DAVID W. VALENTIN

David, an award-winning director, and producer, has helped to create some of the most iconic and enduring images in motion picture history. He holds credits on some of the highest grossing films of all time, having spent many years at George Lucas’s premiere visual effects facility Industrial Light and Magic where he worked on such films as Lost World: Jurassic Park, Men In Black, Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace and The Green Mile. He went on to produce the visual effects for acclaimed Chinese director Zhang Yimou’s wuxia classic Hero.
As the Executive Producer & Founder of Mr. Smith Studios, David W. Valentin works with corporate, small business and 501c3 clients to develop and create the video content which embodies their values, brand messaging and marketing objectives. As a visual effects expert who has produced work at the forefront of digital innovation for over 20 years, David knows how to leverage leading-edge technology for his clients to help tell their stories with cinematic aesthetics within cost-conscious budgets.

David also consults with start ups to better position their technology toward gaining first round funding.

A Bay Area native, David received his degree from the California College of the Arts. He is currently Chair for the Visual Effects Society Bay Area Section, serves on the VES Awards Committee and as an alternate to VES Board of Directors. In his spare time David works with youth from under-served communities to find their first jobs and mentors recent college graduates who have majored in visual effects.

Role with the VES

Chair, Bay Area Section, Board of Directors, Awards Committee