Growing up with a photographic dye lab and photo-processing operation in his home in New Jersey, Ed learned about film at an early age. His father, a well known commercial retoucher, did much of the work at home (before Photoshop). Mattes, stripping in new backgrounds, and compositing are nothing new.
Ed Chapman began his career in production as a recording engineer in New Jersey. A graduate of New York Institute of Technology with a BFA Magna Cum Laude in Communications, Ed taught recording studio theory while still a student. The recording studio, co-founded with his brother in 1970, was a haven for jazz and rock musicians as well as the home of several syndicated radio programs. He created music and sound effects for the shows as well as scoring documentaries.
In 1974, Chapman joined Dancer Fitzgerald Sample, later to become Saatchi & Saatchi, where he built their in-house recording operation. Working on hundreds of animatics and lower budget productions, he became intimately familiar with the technical side of production. He began directing, shooting, and editing test commercials for clients such as Proctor & Gamble and General Mills. He also directed several rock videos for MTV, and was nominated for best "underground" video. Ed began working with the fledgling computer graphics industry where he developed computer generated logos, transitions and effects for Shulton, Proctor and his videos. Ed produced hundreds of live action and animated commercials for national clients such as Chase, Hanes and Leggs Pantyhose, Wendy's and others.
Ed was asked to create and head the broadcast production department at Saatchi's Los Angeles offices in 1986. He ultimately built a department with 26 employees and an in-house broadcast digital editing and computer graphics operation that would rival some of those in Hollywood.
Chapman produced commercials for Saatchi LA's principal account, Toyota, and other accounts such as Pioneer Electronics and Yamaha Motorcycles, as well as directing spots for Toyota. He also designed and shot virtual reality movies of all of Toyota's cars and trucks that was incorporated into CD-ROMs and Toyota's web site. Working with some of the top directors and editors, Ed learned many "tricks of the trade". Additionally his hands on experience with editing systems, integrating graphics, computers, and other technologies, became an invaluable tool to creating effective spots.
Ed's interest in the technical and digital aspects of film lead him to a career in special effects. As one of the fastest growing segments of the film industry, Ed shows his technical knowledge as well as problem solving skills in every project. His hands on knowledge of Flint / Flame / Inferno and other visual and graphics software allow him to creatively approach each assignment. His experience as a director / cameraman, editor, and musician, combined with his computer knowledge and love of technology, give Ed a unique vision to the challenges of special effects.