengers: Endgame (2019), Captain Marvel (2019), Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018), Green Book (2018), Avengers: Infinity War (2018), Black Panther (2018), Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017), Pitch Perfect 3 (2017), Thor: Ragnarok (2017), War for the Planet of the Apes (2017), Doctor Strange (2016), Captain America: Civil War (2016), X-Men: Apocalypse (2016), Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015), Ant-Man (2015), and The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2 (2015).

Visual Effects Producer, 1996–2013, credits on Tall Tale, Broken Arrow, Firebirds, Alien Resurrection, Men of Honor, Around the World in 80 Days, The Guardian, and many more. Worked as a freelance DGA UPM prior to 2013.

Recipient of the Frank Capra Achievement Award, in recognition of career achievement and service to the industry and to the Directors Guild of America (2013). Recipient of the VES Fellows Award, recognizing achievements and contributions to the art, science, or business of visual effects (2019).

Grammy Award winner, "Best Concept Music Video" for producing I'm Fat, the music video starring Weird Al Yankovic (1988).

Co-author, with Charles Finance, of The Visual Effects Producer: Understanding the Art and Business of VFX. Editor of The VES Handbook of Visual Effects and The VES Handbook of Virtual Production with Jeffrey Okun.

Role with the VES

VES Board Member 2023  - VES Editor with Jeffrey Okun of  The VES Handbook of Visual Effects - (Third Edition) published in July 2020.