Merzin Tavaria
Company co-founder
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Merzin Tavaria (born 15 December 1973) is the Chief Creative Director and co-founder, Prime Focus.[1] He has been associated with the company since its inception and works in collaboration with the United Kingdom, United States, Canada and India studios of Prime Focus.[2]
15 December 1973
Merzin Tavaria | |
|---|---|
| Born | Merzin Tavaria 15 December 1973 |
| Alma mater | K.C. College, Mumbai |
| Occupations | Chief Creative Director and co-founder, Prime Focus |
Tavaria has worked for about two decades in the media and entertainment industry and is respected for his contribution towards the use of color grading and visual effects in India. He is also a jury member at various film and advertising festivals, and has been a speaker on many industry related events.[3][4]
Early life and education
Tavaria grew up in Mumbai and completed his schooling from St. Peter's School, Mumbai in 1991. In 1995, he graduated with a bachelor's degree in Commerce from K.C. College, Mumbai.
Career
Tavaria started his career as teacher at Compufield Computer Institute, where he met Namit Malhotra, Prakash Kurup and Huzefa Lokhandwala.[5] In 1997, they came together and started 'Prime Focus' in a small garage in Mumbai.[6]
Under Prime Focus, Tavaria has led teams delivering visual effects for Hollywood films such as The Great Gatsby, Total Recall, White House Down, Sin City: A Dame to Kill For and Brett Ratner's Hercules.[7] Tavaria has also directed the visual effects for Bollywood films like Bang Bang!, Kick, Kai Po Che!, Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, Dabangg 2, Guzaarish, Housefull 2, Blue, and Ghajini.[8][9][10]
In 2010, when Prime Focus created View-D, their proprietary 2D to stereo 3D conversion process, Tavaria set up the View-D team of 2000 professionals in India who currently operate out of Prime Focus' Mumbai, Chandigarh and Goa facilities.[11] This team undertook the 3D conversion of Warner Bros.' Clash of the Titans – the first full length feature film to be converted from 2D to 3D.[12] Tavaria was sought for creative leadership in the 3D conversion of films like Gravity, Guardians of the Galaxy, Transformers: Age of Extinction, World War Z, Men in Black 3, Star Wars: Episode I, II & III, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2, Transformers: Dark of the Moon, Maleficent, Seventh Son, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader and Ra.One.[13][14][15]
Tavaria launched Prime Focus World's Animation division in 2012. The division holds 100 employees and has worked on projects such as Legends of Chima. The animation division completed 4 seasons of the show and is now working on new projects.[16]
Awards and accolades
- Apollo Award 2014 for Best VFX in International Feature Film category for Sin City: A Dame to Kill For.[17]
- 24 FPS Award 2014 for Best VFX in International Feature Film category for Sin City: A Dame to Kill For.
- 24 FPS Award 2013 for Best VFX in International Feature Film category for White House Down.[18]
- Gold Award, Filmcraft (Special Effects), Goafest 2011 for Indigo Airlines 'On Time' commercial.
- CGTantra Community Awards 2011 for Best VFX in Commercial for Zen Estilo advertisement.
- Apsara Awards 2011 for Best Visual Effects for Guzaarish.[19]
- EME Awards 2011 for Best Film Content Guzaarish.[20]
- EME Awards 2011 for the Best TV Content for Indigo Airlines 'On-Time' advert.[21]
- Award of Excellence at ASIFA IAD 2010 for Raavan.[22]
- Apsara Awards 2010 for 'Best Visual Effects' for Blue.[23]
- IIFA Award 2009 for 'Best Visual Effects' for Ghajini.[24]
- Filmfare Award 2009 for 'Best VFX in a Motion Picture' for Love Story 2050.[25]
- FICCI BAF Jury Award for 'Best VFX Shot of the Year' for Love Story 2050.[26]
- 24fps Award 2008 for 'Outstanding Contribution to Visual Effects' for Love Story 2050.[27]
- FICCI BAF Award 2008 for 'Best VFX in a Commercial' for Honda CBZ "Hero".
