By CAROLYN GIARDINA
Cinesite (Europe) Ltd. has acquired Effects Associates, a London-based special effects house, for an undisclosed price. Cinesite (Europe)’s parent company is Cinesite Inc., which is headquartered in Hollywood.
Effects Associates will retain its name and operate as a Cinesite (Europe) subsidiary. Martin Gutteridge, who was one of the founders of Effects Associates, will continue to manage day-to-day operations. He will report to Cinesite (Europe) managing director Colin Brown.
Effects Associates has roughly 30 employees and operates a 50,000 square foot facility at London’s Pinewood Studios, which includes modelmaking and engineering shops. It also offers physical special effects capabilities such as fog and rain machines, pyrotechnics, hydraulic power rigs and computer-controlled platforms.
Cinesite Inc. opened digital studios in Los Angeles in ’92, London in ’95 and New York in ’98. The London studio is a subsidiary of Cinesite (Europe). The company has subsequently provided digital effects and restoration services for hundreds of films, TV shows and commercials. Recent work includes digital effects for the ABC mini-series Cleopatra, which also features miniature and model work from Effects Associates. Cinesite (Europe) Ltd.’s commercial credits include Renault, Reach, Nestle, Abbey National, Puma and Kodak. Effects Associates’ spot credits include Tango, Barclaycard, Rover, Super Nintendo, Grolsch, Land Rover, Volvo and Talking Pages.
"There is a natural synergy in this alliance with Cinesite," Gutteridge said. "We are doing many of the same things in different ways. It broadens the range of talent and the base of technology available to both companies, and it will create opportunities for efficiencies that will undoubtedly pay dividends for our customers."
"With this alliance, we have taken an important step towards becoming a full-service visual effects studio," added Brown. "This step enables us to offer our clients more flexibility for creating the best illusions for their projects as practically and efficiently as possible."
Director Jack Begert Joins Biscuit For His First Commercial Representation In U.S. & U.K.
Biscuit Filmworks has added filmmaker Jack Begert to its roster in the U.S. and U.K. This marks Begert’s first representation in advertising, building upon his acclaimed work in music video and film. He is best known for his striking aesthetic and surreal use of visual effects, displayed in his feature film debut Little Death, which won the NEXT Innovator Award at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival. The film stars David Schwimmer, Gaby Hoffman, Dominic Fike, and Talia Ryder, and was produced by Darren Aronofsky.
Miami-born and L.A.-based, the USC Film School graduate began his career in VFX and as an editor. Begert has worked with iconic musical artists including Kendrick Lamar, SZA, Flying Lotus, Childish Gambino, and Olivia Rodrigo, and has independently directed international campaigns for brands such as Apple, Converse, New Era, and Reebok.
Shawn Lacy, founding partner of Biscuit Filmworks, said of Begert, “We are such fans of his work--and of him as a creator, thinker, collaborator, and great guy.”
“My creative approach is often about trying to discover something unexpected in the filmmaking process,” said Begert. “Biscuit is a place where I can bring my own perspective to the work and still feel supported. That philosophy is clear from the talent they represent, and I’m excited to join their roster.”
“Jack’s work blew me away the moment I first saw it,” said Rupert Reynolds-Maclean, managing director at Biscuit Filmworks UK. “He is a modern young director who clearly cares deeply about both craft and the necessity for it in his storytelling. Everything always pushes the narrative forward. We’re looking forward to making great work together.”
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