Creative Director


Aidan Thomas
Aidan is a well-respected industry veteran, trusted for his on-set problem solving skills and ability to guide projects smoothly from pre-production through final delivery. He joined Shape+Light as a Creative Director in 2022, having previously spent 12 years at Method Studios where he worked his way up from Senior Flame Artist to Creative Director. He began his career at MPC and The Mill, where he made a name for himself as one of the industry’s premiere finishing artists. Aidan has collaborated with many legendary directors including Michel Gondry, John Hillcoat, Tom Carty, Brian Buckley, and Dante Ariola, and delivered award-winning projects for brands such as MSFT, Google, Dr. Pepper, Levi’s, Coca Cola, Guiness, Ford, Honda, Apple, Nike, and Taco Bell. Based in Los Angeles, he was born and raised in London and remains a diehard Arsenal fan.

Managing Director


Cara Lehr
Cara has been leading Shape+Light since its inception in 2019, bringing over two decades of VFX experience at award-winning shops including Method Studios, Digital Domain, Psyop, Asylum, and Brickyard VFX. With her insightful nature and ability to take decisive action, she excels at understanding and meeting the unique needs of each client and project. Throughout her career, Cara has been trusted by leading brands including Apple, Meta, Nike, Chevrolet, the NFL, and many more, to shepherd them through the post-production process. She is also dedicated to nurturing new talent. Outside of the office, Cara can often be found racing sailboats, surfing remote waves, or skateboarding with her two boys.

Creative Director


Aaron Neitz
Aaron joined Shape+Light as a Creative Director in 2021, bringing years of experience as one of the ad world’s top Flame artists. He has worked across commercials, music videos, feature films, documentaries, and short form, with notable ad clients including Google, Meta, Gatorade, and just about every major automotive brand. In his early career he specialized in music videos and surf films, then dabbled in features (with several going to festivals including TIFF and Sundance), before finally landing in commercial finishing, where he frequently collaborates with sought-after directors including Dave Meyers and Daps. Prior to joining Shape+Light, Aaron spent over a decade at Riot/Method Studios as a Lead Flame Artist, and 8 years in editorial at King Cut. He came to sunny Los Angeles 20 years ago from the cold of Boston, and has a very personable dog named Scout.

Senior Flame Artist


Emily Irvine
Emily has been creating elegant visuals for nearly two decades, specializing in beauty work across commercials, music videos, short form, TV, and film. Originally from Australia, she began her career in London at boutique post studio Big Buoy and later Prime Focus, before moving to Los Angeles to join Method Studios. After eight years at Method, Emily joined Shape+Light in 2021 as a Senior Flame Artist. She has worked with numerous clients throughout her career including Olay, Dove, Lancome, Glossier, Grey Goose, Absolut, Corona, Patron, Taco Bell, DoorDash, Chevrolet, Kia and the California Lottery. She has also worked on many celebrity-driven campaigns with talent such as Keira Knightley, Madonna, George Michael, and Janet Jackson.

Senior Producer


Arielle Weir
Arielle’s foray into the world of advertising and post-production started at Margarita Mix in Santa Monica, where she worked in client services and incidentally learned how to make a fabulous margarita. From there Arielle joined MPC Film as a Virtual Production Coordinator, serving the team responsible for films such as The Lion King and Sonic the Hedgehog. She joined Shape+Light in 2020, bringing her experience with post-production and emerging technologies to benefit brand clients including Dr. Pepper, Google, Taco Bell, and many more. Outside the office, and occasionally inside of it, Arielle can likely be found cuddling her dog, Cleo.

Producer


Jade Fuller
Jade joined Shape+Light in August 2021 and quickly rose to the Producer role thanks to her natural problem-solving capabilities, effective communication skills, and collaborative nature. Her tireless work ethic has earned her a reputation for reliability with both colleagues and clients, which include leading brands such as Microsoft, Google, Nike, Corona, and Patron. Jade began her career in advertising as a Resource Manager at Los York, which provided her with a strong foundation in project management and organizational skills. Born and raised on the central coast of California, she has a passion for live music and has seen over 500 shows.

Flame Artist


Austin Lewis
Austin joined Shape+Light in 2019 after a long and fruitful career as a freelance editor and Flame artist, working with shops including Framestore, Brand New School, Cabin Editing Company, Timber, Shipping + Handling, and many others. A graduate of Columbia College of Hollywood with a degree in Cinema and Directing, he has always had a passion for creativity and produced the award-winning short “Paper and Colored Pencils.” Austin was born and raised in Sacramento, and is currently in the midst of teaching his young son how to skateboard.

Producer


Rachel Pring
Rachel joined the Shape+Light team in 2021 and quickly worked her way up from Coordinator to Production Manager to Producer. With a sharp eye for detail, strategic mindset, and infectious energy, she excels in managing all aspects of resourcing, scheduling, and project execution. Her warm attitude and team spirit have earned her the respect of colleagues and clients alike. Originally from the Pacific Northwest and now based in LA, Rachel does not take the Southern California weather for granted, and she enjoys exploring the city’s rich film history.

Flame Artist


Patrick Hunsberger
Pat’s official title is Flame Artist, but he’s more commonly known as the glue that holds Shape+Light together. With 15 years of industry experience, he excels at multitasking, often running multiple jobs at once while always being available for a helping hand or empathetic ear. Prior to joining Shape+Light in 2021, he spent over a decade as a Flame Artist at Method Studios. Outside of work, Pat is passionate about snowboarding and often travels to far-flung locales to shred the gnar.

Junior Flame Artist


Eugene Vernikov
Eugene is a Junior Flame Artist who joined the Shape+Light team in December 2022. He has held various post-production roles throughout his career at studios including Light Iron, The Artery VFX, Lost Planet Editorial, and Nomad, giving him a well-rounded background across both visual effects and editorial. He is Shape+Light’s resident New Yorker, where he lives in Brooklyn with his pet hedgehog, Spike.
