Method Studios announced that Erika Burton will lead its features business across Method and sister company Iloura as EVP, global features VFX, and that Heather Jennings has joined as VP and EP, features VFX business development. Additionally long-time Method production exec Gabby Gourrier moves to a new role driving the studio’s brand-direct and special projects business, and Deb Giarratana has been promoted to SVP, global features VFX, business development.
Burton will drive all aspects of global features VFX production, client relations and business development across Method and Iloura from Los Angeles where she will work with heads of studio in Vancouver, Melbourne, Sydney and Pune. She has led VFX and animation production at world-class companies for 25 years, including, most recently, Digital Domain, where she was EVP and general manager. Prior to that she was a studio executive at PDI/DreamWorks Animation, and previously, co-president of the Rhythm & Hues Film Division and an EP for the company. She has also held leadership production roles at Walt Disney Studios and ILM. At R&H Burton oversaw the teams whose work included the VFX Oscar®-winning “Life of Pi” and VFX Oscar®-nominated “Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.” Burton was also VFX producer at The Secret Lab/DreamQuest Images and worked at Jim Henson Production and Showtime Networks. She is a member of the Producers Guild of America and the Visual Effects Society.
Jennings joins Burton and newly promoted SVP Giarratana to bring filmmakers together with Method’s award-winning talent, where she will drive all features bidding. She comes to Method most recently from Digital Domain where she was EP, business development. She spent the majority of her career at Rhythm & Hues, starting as a bidding producer and rising eventually to VP of the film division. Jennings also has a deep understanding of film production gained in roles at The Koch Company and Gersh Agency.
Gourrier in her new role will drive all aspects of production, client relations and business development for brand-direct and special projects. Half of her 20+ year career has been with Method, working in features and advertising.
Ntropic S.F. Adds Cohen, Amalfi
Sr. CG artist Andrew Cohen and sr. Flame artist Amanda Amalfi have joined Ntropic’s San Francisco office. Cohen and Amalfi are husband and wife. Cohen, previously a sr. CG artist at MPC, has turned out content for brands such as Sony Music, Google and Macy’s. Over the years he’s worked with Mass Market and Psyop, among others.
Amalfi formerly worked at shops like The Mill, MPC and Framestore, with credits spanning such brands as Maybelline, Old Navy, Nike and Chanel. Already at Ntropic she has worked on pieces for Coke, Visa and Vogue.
Cohen and Amalfi have collaborated on projects in the past and look to again team on select pieces of work at Ntropic. In addition to its San Francisco base, Ntropic maintains studios in Los Angeles and New York. Ntropic is active in commercials, music videos and feature films. The company also crafts experiential and interactive VR and AR media.
Rodeo Ropes In Munich Facility
Visual effects studio Rodeo FX is expanding its network with the opening of an office in Munich, Germany. This new facility, located in the heart of the city, represents not only a gateway to a specialized European workforce, but also the Montreal-based company’s first foray in a promising European market. The Munich operation will be managed by Thomas Hullin, head of studio, and Julie Kubbillun, VFX producer.
The Munich studio, which plans to hire about 20 employees within a year, will work closely with Rodeo FX’s offices in Montreal, Quebec and Los Angeles.
