Picture Mill

Founded in 1995 and located in a refurbished Hollywood automotive garage, Picture Mill is a motion design studio deeply rooted in the traditional tenants of graphic design and filmmaking. Over the last 15 years we have learned that there is no substitute for exceptional thinking combined with hard work. And that eventually, good really will triumph over evil.

Executive Director Rick Probst manages the creative teams and individuals at the Picture Mill. Rick was the first Creative Director of Picture Mill when he joined as a founding member of the company in 1995. Prior to joining Picture Mill, he was the Art Director at ABC Network On-Air-Promotions in Hollywood. Rick played an integral role in the launching of "Home Improvement", "Twin Peaks", "Lois & Clark" and many other primetime hits for ABC. In 1979 Rick was co-designer for the book Airpowered the Art of the Airbrush, published by Random House. Rick has over 30 years of experience in both film and broadcast design. Rick is a graduate of California Institute of the Arts BFA Graphic Design 1975.

Creative Director William Lebeda a graphic designer, animator and director who has worked in the field of entertainment design since the early 1990's. Since joining Picture Mill in 1995, William has designed and directed projects for motion pictures, advertising agencies and television. In 2007, William directed the 2nd Unit for M. Night Shyamalan's The Happening. He is particularly delighted to have been named the best and worst film title designer (The ID Forty, February 2003) for two wildly different projects: Panic Room for David Fincher, and Signs for M. Night Shyamalan. Previous to his experiences in California, William spent most of his youth in and around northern New Mexico. He used to draw a lot more than he does now.

Associate Creative Director David Clayton joined Picture Mill in 2001 after sharpening his skills as an intern and designer at Imaginary Forces. Since becoming a part of Picture Mill, David has progressed from Designer to Art Director to Associate Creative Director. Along with designing and directing title sequences for film and television, David also manages Picture Mill's creative feature marketing team, creating concepts and graphics for film trailers and television campaigns. It should also be noted that David came to the US from London to attend the Rhode Island School of Design. Obviously, he never went back.

Art Director Grant Nellessen began his career at Picture Mill as a freelance animator, Grant's strong sense of design and filmmaking experience quickly moved him into the role of designer and eventually Art Director. His rich background in film production allows him to work in a wide range of production techniques, ranging from traditional animation to live action to complex CG. Grant's hands-on approach and collaborative attitude are key components in the Picture Mill creative process.

David Midgen graduated from the University of Washington with Honors in Cinema Studies. While there he was the Film Coordinator for the Arts and Entertainment program working with a variety of writers and directors screening their films in Seattle. He has spent the past 6 years working with Picture Mill as Production Coordinator, and the past 3 years as Producer.

Producer Beth Dewey began her career in Hollywood as an assistant film editor. She moved into the digital realm in 2000 when she joined Picture Mill to produce digital trailers using the then-emerging technology of Digital Intermediates. Beth left Picture Mill to work more directly in the world of DI and digital color for feature films, producing at both eFilm and Prime Focus. Beth has recently returned to Picture Mill as a Producer and Marketing manager. She is glad to be back. So is Picture Mill.

Justin Greenlee, senior producer, has worked his way up the production ladder in the motion graphics industry over 9 proud years. Justin began his journey with Industry giants Yu&Co and Imaginary Forces before landing at Picture Mill in 2006. Over the 4 and half years that Justin has been with Picture Mill he has produced motion graphics for many highly successful theatrical and television marketing campaigns and logo design and animation projects. Today, Justin is the head of our trailer graphics department where he is leading a team of 6 highly skilled animator / designers into the next frontier of 2D and Stereo 3D motion design.

Bryan Thombs is an experienced 3D animator who is used to working on diverse projects, ranging from elaborate photo real 3D environments to stylized motion graphics, each requiring a balance of technical and creative solutions. His fascination with visual effects and film making started when he was in the 5th grade and by the 11th grade he had taught himself 3D using Lightwave on an Amiga 3000. Bryan enjoys supporting his digital creativity with analog tools and techniques via film photography, block printing as well as pen and ink illustrations.