Stargate Studios
Stargate Studios, founded in 1989 by Sam Nicholson ASC, is a production company known for its excellence in visual effects and virtual storytelling, serving as a trusted creative partner for Hollywood's iconic films, television series, and interactive projects. They have set industry standards with projects like The Walking Dead, NCIS, Black Mirror, and recent virtual production works including Bookie and The Lincoln Lawyer, leveraging a specialized team of visual effects artists, technologists, cinematographers, and producers. The studio pioneered virtual backlot technology, enabling real-time compositing of digital environments on set.
Services
Specializations
Notable Projects
The Walking Dead
2010TV Series
Client: AMC
Role: Visual effects
Black Mirror
2011TV Series
Client: Netflix
Role: Visual effects
Bookie
2023TV Series
Client: Max
Role: Virtual production and on-set playback
The Lincoln Lawyer
2022TV Series
Client: Netflix
Role: Virtual production and on-set playback
Five Nights at Freddy's
2023Film
Client: Universal Pictures
Role: Visual effects
Insidious: The Red Door
2023Film
Client: Sony Pictures
Role: Visual effects
The Black Phone
2021Film
Client: Universal Pictures
Role: Visual effects
One Piece
2023TV Series
Client: Netflix
Role: Visual effects
Awards & Recognition
Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Special Visual Effects
for “The Walking Dead”
Visual Effects Society Award
for “The Walking Dead”
American Society of Cinematographers Award for Technical Achievement
for “Virtual Production Innovations”
Key Personnel
Sam Nicholson
CEO and Founder
Notable Projects: The Walking Dead, Black Mirror
Cinematographer and visual effects supervisor who founded the company in 1989; pioneered virtual backlot technology.
James Riley
EVP Development and VFX Supervisor/Producer
Notable Projects: Bookie, The Lincoln Lawyer
Oversees development and production for virtual production projects.
Matthew Finley
Visual Effects Supervisor
Previous: The Third Floor
Notable Projects: Five Nights at Freddy's
Experienced VFX supervisor for indie and major films.
Nate Foster
Visual Effects Supervisor
Notable Projects: Insidious: The Red Door
Atlanta-based VFX supervisor specializing in compositing and matchmove.
Nicolas Dolan Ureño
Editorial, VFX & Animation Supervisor
Previous: Scanline VFX, FX Networks
Notable Projects: The Black Phone
Handles editorial and VFX for multiple high-profile projects.
Contact Information
Company Status
Locations
Social Media
Additional Information
Stargate Studios is known for its proprietary Virtual Backlot system, which revolutionized on-set VFX by allowing real-time compositing of digital environments. The company has expanded internationally with facilities in Europe and North America, focusing on sustainable production practices and has won multiple Emmys for TV visual effects.