# Merzin Tavaria

Merzin Tavaria (born 15 December 1973) is the Chief Creative Director and co-founder of Prime Focus. He has been associated with the company since its inception and works in collaboration with the United Kingdom, United States, Canada and India studios of Prime Focus.
Tavaria has worked for about two decades in the media and entertainment industry and is respected for his contribution towards the use of color grading and visual effects in India. He is also a jury member at various film and advertising festivals, and has been a speaker on many industry related events.

## Early life and education

Tavaria grew up in Mumbai and completed his schooling from St. Peter's School, Mumbai in 1991. In 1995, he graduated with a bachelor's degree in Commerce from K.C. College, Mumbai.

## Career

Tavaria started his career as teacher at Compufield Computer Institute, where he met Namit Malhotra, Prakash Kurup and Huzefa Lokhandwala. In 1997, they came together and started 'Prime Focus' in a small garage in Mumbai.
Under Prime Focus, Tavaria has led teams delivering visual effects for Hollywood films such as The Great Gatsby, Total Recall, White House Down, Sin City: A Dame to Kill For and Brett Ratner's Hercules. Tavaria has also directed the visual effects for Bollywood films like Bang Bang!, Kick, Kai Po Che!, Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, Dabangg 2, Guzaarish, Housefull 2, Blue, and Ghajini.
In 2010, when Prime Focus created View-D, their proprietary 2D to stereo 3D conversion process, Tavaria set up the View-D team of 2000 professionals in India who currently operate out of Prime Focus' Mumbai, Chandigarh and Goa facilities. This team undertook the 3D conversion of Warner Bros.' Clash of the Titans – the first full length feature film to be converted from 2D to 3D. Tavaria was sought for creative leadership in the 3D conversion of films like Gravity, Guardians of the Galaxy, Transformers: Age of Extinction, World War Z, Men in Black 3, Star Wars: Episode I, II & III, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2, Transformers: Dark of the Moon, Maleficent, Seventh Son, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader and Ra.One.
Tavaria launched Prime Focus World's Animation division in 2012. The division holds 100 employees and has worked on projects such as Legends of Chima. The animation division completed 4 seasons of the show and is now working on new projects.

## Awards and accolades

* Apollo Award 2014 for Best VFX in International Feature Film category for Sin City: A Dame to Kill For.
* 24 FPS Award 2014 for Best VFX in International Feature Film category for Sin City: A Dame to Kill For.
* 24 FPS Award 2013 for Best VFX in International Feature Film category for White House Down.
* Gold Award, Filmcraft (Special Effects), Goafest 2011 for Indigo Airlines 'On Time' commercial.
* CGTantra Community Awards 2011 for Best VFX in Commercial for Zen Estilo advertisement.
* Apsara Awards 2011 for Best Visual Effects for Guzaarish.
* EME Awards 2011 for Best Film Content Guzaarish.
* EME Awards 2011 for the Best TV Content for Indigo Airlines 'On-Time' advert.
* Award of Excellence at ASIFA IAD 2010 for Raavan.
* Apsara Awards 2010 for 'Best Visual Effects' for Blue.
* IIFA Award 2009 for 'Best Visual Effects' for Ghajini.
* Filmfare Award 2009 for 'Best VFX in a Motion Picture' for Love Story 2050.
* FICCI BAF Jury Award for 'Best VFX Shot of the Year' for Love Story 2050.
* 24fps Award 2008 for 'Outstanding Contribution to Visual Effects' for Love Story 2050.
* FICCI BAF Award 2008 for 'Best VFX in a Commercial' for Honda CBZ "Hero".

