Bonfire Bolsters Creative Capabilities with Three New Hires

It’s getting hotter at Bonfire in New York, the creative studio known for its roster of in-house talent and its proprietary, cloud-based system for delivering work across a range of post production disciplines. Jason Mayo, who recently joined as partner and managing director, has announced a series of new hires designed to expand the boutique’s creative and client-service capabilities while adding depth to its creative leadership.

Joining as creative director is Gene Nazarov, whose resume includes time spent at Brand New School, UVPHACTORY, The Mill and Postal. Also joining Bonfire is producer Tierney Farrell, who comes over from Chimney, and 3D Artist Hee Hye Moon, who comes over from the freelance ranks. To view Gene’s work, go here. 

Gene’s work, which exhibits a design-driven approach to such disciplines as motion graphics, animation, VFX and live action, ranges from commercials to broadcast promos to opening title sequences and experiential projects. His clients include Pepsi, Nike, Bulova, Coke, Spectrum and many more.  

The move reunites Jason and Gene, who worked together when the former was running design and VFX shop Postal. “Gene came up working at studios run by creative people who had impressive design backgrounds but were also on the box, which made their work highly visual and always very graphic,” Jason says. “I’d tried to hire him earlier in my career, but the stars didn’t align for us until now.” 

Gene grew up in an artistic environment and attended New York’s famed LaGuardia High School. He went on to the School of Visual Arts, where he focused his studies on graphic design and computer arts. His first job out of school was at Attik, the venerable, London-based design and creative agency that was highly regarded for its work on a roster of major brands, where he quickly found a niche bridging the worlds of more traditional design with 3D animation and motion graphics. 

Jason joined Bonfire this past October, bringing his broad experience in digital and post production to the studio’s management team, which includes founder and flame artist Brendan O’Neil; partner and creative director Aaron Baxter; partner and EP Dave Dimeola; and partner Peter Corbett. 

Jason says he and Gene share a shorthand style of communicating based on years of close collaboration. “And Gene has this uncanny ability to listen to clients and then conceptualise just what they’re asking for, and because of his 3D skills in the suite, he can show them exactly what he’s thinking of,” he continues. “He’s this right-brain, left-brain hybrid who’s detail-oriented yet highly creative, and works very easily with directors. When you put him together with Brendan and Aaron, it’s like having this three-headed monster we can let loose on projects.” 

For his part, Gene says he’s eager to partner with the Bonfire team, and expects to find the same kind of single-minded simpatico that characterised his best working relationships in the past. “I like being part of a tight band that makes everything flow easily, one in which our goal is to put our heads together and come up with great solutions,” he says. “And I see that at Bonfire. They’re a group of talented people with lots to offer clients, and who make it fun and creative in the process. If we have that kind of culture internally, it naturally carries over to what we can deliver.”

Tierney’s hire presents Bonfire with a producer who hails from the creative ranks; prior to getting into post production she was an award-winning, New York-based photographer who worked for a range of clients. “Tierney reflects how everyone here brings a creative point of view to their work, and she’s no exception,” says Jason. 

“I was ready to make a strategic move, and when the opportunity opened up, it seemed like the perfect fit,” Tierney says about joining the studio. “I was excited about the people, the culture and the potential. I also have a lot of respect for Jason and am looking forward to working more closely with him. I’m also excited about the opportunity to be with a young company where I can play a leadership role and help chart its growth.” 

Tierney’s transition from shooting stills to post production is a tale of intersecting lines: Booked to accompany a film crew shooting the documentary 'When Lions Become Lambs' in Kenya, she was caught up in the excitement and energy of film production. After working alongside the film from its beginnings, she saw obvious parallels to what she did running her photography business and post producing a film project.

Rounding out the new hires is Hee Hye, who joins Bonfire from the freelance ranks, where she worked with Mayo during his time at Postal. “She started for us there as an intern, and her capabilities have just continued to grow,” Jason explains. “She’s young, super-talented and hungry – exactly the kind of person I want to have around here at Bonfire!”