Church began his career in the video game industry, contributing to titles such as Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast. He later transitioned into film, quickly establishing himself as a sought-after concept artist for major Hollywood productions. His work is characterized by a blend of technical detail and imaginative scope, frequently utilizing digital painting techniques.
Some of his most notable film credits include:
- Star Wars Prequel Trilogy: He played a crucial role in designing vehicles, environments, and elements for Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones and Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith, contributing significantly to the visual language of the prequel era.
- Avatar: He contributed to the complex world-building and design elements of James Cameron's groundbreaking film.
- War of the Worlds (2005): He designed the iconic Tripods and other alien technologies for Steven Spielberg's adaptation.
- Transformers film series: He was involved in the design of various Autobots and Decepticons across multiple films.
- Star Trek (2009): He contributed to the reimagined aesthetic of J.J. Abrams' reboot.
- John Carter (2012)
- Oblivion (2013)
- Star Wars Sequel Trilogy: He returned to the Star Wars universe for Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, and Solo: A Star Wars Story.
Beyond his film work, Church has also published art books, showcasing his conceptual designs and insights into his creative process, further solidifying his influence within the design community. His legacy is one of pivotal visual contributions to some of the most iconic science fiction narratives of the 21st century.