## Filmography
### International films

| Year | Film | Role |
| 2014 | Sin City: A Dame to Kill For | Creative Director |
| 2014 | Hercules | VFX Creative Director |
| 2014 | Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles | S3D Creative Director |
| 2014 | The Expendables 3 | S3D Creative Director |
| 2014 | Maleficent | S3D Creative Director |
| 2014 | The Amazing Spider-Man 2 | S3D Creative Director |
| 2013 | White House Down | VFX Creative Director |
| 2013 | Gravity | S3D Creative Director |
| 2013 | The Great Gatsby | S3D and VFX Creative Director |
| 2013 | World War Z | S3D Creative Director |
| 2012 | Frankenweenie | S3D Creative Director |
| 2012 | Total Recall | VFX Creative Director |
| 2012 | Storage 24 | VFX Creative Director |
| 2012 | Men in Black 3 | S3D Creative Director |
| 2012 | Wrath of the Titans | S3D Creative Director |
| 2011 | Mirror Mirror | VFX Creative Director |
| 2011 | Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace | S3D Creative Director |
| 2011 | Immortals | S3D Supervisor |
| 2011 | Scream 4 | VFX Creative Director |
| 2011 | Once Upon a Warrior | VFX Creative Director |
| 2011 | Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 | S3D Creative Director |
| 2011 | Transformers: Dark of the Moon | S3D Creative Director |
| 2010 | The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader | S3D Creative Director |
| 2010 | Robin Hood | VFX Creative Director |
| 2010 | Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 | S3D Creative Director |
| 2010 | My Soul to Take | S3D Creative Director |
| 2010 | Clash of the Titans | S3D Creative Director |
| 2008 | The Sick House | VFX Supervisor |
| 2007 | 28 Weeks Later | Head of Visual Effects |
| 2005 | Red Mercury | VFX Supervisor |

