Jason Chen and Ted Gagliano, Co-Founders of Desert Eclipse, Discuss Revolutionizing Animated Film Production

Jason Chen and Ted Gagliano, veterans of post-production and visual effects, have long observed rising costs and inefficiencies in film production. Now, through their new venture, Desert Eclipse, they are seeking to redefine the process.

Based in Los Angeles, Desert Eclipse is a creative production company leveraging motion capture, gaming engine technology, and selective artificial intelligence to streamline animation projects. Their goal is ambitious: reduce production costs and timelines by half, providing a faster, more affordable alternative at a time when studios are scrutinizing budgets more than ever.

Chen and Gaglianos paths first crossed during the production of "Avatar" over 15 years ago. Gagliano, formerly head of post-production at 20th Century Fox with credits including the original "Star Wars" trilogy, now operates Desert Eclipse from Fox's Century City lot. Chen, the companys CEO, began as a production assistant on "Avatar" and later oversaw visual effects on major projects including "Thor: Ragnarok" and "Jojo Rabbit." Their combined experience gives them confidence in modernizing production workflows while maintaining the artistic essence of filmmaking.

Desert Eclipse recently demonstrated its capabilities on an episode of "The Simpsons," featuring the fictional K-Pop group The Kneesock Dolls. The animated dance sequences were created using Desert Eclipses real-time motion capture technology, showcased during the episodes credits.

The Origins of Desert Eclipse

Chen explained that years of collaboration and observations of inefficiency inspired the creation of Desert Eclipse. We saw so much waste in the industry, from repeated asset creation to inflated budgets, he said. Their focus is on reducing redundancies and making high-quality production accessible to emerging filmmakers, producers, and artisans, while retaining the high standards of cinematic storytelling.

Gagliano added that operating from a stage under the historic Zanuck Theater symbolizes their commitment to blending traditional filmmaking with cutting-edge technology. The company aims to provide a foundation for creatives, enabling them to produce projects faster and more affordably.

Innovative Approach to Animation

Desert Eclipse distinguishes itself by integrating technology with creative guidance. Unlike traditional animation studios with timelines stretching three to four years, the company aims to match live-action production timelines of 12 to 18 months. Their mantra is producing animated films at half the cost and twice the speed of conventional methods.

The company operates across three areas: service projects like The Simpsons, co-produced passion projects, and original intellectual property from graphic novels and other concepts. By providing tools, expertise, and motion capture actors, Desert Eclipse allows creatives to bring ambitious projects to life more efficiently than ever before.

Technology Meets Creativity

Chen emphasized that a significant part of their strategy is creating digital asset libraries to streamline production. Building fully CG environments is exponentially more complex than real life, he noted. Desert Eclipse supplies foundational CG kits, allowing creatives to construct worlds efficiently while maintaining artistic control.

Their work on The Simpsons exemplified this approach. Desert Eclipse collaborated closely with producers, planning the shoot like a live-action production and casting performers from their extensive network of actors, martial artists, and gymnasts. In one day, they captured over 100 performance setups, demonstrating the efficiency of their system.

Incorporating AI Thoughtfully

Chen and Gagliano are attentive to AIs growing role in entertainment. While generative AI garners attention, Desert Eclipse focuses on integrating AI-driven tools to enhance productivity and creativity, ensuring artists remain central to the process. Real-time game engine technology allows immediate iteration, with AI used selectively to support creative workflows.

Impact on Jobs and the Industry

The company stresses that artists remain essential, but the new workflow enables them to work on more projects and focus on creative tasks. By streamlining production and expanding opportunities for performance capture actors, Desert Eclipse aims to generate more jobs and maintain a thriving creative ecosystem in Los Angeles.

Through Desert Eclipse, Chen and Gagliano are redefining animation production, combining technology, efficiency, and experience to empower both established and emerging creatives, ultimately reshaping how animated films are made.

Author: Harper Simmons