Meghdad Asadilari Headshot

Meghdad Asadilari

Assistant Professor

School of Film and Animation
College of Art and Design
mxafaa@rit.edu
Office Location
MSS-3161

Meghdad Asadilari

Assistant Professor

School of Film and Animation
College of Art and Design
mxafaa@rit.edu
Personal Links
Personal Website
ORCID
Google Scholar
LinkedIn
YouTube
Areas of Expertise
Motion Picture Science
Animation
2D Animation
3D Animation
Adobe After Effects
Autodesk Maya
Calligraphy
SideFX Houdini
Unreal Engine

Select Scholarship

Invited Keynote/Presentation
Asadilari, Meghdad. "2D Character Rigging in UE for Realtime Animation or MoCap." Game Developers Conference. UBM Technology Group. San Francisco, CA. 17 Mar. 2025. Conference Presentation.
Asadilari, Meghdad. "The Making of Simorgh." The Making of Simorgh. Walt Disney Family Museum. San Francisco, CA. 19 Mar. 2016. Lecture.
National/International Competition Award Winner
Adrion, Amy, Meghdad Asadilari, and Don Casper. The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. Nominated for Children and Family Emmy Award. Los Angeles, CA, 2023.
Asadilari, Meghdad. Vimeo. Vimeo Staff Pick. New York, NY, 2016.
Asadilari, Meghdad. Plum Tuckered Film Festival. Best Animation. Davis, WV, 2016.
Asadilari, Meghdad. Roshd International Film Festival. Special Jury Award. Tehran, Tehran, 2016.
Asadilari, Meghdad. Tehran International Animation Festival. Director Special Award. Tehran, Tehran, 2016.
Shows/Exhibits/Installations
Asadilari, Meghdad. Simorgh. 15 Apr. 2017. Museum fí¼r Kunst und Gewerbe Hamburg (Hamburg Museum for Art and Design) - Islamic Art Exhibition, Hamburg, Germany. Exhibit.
Asadilari, Meghdad. Simorgh. Jan. 2017. Festivals around the world, NA. Exhibit.
Asadilari, Meghdad. Film Director. Oct. 2014. Savannah Film Festival, Savannah. Exhibit.
Asadilari, Meghdad. Film Director. 2013. Student Film Festival - Oscar, New York. Exhibit.
Invited Article/Publication
Harris, Miriam. "This Elegant Animation Uses Birds Created from Persian Calligraphy to Explore Self Worth." Digital Arts Magazine. (2017). Web.
Heller, Steven. "Calligraphic Anime." Print Magazine. (2017). Web.
Puno, Christian. "Award-Winning Animation ‘Simorgh’ Claims Numerous Awards and High Praise from all over the World." DesignFaves. (2017). Web.
Capossela, Francesca. "Calligraphy Takes Flight in an Award-Winning Animation." VICE's The Creators Project. (2016). Web.
McLean, Tom. "Shorts We Love." Animation World Magazine. (2016). Print.
Pego, Jota. "Buscando al rey de las aves, Simorgh, de Meghdad Asadi." Makamo.es. (2016). Web.
Creapills, . "Cette Vidéo Artistique est un Magnifique Hommage í  la Calligraphie." Creapills. (2016). Web.
Elshaikh, Eman. "A Refreshing Adaptation of a 12th Century Persian Poem." Muftah Magazine. (2016). Web.
Nat, . "A la Recherche du Simorgh, un Oiseau de Légende, en Calligraphie 3D Animée." Maxi Tendance. (2016). Web.
NA, . "Un Beau Moment de Poésie. C’est ce Que Nous Offre un Superbe Court Métrage d’Animation intitulé « Simorgh » qu’on doit au réalisateur iranien Meghdad Asadi Lari…." Pureactu.com. (2016). Web.
Shanasa, Dhyan. "Destaque: Simorgh de Meghdad Asadi." Layer Lemonade. (2016). Web.
Asadilari, Meghdad. "Beyond the Spehres." The Real Science of BEYOND THE SPHERES. (2014). Web.

Currently Teaching

SOFA-122
Fundamentals of Computers and Imaging Technology
3 Credits
This course provides an introductory overview to computer systems and to principles associated with motion picture technologies. Topics covered include computer history, basics in computer architecture basics, operating systems, HTML and networking. Human vision and perception, image capture and display technologies (both analog and digital), digital image processing and post-production equipment and software are also covered. The course focuses on exposing the students to basic principles necessary to proceed with subsequent courses with production or animation focus.
SOFA-531
Digital Effects & Compositing
3 Credits
This course will offer hands-on experience in manipulating live action video and applying digital effects. There is an emphasis on digital compositing using rotoscoping, image tracking, alpha channels and transparency. Composites may be accomplished through green screen shooting, transfer modes, masks, and/or traveling mattes. Node based compositing will also be addressed as well.
SOFA-581
Particles and Dynamics
3 Credits
This course is an introduction to the creation of three-dimensional generated visual effects designed to enhance film and animation productions. This includes everything from generated particle simulation to dynamic simulations of fluid, rigid bodies, and cloth. Students will work across multiple applications and learn to successfully integrate various elements into cohesive scenes.
SOFA-599
SOFA Independent Study
1 - 6 Credits
SOFA Independent Study will provide students with the ability to study in a specialized area with an individual faculty member. Students, with the assistance of a faculty adviser, should propose a course of study or project with clearly defined deliverables. Students must obtain permission of an instructor and complete the Independent Study Permission Form to enroll. Student must have a minimum of a 3.0 GPA to apply.
SOFA-644
Cinematic Compositing
3 Credits
Students will learn digital compositing using rotoscoping, image tracking, alpha channels and transparency. Composites may be accomplished through green screen shooting, transfer modes, masks, and/or traveling mattes. Students will shoot their own footage to combine with their effects to create the final image. Node based compositing will be addressed as well.
SOFA-676
After Effects for Animators
3 Credits
This is an intermediate animation course that will focus on After Effects and how it is integrated into an animation workflow. The course will cover different aspects of the software including keyframe animation, motion graphics, visual effects development, puppet-building and character animation, world-building, and post-production effects and cleanup. Students will learn and engage with design and style development in animation production.
SOFA-681
Particle Effects and Dynamics
3 Credits
This course is an introduction to the creation of three-dimensional generated visual effects designed to enhance film and animation productions. This includes everything from generated particle simulation to dynamic simulations of fluid, rigid bodies, and cloth. Students will work across multiple applications and learn to successfully integrate various elements into cohesive scenes.
SOFA-790
Research and Thesis I
4 Credits
This is the first of two courses designed to advance a student towards completion of their thesis. Students will work independently on their approved plan of work for their thesis while meeting on a regular basis with their committee chair. They are required to meet at least twice with their full committee during the semester.
SOFA-799
Film and Animation Graduate Independent Study
1 - 4 Credits
Film and Animation Graduate Independent Study will provide students with the ability to study in a specialized area with an individual faculty member. Students, with the assistance of a faculty adviser, should propose a course of study or project with clearly defined deliverables. Students must obtain permission of an instructor and complete the Independent Study Permission Form to enroll. Student must have a minimum of a 3.0 GPA to apply.
SOFA-890
Research and Thesis II
4 Credits
This is the second of two courses designed to advance a student towards completion of their thesis. Students will work independently on their approved plan of work for their thesis while meeting on a regular basis with their committee chair. They are required to meet at least twice with their full committee during the semester as well as present a final screening of their thesis.

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