Akash Srivastava
Creative Technologist
Mumbai, India · artistakash.3d@gmail.com · https://www.linkedin.com/in/akash-srivastava-cg/
Summary
I build systems, develop people, and solve problems at the intersection of technology, creativity, and storytelling. I've spent my 15+ years of career working at the intersection of creativity, technology, and people.
Experience
Technology Manager — DNEG
Apr 2024 — Present · 2 yrs 3 mosMumbai, India
- Designed and scaled DNEG's Global technology onboarding program across multiple locations and domains, supporting the onboarding of 120+ technology hires globally while reducing trainer-led onboarding effort by 60% (5 hours/week to 2 hours/week), through LMS-driven learning pathways and self-paced training.
- Standardized Departmental Training processes across global locations for knowledge transfer.
- Trained, assessed, and successfully placed 20 engineering graduates through a 6-month program featuring 130+ training hours, 20 real-world projects, 20 stakeholder reviews, and 40 structured evaluation interviews.
- Created a talent development framework covering onboarding, training, assessment, project delivery, stakeholder evaluation, and departmental placement.
- Helped design an AI-powered learning ecosystem intended to support workforce development for a rapidly scaling organization projected to onboard 200–250 future technology hires, alongside external client training initiatives.
- Contributed in designing the workforce-development infrastructure for a company expecting to scale by 200–250 people.
- Designed and implemented a technology-wide skills assessment framework for 100+ developers across 7 technology domains, enabling data-driven capability development and workforce planning.
Technology Trainer — DNEG
Aug 2022 — Mar 2024 · 1 yr 8 mos- Created structured programs, exercises, and project-based learning frameworks supporting developer growth.
- Delivered technical training and onboarding programs for pipeline, product, and software developers across DNEG technology teams and on-boarded 30+ technology new hires in 1.5 years
- Designed learning programs covering Python, pipeline development, REST APIs, and software engineering fundamentals.
- Delivered technical upskilling programs for 40+ developers, TDs, and artists, covering Python, PySide, software development workflows, and pipeline technologies.
- Conducted department-level training sessions for new tools, workflows across multiple teams.
- Coordinated Autodesk-led learning initiatives attended by 250+ employees, supporting technology awareness and adoption across the organization.
- Designed and facilitated training initiatives that supported technology adoption, cross-functional skill development, and workforce capability growth.
Sr Pipeline Software Developer — DNEG
Feb 2021 — Jul 2022 · 1 yr 6 mos- Developed and enhanced production tools used across DNEG's 2D pipeline, which included building new features for Nuke applications serving 2D teams.
- Contributed to the migration of pipeline infrastructure from Python 2 to Python 3, supporting platform modernization initiatives.
Sr. Pipeline Developer — REDESIGN
Nov 2020 — Feb 2021 · 4 mosHyderabad, India
- Developed production technology products built on ShotGrid and AWS, supporting media and entertainment workflows.
- Enhanced on-set capture, production tracking, reporting, and workflow ShotGrid Tool used by global studio clients.
Pipeline TD — Tau Films
Mar 2019 — Nov 2020 · 1 yr 9 mosHyderabad, India
- Developed automation systems for CFX and rigging departments, saving 1–2 hours per shot through render-farm-based simulation automation.
- Managed release deployment for a team of 9 developers, serving as the sole gatekeeper for weekly production releases.
- Reduced deployment effort by 95%+ through automation of CI/CD, release validation, rollback, and monitoring workflows.
- Built Slack-integrated monitoring and notification systems improving visibility into deployments, service health, and operational workflows.
- Prototyped scalable workflow-processing architectures using RabbitMQ to support future pipeline automation initiatives.
- Developed & Managed various DCC Tools (maya, nuke), Pipeline Tools to support production workflows.
Pipeline Developer — Xentrix Studios
Oct 2018 — Mar 2019 · 6 mosBengaluru, India
- Designed and deployed a Nuke Shot Build automation tool that reduced compositing setup time by 90% (20 minutes → 2 minutes), saving an estimated 1,000+ artist-hours / month across a production team of 60+ artists across multiple production teams..
- Automated compositing workflows including script generation, node replacement, render loading, and shot configuration.
- Supported resolution of 300+ pipeline and workflow issues across lighting and compositing departments over a six-month period.
- Partnered with artists, supervisors, and production teams to improve workflow efficiency, reliability, and production consistency.
Digital Compositor — Xentrix Studios
Apr 2018 — Sep 2018 · 6 mos- Delivered compositing for 240+ shots across two feature-length LEGO animation productions.
- Created and maintained key-shot compositing setups used as visual benchmarks for downstream production.
- Collaborated with lighting, effects, and production teams to ensure visual consistency and timely delivery.
- Supported production delivery through technical troubleshooting, shot optimization, and quality control.
- Developed strong production workflow expertise that later enabled a transition into pipeline development and workflow automation.
Lighting & Compositing Artist — Technicolor
Jun 2016 — Nov 2017 · 1 yr 6 mosBengaluru, India
- Delivered 670+ lighting and compositing shots for episodic 3D animation productions and established key-shot standards across production sequences.
- Developed custom lighting and compositing tools, including a Maya automation solution that reduced shot setup time by 75%.
- Automated lighting workflows, saving an estimated 600+ artist-hours per month and improving production efficiency across the team.
- Improved workflow consistency and reduced manual effort through production-focused automation and process optimization initiatives. Created Nuke Gizmos, Utility scripts.
Sr. VFX Instructor & Mentor — MAAC - Maya Academy of Advanced Cinematics
Jun 2013 — May 2016 · 3 yrsBengaluru, India
- Delivered 5,000+ hours of training and mentored 600+ students across VFX, animation, and filmmaking programs.
- Led 6 student film productions involving 80+ artists and teams of up to 45 contributors across concurrent projects.
- Guided teams to achieve 4 national-level awards, including Best VFX Film (Gold) and Best 3D Animation Film (Silver).
- Built production workflows, tracking systems, and mentorship programs that improved project delivery and industry readiness.
Freelance 3D Artist — Freelance
May 2011 — May 2013 · 2 yrs 1 moIndia
- Delivered 3D art and VFX work for a range of freelance clients.
Skills
AI: LLMs, Prompt Engineering, AI Workflows, Automation with AI
Soft Skills: Communication, Problem Solving, Collaboration, Adaptability, Time Management, Knowledge Sharing
Enablement: Team Leadership, People Management, Mentorship, Strategy, Consulting, Project Management
Software Development: Python, FastAPI, REST APIs, React / Next.js, Git, Automation, CLI Tools
Training: Curriculum Design, Course Content, Assessments, Upskilling & Cross-skilling, Workshops, Technical Writing
DCC Development: Maya API, Nuke API, PySide2 / Qt, MEL, DCC Integrations, Pipeline Tools
Supervised Projects
- Rholio+ — A SaaS platform designed for AI creators and filmmakers to organize, manage, and share prompts across teams and creative projects. (SaaS Platform, Next.js, Python, Payments Integration) www.rholioplus.com
- Job Visualizer — Interactive platform for exploring VFX and animation job opportunities through searchable and visualized industry datasets. (Web Application) jobs.akashcg.com
- Concept Visualizer — Interactive application designed to visually explain OpenEXR concepts, mathematical relationships, and technical workflows used in production environments. (Educational Visualization Tool) gx-tools-explainer-apps.vercel.app
- OpenGIF Viewer — Desktop utility for efficient GIF browsing, playback, and asset review workflows on Windows. (Desktop Application, PySide6)
- Reeva Library — Desktop-based asset library system for managing HDRIs, textures, materials, elements, and production assets within a unified interface. (Asset Management Application, PySide6)
Education
MAAC — Maya Academy of Advanced Cinematics — Diploma in Animation & Visual Effects
2011 – 2012Maharana Pratap Engineering College (MPEC), Kanpur — Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech.), Mechanical Engineering
2008 – 2012