Kristina Russo

With a focus on maximising artistry, Kristina manages the technological decisions, the inter-department workflows and the legal requirements needed to ensure a sustainable and successful approach is implemented for all projects.

Working across Art, Creatures, Facial Models, Layout Models and the Virtual Art Department, Kristina ensures that any and every Wētā FX digital asset is delivered to the highest standard and successfully contributes to the Director’s filmmaking vision.

Kristina joined Wētā in the Previs Models team in 2009, as part of a small team of 2D-3D artists working on The Adventures of Tintin (2011) and The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012).

After transitioning to Lead Artist on the Big Friendly Giant (2015), Kristina then worked as a Virtual Art Department Supervisor for Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets (2017) and Mortal Engines (2018), before becoming the Head of Virtual Art Department.  

Kristina’s love for visual effects grew while studying for her Bachelor of Arts degree in Graphics and Multimedia Design from Sapienza University in Rome. Whilst Kristina has contributed to some of Wētā FX’s biggest VFX projects, her proudest work achievement has been working in the various roles that have allowed her to act as a female role model, inspiring positive change in the industry.