About me
Rob Legato began his visual effects career at Paramount Pictures before joining Digital Domain, a pioneering VFX company founded by James Cameron, Stan Winston, and Scott Ross. His first major role there was as Visual Effects Supervisor, 2nd Unit Director, and VFX Director of Photography on Interview with the Vampire. This role led to Apollo 13, where Legato’s work earned his first Academy Award nomination and a BAFTA for Visual Effects. Legato’s next project, Cameron’s Titanic, became a historic milestone, winning 11 Academy Awards, including Best Visual Effects, and breaking global box office records. He briefly contributed to Martin Scorsese’s Kundun and Michael Bay’s Armageddon during this time. He later joined Sony Pictures Imageworks, where he worked on What Lies Beneath, Cast Away, and Bad Boys II, the latter receiving a VES Award nomination. His international work continued with Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, bringing J.K. Rowling’s beloved world to life. Legato’s collaborations with Scorsese began with The Aviator, which earned 11 Oscar nominations and five wins, followed by The Departed, which won four Oscars, including Best Picture. He also developed the Virtual Cinematography Pipeline for Cameron’s Avatar, which became the highest-grossing film ever. He went on to work with Robert De Niro on The Good Shepherd, and Scorsese’s Shine a Light, a Rolling Stones documentary. Legato later led VFX on Shutter Island and Hugo, which won five Oscars. His work on Disney’s The Jungle Book earned multiple awards, followed by The Lion King, which added to his accolades. Most recently, he worked on Borat 2 and served as VFX Supervisor on Antoine Fuqua’s Emancipation. Legato is a member of the DGA, A.M.P.A.S., BAFTA, A.S.C., Local 600, Local 700, and VES, continuing to impact visual storytelling with his groundbreaking artistry.
