Some types of artists, such as writers, tell stories with words. Other types of artists, such as photographers and painters, tell stories with pictures. Russian- born designer and visual effects (VFX) artist Vitaly Verlov tells his stories with motion graphics and special effects.

Modern motion graphics use digital animation to create the illusion of movement and rotation of 2D or 3D artwork. TV stations and commercials use motion graphics to locate viewers to their channels and brand their shows and products.

“Motion graphics is a general term. It's something that visually can be executed in different ways and styles,” Verlov explained. “It can be two-dimensional, flat or illustrated looking as well as three-dimensional.”

Verlov has created motion graphics that have appeared in commercials for some of the largest and most recognizable brands in the world such as Samsung, Nokia and Mitsubishi. He’s also created motion graphics for the worldwide music channels MTV and VH1 and for the Russian channel RUTV.

Even though Verlov’s work has boosted the image of some of the world’s most successful companies, his work is about much more than mere brand identity – Verlov’s work contains narrative.

“Motion design is storytelling,” Verlov said. “When making a TV show opener or a channel ident, you're actually making a short, animated 10- to 15-second piece, which tells a story visually.”

VFX, on the other hand, integrates photorealistic special effects into live action shots, a technique commonly used in film and TV shows to create scenes that would otherwise not be possible. Verlov’s style of motion graphics translated seamlessly to VFX, which has brought him consistent work in the film industry.

“My direction is more 3D oriented,” Verlov said. “That's why it substantially intersects with the visual effects field.”

Verlov was the lead 2D VFX artist for the Chinese sci-fi feature film Impossible, which was directed by Zhou Sun (I Do, Breaking the Silence). During the film’s post-production, Verlov worked on the film’s VFX in the Beijing studio of international VFX production company Pixomondo, which has created VFX for numerous major titles such as Game of Thrones, Furious 7,and Fantastic Four.

But Verlov hasn’t just worked on other people’s projects. In fact, he’s made two films of his own and was heavily involved in the VFX production for each title. 

Verlov’s first film, Forever After, was a sci-fi story about a couple’s encounter with a mysterious alien phenomenon. The film showed at the Cannes Film Festival, the most prestigious film festival in the world, in 2012. Despite the film’s modest budget,Forever After featured breathtakingly realistic VFX and high overall production value.

Redux, Verlov’s latest film, stars Hollywood actors Eric Roberts (The Dark Knight, The Expendables, The Cable Guy) and Russell Fenton (Deceptors, Freshman Psych). The sci-fi drama about a scientist, an assault team and a time-travelling warning message features a retro-futuristic vibe straight out of the 1980s. 

Verlov, who wrote, directed and edited Redux, is currently working its VFX. Redux is the latest credit in what is already an impressive portfolio for Verlov, one that is sure to grow with even more ambitious titles in the future.

You can check out Vitaly Verlov's awesome reel below, and you can also find out more about his work through his website: http://primevalues.net/

            Let’s say you’re a soccer fan, or maybe you know someone who’s a big soccer fan, or you just like watching sports on television. There’s so much more to watching a sport on television - or in person - than the actual game being played. In today’s information age, we want to know more. More is more. That means when you’re watching a game of soccer on television, in between plays, you want to see numbers. You want to see statistics, and a player’s history.

            That’s where Nikola Todorovic comes in. He’s the guy who makes the dazzling graphics that light up your television screen when your favorite player’s headshot shows up, along with his statistics. Nikola is the guy who creates the beautiful graphics that keep you entertained when the referees are arguing with each other over a call. He makes the timeouts go by quicker and fulfills the audiences desire for more information.

            Nikola was the lead Visual Effects Artist on the television series MLB Presents Japan Confidential, which followed U.S. Major League Baseball athletes, primarily Japanese players, reporting on their lives and showing clips of their most notable plays and career highlights. The show’s producer has often said that Nikola’s part in the production was so crucial that without him the show would not have been complete. Not even if the game-winning goal was scored in the last second. That’s because Nikola’s the guy who hustles after that last goal to put up the graphics to inform audiences about the winning team’s record, and who they’re playing next.

            The Fox Sports Channel is home to the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Soccer tournament, which it proudly broadcasts every year to over 52 million households. The tournament’s official production company, Tourbeau Sports Group LLC, says Nikola’s work was “instrumental” to the company’s success.

            The next time you’re watching a game of soccer, and there’s an amazing play, pay attention to something else. Forget about the guy who’s screaming his head off in delight, as he’s high-fived by his teammates. Forget the goalie cringing in shame at the missed block. Look at the graphics lighting up your television screen like fireworks. That’s the true game-winning goal right there.