Visual effects – the advanced graphics that turn summer movies into blockbusters and make video games pop off your screen – are usually associated with California. Yet unbeknownst to most Rhode Islanders, one of the world’s leading 3-D animation studios is located here in Providence: Treanor Brothers Animation.

Todd Treanor, who co-founded the 13-year-old studio with his brother Paul, will discuss their work at tonight’s Providence Geeks dinner, which will be held from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at AS220, 115 Empire St. in Providence. Treanor talked with Providence Business News recently about how two guys from the East Bay became animators, the 3-D process, and how Rhode Island can grow its film community.