### Bollywood

| Year | Film | Role |
| 2014 | Bang Bang! | VFX Creative Director |
| 2014 | Kick | VFX Creative Director |
| 2013 | Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani | VFX Creative Director |
| 2012 | English Vinglish | VFX Creative Director |
| 2012 | OMG - Oh My God! | VFX Creative Director |
| 2012 | Ek Tha Tiger | VFX Creative Director |
| 2012 | Cocktail | VFX Creative Director |
| 2012 | Housefull 2 | VFX Creative Director |
| 2012 | Ekk Deewana Tha | Visual Effects Creative Director |
| 2012 | Jannat 2 | Visual Effects Creative Director |
| 2012 | Paan Singh Tomar | VFX Creative Director |
| 2012 | Agent Vinod | VFX Creative Director |
| 2012 | Players | VFX Creative Director |
| 2011 | Rockstar | VFX Creative Director |
| 2011 | Ra.One | VFX Creative Director |
| 2011 | Shaitan | VFX Creative Director |
| 2011 | Murder 2 | VFX Creative Director |
| 2011 | No One Killed Jessica | VFX Creative Director |
| 2011 | Bollywood: The Greatest Love Story Ever Told (documentary) | VFX Creative Director |
| 2010 | Guzaarish | VFX Creative Director |
| 2010 | Housefull | VFX Creative Director |
| 2010 | Prince | VFX Creative Director |
| 2009 | Wanted | VFX Creative Director |
| 2010 | Raavan | VFX Creative Director |
| 2010 | Bumm Bumm Bole | VFX Creative Director |
| 2009 | Blue | Visual Effects Supervisor |
| 2009 | Do Knot Disturb | Visual Effects Supervisor |
| 2009 | Wake Up Sid | Visual Effects Supervisor |
| 2009 | Love Aaj Kal | Visual Effects Supervisor |
| 2009 | Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani | Visual Effects Supervisor |
| 2009 | Luck | Visual Effects Supervisor |
| 2009 | Tum Mile | Visual Effects Supervisor |
| 2009 | 8 x 10 Tasveer | Visual Effects Supervisor |
| 2009 | Raaz: The Mystery Continues | Visual Effects Supervisor |
| 2009 | Paa | Visual Effects Supervisor |
| 2009 | Chandni Chowk to China | Visual Effects Supervisor |
| 2008 | Ghajini | Visual Effects Supervisor |
| 2008 | Bachna Ae Haseeno | Visual Effects Supervisor |
| 2008 | Love Story 2050 | Visual Effects Supervisor |
| 2008 | Kambakkht Ishq | Visual Effects Supervisor |
| 2008 | Tashan | Visual Effects Supervisor |
| 2008 | Bhoothnath | Visual Effects Supervisor |
| 2008 | Saawariya | Visual Effects Supervisor |
| 2007 | Partner | Visual Effects Supervisor |
| 2007 | Ta Ra Rum Pum | Visual Effects Supervisor |
| 2007 | Heyy Babyy | Head of Visual Effects |
| 2007 | Salaam-E-Ishq | Visual Effects Supervisor |
| 2007 | Guru | Visual Effects Supervisor |
| 2006 | Bhagam Bhag | Visual Effects Supervisor |
| 2006 | Omkara | VFX Supervisor |
| 2006 | Jaan-E-Mann | Visual Effects Supervisor |
| 2006 | Naksha | Visual Effects Supervisor |
| 2006 | Pyare Mohan | Visual Effects Supervisor |
| 2006 | Golmaal: Fun Unlimited | Visual Effects Supervisor |
| 2006 | Zinda | Visual Effects Supervisor |
| 2005 | Vaah! Life Ho Toh Aisi! | Visual Effects Supervisor |
| 2005 | Bluffmaster! | Visual Effects Supervisor |
| 2005 | No Entry | Visual Effects Supervisor |
| 2005 | The Rising: Ballad of Mangal Pandey | Visual Effects Supervisor |
| 2005 | Dus | Visual Effects Supervisor |
| 2005 | Main Aisa Hi Hoon | Editor |
| 2005 | Karam | Visual Effects Supervisor |
| 2004 | Musafir | Visual Effects Supervisor |
| 2004 | Kyun! Ho Gaya Na... | Visual Effects Supervisor |
| 2004 | Mujhse Shaadi Karogi | Visual Effects Supervisor |
| 2004 | Khakee | Editor |
| 2004 | Run | Visual Effects Supervisor |
| 2003 | Kuch Naa Kaho | Visual Effects Supervisor |
| 2003 | Qayamat: City Under Threat | Visual Effects Supervisor / Editor / Promo Packaging |
| 2003 | Khushi | Editor |
| 2002 | Kaante | Visual Effects Supervisor |
| 2002 | Teesri Aankh: The Hidden Camera | Editor |

## Commercials
### Indian

| Year | Brand | Role |
| 2011 | Google Chrome 3D | S3D Creative Director |
| 2010 | IndiGo Airlines 'On Time' | VFX Creative Director |
| 2010 | Commonwealth Games 2010 Opening Ceremony | VFX Creative Director |
| 2009 | Reliance Mobile 'Simply' | VFX Supervisor |
| 2009 | Central Bank of India | VFX Supervisor |
| 2009 | Maxo | VFX Supervisor |
| 2009 | Whirlpool 'Water You Can Trust' | VFX and Animation Supervisor |
| 2009 | Lotte 'Coffy Bite' | VFX Supervisor |
| 2009 | Honda CBZ Extreme | VFX Supervisor |

### International

| Year | Brand | Role |
| 2011 | Relentless Virtues | VFX Creative Director |
| 2010 | Dubai Shopping Festival | VFX Creative Director |
| 2009 | Rhydian's new album 'O Fortuna' | VFX Creative Director |
| 2009 | Popstar to Opera Star | VFX Creative Director |
| 2009 | The National Lottery Bingo Scratch cards | VFX Creative Director |

## Personal life

Merzin lives in Mumbai with his spouse of 15 years Vinita Tavaria, daughter Natasha Tavaria and son Malcolm Tavaria.

## Other interests

Merzin is a gaming enthusiast and is passionate about cars and bikes. He is also fond of 80's Hindi music.