Filmography
International films
Hindi films
| Year | Film | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Bang Bang![54] | VFX Creative Director |
| Kick[55] | VFX Creative Director | |
| 2013 | Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani[56] | VFX Creative Director |
| 2012 | English Vinglish[57] | VFX Creative Director |
| OMG - Oh My God![58] | VFX Creative Director | |
| Ek Tha Tiger[59] | VFX Creative Director | |
| Cocktail[60] | VFX Creative Director | |
| Housefull 2[61] | VFX Creative Director | |
| Ekk Deewana Tha[62] | Visual Effects Creative Director | |
| Jannat 2[63] | Visual Effects Creative Director | |
| Paan Singh Tomar[64] | VFX Creative Director | |
| Agent Vinod[65] | VFX Creative Director | |
| Players[66] | VFX Creative Director | |
| 2011 | Rockstar[67] | VFX Creative Director |
| Ra.One[68] | VFX Creative Director | |
| Shaitan[69] | VFX Creative Director | |
| Murder 2[70] | VFX Creative Director | |
| No One Killed Jessica[71] | VFX Creative Director | |
| Bollywood: The Greatest Love Story Ever Told | VFX Creative Director | |
| 2010 | Guzaarish[72] | VFX Creative Director |
| Housefull[73] | VFX Creative Director | |
| Prince[74] | VFX Creative Director | |
| Raavan[75] | VFX Creative Director | |
| Bumm Bumm Bole[76] | VFX Creative Director | |
| 2009 | Wanted | VFX Creative Director |
| Blue[77] | Visual Effects Supervisor | |
| Do Knot Disturb | Visual Effects Supervisor | |
| Wake Up Sid[78] | Visual Effects Supervisor | |
| Love Aaj Kal[79] | Visual Effects Supervisor | |
| Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani[80] | Visual Effects Supervisor | |
| Luck | Visual Effects Supervisor | |
| Tum Mile[81] | Visual Effects Supervisor | |
| 8 x 10 Tasveer[82] | Visual Effects Supervisor | |
| Raaz: The Mystery Continues[83] | Visual Effects Supervisor | |
| Paa[84] | Visual Effects Supervisor | |
| Chandni Chowk to China[85] | Visual Effects Supervisor | |
| 2008 | Ghajini[86] | Visual Effects Supervisor |
| Bachna Ae Haseeno[87] | Visual Effects Supervisor | |
| Love Story 2050[88] | Visual Effects Supervisor | |
| Kambakkht Ishq[89] | Visual Effects Supervisor | |
| Tashan [90] | Visual Effects Supervisor | |
| Bhoothnath[91] | Visual Effects Supervisor | |
| Saawariya[92] | Visual Effects Supervisor | |
| 2007 | Partner[93] | Visual Effects Supervisor |
| Ta Ra Rum Pum[94] | Visual Effects Supervisor | |
| Heyy Babyy[95] | Head of Visual Effects | |
| Salaam-E-Ishq[96] | Visual Effects Supervisor | |
| Guru[97] | Visual Effects Supervisor | |
| 2006 | Bhagam Bhag[citation needed] | Visual Effects Supervisor |
| Omkara[98] | VFX Supervisor | |
| Jaan-E-Mann [citation needed] | Visual Effects Supervisor | |
| Naksha[99] | Visual Effects Supervisor | |
| Pyare Mohan[100] | Visual Effects Supervisor | |
| Golmaal: Fun Unlimited[101] | Visual Effects Supervisor | |
| Zinda [citation needed] | Visual Effects Supervisor | |
| 2005 | Vaah! Life Ho Toh Aisi![102] | Visual Effects Supervisor |
| Bluffmaster![103] | Visual Effects Supervisor | |
| No Entry | Visual Effects Supervisor | |
| The Rising: Ballad of Mangal Pandey[citation needed] | Visual Effects Supervisor | |
| Dus[104] | Visual Effects Supervisor | |
| Main Aisa Hi Hoon | Editor | |
| Karam | Visual Effects Supervisor | |
| 2004 | Musafir[105] | Visual Effects Supervisor |
| Kyun! Ho Gaya Na...[106] | Visual Effects Supervisor | |
| Mujhse Shaadi Karogi[107] | Visual Effects Supervisor | |
| Khakee[108] | Editor | |
| Run | Visual Effects Supervisor | |
| 2003 | Kuch Naa Kaho[109] | Visual Effects Supervisor |
| Qayamat: City Under Threat[citation needed] | Visual Effects Supervisor / Editor / Promo Packaging | |
| Khushi | Editor | |
| 2002 | Kaante [citation needed] | Visual Effects Supervisor |
| Teesri Aankh: The Hidden Camera | Editor |
Commercials
Indian
| Year | Brand | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Google Chrome 3D [110] | S3D Creative Director |
| 2010 | IndiGo Airlines 'On Time' [111][112] | VFX Creative Director |
| 2010 | Commonwealth Games 2010 Opening Ceremony | VFX Creative Director |
| 2009 | Reliance Mobile 'Simply' | VFX Supervisor |
| 2009 | Central Bank of India | VFX Supervisor |
| 2009 | Maxo | VFX Supervisor |
| 2009 | Whirlpool 'Water You Can Trust' [113] | VFX and Animation Supervisor |
| 2009 | Lotte 'Coffy Bite' [114] | VFX Supervisor |
| 2009 | Honda CBZ Extreme | VFX Supervisor |
International
| Year | Brand | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Relentless Virtues | VFX Creative Director |
| 2010 | Dubai Shopping Festival | VFX Creative Director |
| 2009 | Rhydian's new album 'O Fortuna' | VFX Creative Director |
| 2009 | Popstar to Opera Star | VFX Creative Director |
| 2009 | The National Lottery Bingo Scratch cards | VFX Creative Director |