Pro Hello: Yarin Manes

Yarin Manes is an award-winning creative director and VFX supervisor at Arc Creative. With a wealth of experience in the visual effects industry, Yarin is renowned for his dedication, creativity, and technical expertise. His leadership and innovative approach continue to elevate visual storytelling, inspiring teams and captivating audiences worldwide.

Today, he shares his journey so far.

LBB> What do you do, and where are you based?

Yarin> I'm a Los Angeles-based creative director and VFX supervisor with a focus on translating bold creative ideas into immersive visual experiences. I lead high-concept projects that merge storytelling, design and cutting-edge technology. I also supervise complex shoots and collaborate closely with clients and crews to ensure the creative direction is executed flawlessly.

LBB> What recent campaigns might we know you from, and what was your input on these campaigns?

​Yarin> Two that come to mind are the Disney 'Stitch' Super Bowl trailer and the MGM+ 'Leo The Lion'. On the 'Lilo & Stitch' project, I supervised all aspects of the VFX, working closely with Disney to ensure that Stitch's iconic personality came through in a fresh and engaging way. It was incredibly fulfilling.

The MGM+ campaign was especially memorable. Leo the Lion is an iconic character in cinema history, and being part of that history was a real honor. I was the VFX supervisor for the project, and my primary responsibility was ensuring the CG felt contemporary and realistic while honoring the legacy of the legendary roar.

LBB> How did you first get into the industry, and how did you realise what you wanted to do?

Yarin> After earning a degree in Film and Animation, I continued my studies at the Gnomon School of Visual Effects in Los Angeles, completing the full three-year Generalist Program. After graduating, I was recruited by Warner Brothers to develop the lighting and look development for the remake of 'Akira'. I had the opportunity to work closely with the Hughes brothers, who directed the film, giving me real insight into high-level creative direction.

LBB> Tell us about your journey so far.

​Yarin> My journey began as a 2D compositor and evolved when I moved to the U.S. to study at Gnomon and become a 3D generalist, which shaped me as a supervisor. Early on, I realised my role is to help filmmakers bring ideas to life. To do that well, you need fluency in a wide range of tools and approaches — both creatively and technically. I've always been drawn to using technology in the service of creativity. It's not about the tech itself, but about expressing ideas through powerful visuals.

Naturally, I wanted to gain as much experience and variety as possible before settling into a studio. I worked in many great studios over the years and collaborated with a wide range of clients, agencies, directors and artists on commercials and features.

Over time, I gravitated toward leadership roles where I could guide the entire visual journey -- shaping both the creative vision and technical execution across a wide range of projects.

LBB> What projects/campaigns that you've been involved in have been the most personally satisfying to work on, and why?

​Yarin> Several have left a strong impression on me, but in addition to the ones I mentioned above, the Crypto.com Super Bowl spot with LeBron James was especially rewarding both personally and creatively. If you stepped into my home office, you'd see a lot of LeBron stuff (and way too many pairs of shoes). As a long-time fan, collaborating on a project centered around him made it even more meaningful. I worked closely with the director Calmatic to stay true to the story and his vision, on top of having to produce an ultra-realistic CG LeBron, of course. It was an experience I'll never forget.

I also loved working on 'The World Is on Netflix' with Robert Stromberg. It was a richly layered project that involved building a new CG character with a wide range of expression. There's an intense close-up where the character becomes deeply expressive and sheds a tear -- and you can really feel a human presence through this alien figure. That kind of emotional impact through visuals is incredibly rewarding.

LBB> What sort of projects really get you excited at the moment?

​Yarin> I'm drawn to ambitious projects that explore the edges of what's visually achievable -- the kind that set new trends and require creative problem-solving and innovative techniques. That's where I do my best work. Lately, I've also been integrating AI tools into my process to streamline certain tasks and give the team more room to focus on the creative choices that really matter.

LBB> What's been your proudest achievement?

​Yarin> Winning the VES Award for my role as CG lead on Walmart's 'Famous Visitors'. The spot blended many complex VFX techniques-from CG characters to detailed compositing-that had to seamlessly work together. Plus, having the award presented by Danny DeVito made the moment even more unforgettable.

LBB> Who are your creative heroes, and why?

​Yarin> I've always admired visionaries who push the boundaries of visual effects in the service of storytelling. Douglas Trumbull, with his groundbreaking work on '2001: A Space Odyssey', 'Blade Runner' and 'Close Encounters', continues to inspire me and redefine what's possible in filmmaking. John Gaeta -- the legendary mind behind "bullet time" in 'The Matrix' -- revolutionised action filmmaking. Peter Jackson's 'Lord of the Rings' trilogy set a new bar for blending practical and digital effects. And Paul Franklin's work on 'Inception', where he merged surreal visuals with intricate storytelling, is a masterclass in thoughtful VFX.

These people don't just create beautiful images -- they elevate the story without drawing attention to their techniques. There's a humble kind of genius in that approach that I truly admire.

LBB> Outside of the day job, what fuels your creativity?

​Yarin> That's easy -- music and photography. Music is a huge part of my day, both personally and professionally. It sets a rhythm and creates atmosphere, no matter what I'm working on. Photography keeps me curious. It sharpens my eye for composition and detail, and helps me stay observant. But more than anything, my greatest inspiration comes from my wife and little boy -- they remind me every day why storytelling matters and keep me grounded in what's real.

I've also recently joined Arc Creative, which has been an exciting new chapter -- surrounded by talented people and creative momentum.