Method Studios has brought veteran production executive and features VFX producer Bill Tlusty on board in the new role of global head of production. Reporting to EVP of global features VFX Erika Burton, Tlusty will oversee Method’s global feature film and episodics production operation, leading teams worldwide with a focus on developing and deploying creative talent strategically across client projects, delivering top quality work within the most advantageous cost structure, and ensuring consistent best practices.
Burton said, “Bill has a stellar reputation for guiding the delivery of big, challenging feature VFX productions. He’s an amazing conduit between all departments in the studio and gives everyone involved peace of mind knowing that he understands and is watching out for their best interests. He’s a strong addition to our leadership team.”
Tlusty’s career as both a VFX producer and executive spans two decades. Most recently, as an executive with Universal Pictures, he managed more than 30 features including First Man and The Huntsman: Winter’s War. His new role marks a return to Method Studios, as he served as head of studio in Vancouver prior to Universal. Tlusty also spent eight years as a VFX producer and EP at Rhythm & Hues. In this capacity he was lead executive on Snow White and the Huntsman and the VFX Oscar®-winning Life of Pi. His other VFX producer credits include Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian, The Mummy: Tomb of the Emperor Dragon and Yogi Bear, and he served as production manager on Hulk and Peter Pan, and coordinator on A.I Artificial Intelligence. Early in his career Tlusty worked as a production assistant at American Zoetrope, working for its iconic filmmaker founders, Francis Ford Coppola and George Lucas. Tlusty’s VFX career began at Industrial Light & Magic where he worked in several capacities on the Star Wars prequel trilogy, first as a VFX coordinator and later, production manager on the series. He is a member of the Producers Guild of America.
Tlusty said, “Method has pursued intelligent growth, leveraging the strength across all of its studios, gaining presence in key regions and building on that to deliver high quality work on a massive scale. Coming from the client side, I understand how important it is to have the flexibility to grow as needed for projects. I’m excited to work with and develop the great talent at Method, and bring that depth and capacity to clients.”
Tlusty is based in Los Angeles and will travel extensively among Method’s global studios which include Vancouver, NY, Montreal, Melbourne, San Francisco, Atlanta, and Pune, India.
“Heretic” and “Maria” Set As Red Carpet Premieres At AFI Fest
The American Film Institute (AFI) has announced that Heretic, the psychological thriller starring Hugh Grant, and Maria, based on the life of opera singer Maria Callas starring Angelina Jolie, will round out the Red Carpet Premieres section at this yearโs AFI Fest. The Heretic Gala Screening will take place on Thursday, October 24, and the Maria Gala Screening will be held on Saturday, October 26. The complete Red Carpet Premieres section includes the world premieres of Music By John Williams, Robert Zemeckisโ Here, Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl and Clint Eastwoodโs Juror #2. All Red Carpet Premieres will take place at the historic TCL Chinese Theatre. The full lineup for AFI Fest 2024 will be unveiled on October 1.
โAt the heart of AFI Fest is an unwavering dedication to celebrating the best in global cinema--together,โ said Bob Gazzale, AFI president and CEO. โWe look forward to uniting artists and audiences once again to be inspired by the art form in a powerful sense of community.โ
Heretic follows two young missionaries (Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East) who are forced to prove their faith when they knock on the wrong door and are greeted by a diabolical Mr. Reed (portrayed by Grant), becoming ensnared in his deadly game of cat-and-mouse. The film is directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods and produced by Stacey Sher, Beck, Woods, Julia Glausi and Jeanette Volturno. The film will be released nationwide by A24 on November 8.
Directed by Pablo Larraรญn, Maria presents a tumultuous and beautiful depiction of one of the worldโs most renowned artists and reimagines the legendary soprano in her final days in Paris, as Callas (Jolie)... Read More