At this 12 months’s Additive Manufacturing Customers Group (AMUG) convention in Michigan, one title stood out: Jason Lopes, chief expertise officer (CTO) of Mild Large Studios. Identified for pioneering 3D scanning and printing in a few of Hollywood’s most unforgettable movies, the consequences firm has helped carry complete worlds to life. Lopes obtained the President’s Award, one of many highest honors AMUG can provide, recognizing his ability and repair to the 3D printing neighborhood.
This award is a uncommon honor. Within the historical past of AMUG, solely twelve folks have ever obtained the President’s Award. In keeping with the non-profit group, it’s reserved for many who have gone above and past, exhibiting true management, long-term dedication, and a deep dedication to sharing information throughout the 3D printing neighborhood.
AMUG President Shannon VanDeren introduced the award to Lopes and mentioned, “As I labored via this 12 months, there was one title that regularly rose to the highest in lots of cases, Jason Lopes. As AMUG president, I used to be impressed to acknowledge Jason for his character and contributions as an individual, contributor, teammate, trainer, and scholar. The sharing of this award with Jason was a delight and honor.”
Jason Lopes introduced with the President’s Award by Shannon VanDeren.
Lopes has been concerned with AMUG since 2010 and has made a powerful impression ever since. In 2012, he obtained one other of AMUG’s high honors: the Distinguished INnovator Operator (DINO) Award, which celebrates excellent customers of additive manufacturing. Through the years, he has volunteered his time to assist form the group, serving on committees corresponding to DINO Choice, New Members, and the Technical Competitors.
In actual fact, the DINO Award is one of AMUG’s most revered honors; 199 people have obtained it in the group’s 38–12 months historical past.
At this 12 months’s occasion, AMUG introduced the award to 6 new members of the neighborhood, recognizing their years of service, business contributions, and dedication to serving to others. The 2025 recipients have been Amy Alexander of Mayo Clinic, Dan Braley of Boeing, Patrick Gannon of Ricoh, Ryan Kircher of rms Firm, Dallas Martin of Toyota, and Brennon White of Common Motors. Every was honored not only for their technical information, however for his or her willingness to share it and help the AM neighborhood.
2025 DINO Award recipients (from left): Patrick Gannon, Brennon White, Dallas Martin, Amy Alexander, Ryan Kircher, and Dan Braley.
A Profession Constructed on Creativity and Innovation
Lopes’ impression goes far past AMUG. He began on the legendary Stan Winston Studio, identified for its groundbreaking sensible results in movies like Jurassic Park and Terminator. He then spent over a decade at one other studio, Legacy Results, the place he helped carry film props and costumes to life utilizing 3D printing. He later joined Carbon, however then, in 2022, moved to Mild Large, the place he was promoted to CTO inside 15 months.
Jason Lopes is AMUG’s 2025 President’s Award recipient.
Joe Allison, CEO of Mild Large Studios and a previous AMUG award winner himself, mentioned: “So long as I’ve identified Jason, he ‘eats, sleeps, and breathes 3D printing.’ He’s all the time on the lookout for what he can do with new applied sciences and supplies. His ardour and enthusiasm are contagious. He likes to share all the things he learns with anybody . Through the years, he has all the time been very beneficiant together with his time to share his journey and information. This very a lot contains AMUG, which I do know holds a particular place in his coronary heart.”
Through the years, he has given seven talks at AMUG—together with 4 as a keynote speaker—revealing how 3D printing is utilized in motion pictures, from constructing characters and fits to creating advanced props.
When accepting the award, Lopes mentioned he was “past humbled” and proud to affix the group of earlier winners.
“2025 marked my fifteenth 12 months of attending AMUG, a customers group in contrast to another, and it’s an occasion I sit up for 12 months after 12 months. The expertise and openness are actually what make this group what it’s, and the motto says all of it, ‘For Customers, By Customers’.”
Primarily based in Burbank, California, Mild Large Studios has spent over 25 years combining artwork and expertise to assist create a number of the most well-known film worlds. They’ve scanned props and characters for Star Wars and Avatar, and made detailed collectibles for Marvel, Harry Potter, and The Lord of the Rings. The workforce was one of many first to make use of 3D scanning on movie units, beginning with Combat Membership in 1999.
The studio contributed to The Mandalorian as a visible results accomplice, helping with 3D scanning and prototyping for the present’s groundbreaking units. Other than motion pictures, additionally they constructed the fire-breathing dragon at Common Orlando’s Gringotts Financial institution journey. At this time, they maintain utilizing the newest instruments to carry characters and scenes to life with superb element.
New Management for AMUG
Though Lopes’ award was a spotlight of the occasion, it wasn’t the one vital information to return out of this 12 months’s AMUG convention. The outcomes of the newest board elections have been introduced, and 4 new members have been elected for the 2025–2026 time period. All of them carry years of expertise and a connection to the AMUG neighborhood. Heather Natal was re-elected as Secretary; she’s been serving on this function for 2 years. Natal, who additionally chairs AMUG’s Governance Committee, works at GoEngineer and gained a DINO Award in 2024.
AMUG’s 2025–2026 Board of Administrators (from left, entrance to again): Heather Natal and Kim Killoran; Bruce LeMaster, Shannon VanDeren, and Claire Belson Barnes; Tim Bell, Robin Van Bragt, Alex Roschli, and Dallas Martin.
Alex Roschli, from Oak Ridge Nationwide Laboratory (ORNL), was elected as the brand new Director of Schooling & Convention. He’s been deeply concerned in AMUG’s academic planning for the previous 4 years and obtained his DINO in 2023.
Kim Killoran, who works at Stratasys and beforehand served as AMUG Secretary, returns to the board as Director of Advertising and marketing & Occasions. She has led the Advertising and marketing Committee for 5 years and earned her DINO Award in 2017. Lastly, this 12 months’s DINO Award recipient, Dallas Martin, can be Director of Sponsors & Exhibitors.
These newly elected members will be a part of a board that’s making ready for the 2026 AMUG Convention, which can be in Reno, Nevada, from March 15 via 19.
All photos courtesy of AMUG
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