Creative design studio Republic, has announced the latest additions to its creative leadership team, with industry veterans Barrett Lewis and Patton Tunstall joining as Creative Directors.
Their collective experience and expertise bring added depth and versatility to Republic’s design, visual effects (VFX), and animation capabilities. The accomplished duo will collaborate with visionary Creative Director Jesse James Jones, Jr., as well as Republic’s core team of designers, animators, art directors, and visual effects artists, contributing to ongoing projects within the studio’s pipeline.
STAY INFORMED! GET INSPIRED!
Subscribe to our FREE weekly elert and get the latest news in advertising, film, TV, production, post-production and more!
Amy Aitken, Executive Producer at Republic Design, expressed her enthusiasm about the new additions, saying, “I’m thrilled to finally share the news of these two powerhouse talents joining our team. Their individual and collaborative work has been nothing short of breathtaking. They’ve demonstrated their capability to lead projects of various sizes and complexities. Barrett and Patton, like Jesse, enjoy strong reputations in our industry, and even in the short time they’ve been with us, I can see them elevating our team’s capabilities, workflow, and overall chemistry. I can’t wait to witness their impact.”
Barrett Lewis, previously with ReelFX and its sister companies ATK PLN and Flight School, brings a history of excellence to Republic. As an award-winning artist, he boasts an Emmy for “Outstanding Art Direction” received at the Atlantic Festival’s 2021 virtual conference. Lewis has been creating impactful art and music since his childhood and attended Houston’s renowned HSPVA arts magnet. He earned his degree in CG animation from the Art Institute and commenced his career in 2001 as a character animator at ReelFX.
Desiring more direct collaboration with clients, Lewis transitioned to the finishing side of production, becoming a VFX Supervisor. He worked on high-profile commercials and feature films such as Spy Kids 2, Disney’s The Wild, and The Book of Life. In 2011, he ascended to the role of Creative Director, where his leadership made a substantial impact across various divisions of ReelFX and its affiliated companies. In addition to his directing responsibilities, Lewis has also composed music for numerous notable projects.
Reflecting on his new role at Republic, Barrett Lewis said, “It’s an honor to join such a talented and authentic group of individuals. They epitomize a full-spectrum creative studio, and I’m ecstatic about the magic we’re already creating with this exceptional team. I’ve followed Jesse’s work for a long time, and reuniting with Patton is a true joy.”
REELated:
Patton Tunstall
Patton Tunstall, also a former ReelFX alumnus, grew up in New Orleans, where his experience surviving Hurricane Katrina instilled problem-solving skills from a young age. Combining these abilities with an early passion for computer graphics, he developed a unique perspective on the intersection of technology and art. While still in high school, Tunstall secured a position at 3D model-house TurboSquid. He later attended Full Sail University in Winter Park, FL, before returning to New Orleans and working at Bayou FX as both a 3D and compositing artist.
In 2012, Tunstall moved to Dallas to be with his wife at ReelFX, where he served as a digital artist and CG supervisor. His standout accomplishment includes reverse engineering Animal Logic’s own LEGO look development within the constraints of the graphics card for various global marketing campaigns. In 2021, he leveraged his knowledge of coding, GPU rendering, and virtual computing to found his award-winning VFX studio, WhammyFX.
Tunstall shared his excitement about teaming up with Barrett and Jesse at Republic, stating, “Working with Barrett and Jesse under the Republic banner has sparked my creative juices. Barrett and I have collaborated on some incredible projects in the past, and combining those experiences with Republic’s stellar reputation and its talented crew is truly impressive. I’m eagerly anticipating the potential of this collaboration for all of us.”
Reel 360 News wishes Barrett and Patton the best of luck at Republic.
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram
