Kevin Estey

With a multifaceted approach that combines his background in filmmaking, visual effects, animation, and performance, Kevin plays a key role in Wētā FX’s most high-profile projects, including The Hobbit trilogy, Avatar: The Way of Water, Marvel’s Avengers: Endgame, Moon Knight, and Transformers: Rise of the Beasts. Most recently, he served as Animation Supervisor on A Minecraft Movie.

Kevin joined Weta FX in 2006 for previs on a Halo feature, but after relocating to Wellington from New York, the project was shelved, leading him to join the animation team for The Water Horse. Soon after, he began early motion development for James Cameron's Avatar.

Over the years, Kevin has played a pivotal role in shaping iconic characters such as Smaug in The Hobbit, Ammit in Moon Knight, and several characters in A Minecraft Movie, including Malgosha, Dennis, the Piglins, and Mobs.

Kevin's contributions to the field have earned him an Annie Award for his work on Gollum in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, along with earning him a VES Award nomination. Additionally, he received an Annie Award nomination and an HPA Award nomination for Transformers: Rise of the Beasts.

Growing up in San Diego, Kevin was captivated by film and animation, always with a camera in hand. Inspired by 80s fantasy and sci-fi like Back to the Future, The Goonies, and Fangoria Magazine, along with genre-defining films like Terminator 2, Jurassic Park, and The Lord of the Rings, he pursued a Filmmaking degree at The University of Southern California, launching his career in visual effects.