John Hughes
John Hughes, Co-Founder and President, is also the co-founder and President/Executive Producer of Tau Films. Previously, he led (as well as co-founded in 1987) the studio Rhythm and Hues (R&H) for 26 years, earning 3 Academy Awards for Best Visual Effects (Babe, The Golden Compass, and Life of Pi) and 4 technical Academy Awards for achievements in science and engineering along the way.
He began his career at Robert Abel and Associates in 1976, as Head of Digital Production, as Technical Director, and as Head of Electronics. He designed motion control camera control systems and produced some of the first commercial uses of Computer Generated Imagery (CGI) in motion pictures that ushered in new possibilities in the art of film and commercials as we know today.
John is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and formerly served on the Board of Directors for the Alliance for Arts Education and chaired the education committee for the Digital Coast Roundtable as well as serving on the California State Superintendent of School’s Task Force on the Visual and Performing Arts. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Workforce Investment Board for the City of Los Angeles.
A hands-on artist for much of his career, he graduated from the University of Minnesota with Bachelors Degrees in Economics and in Electrical Engineering, and a Masters Degree in Electrical Engineering.