Framestore NY has launched a film division offering VFX talent and resources to the feature filmmaking community working on the East Coast. The first major project to come out of the new department is Salt, a Columbia Pictures film directed by Phillip Noyce and starring Angelina Jolie. As the lead VFX studio on Salt, Framestore NY worked on 339 shots, blending its VFX and CGI work into the movie. Also coming out of the film division has been work on Clash of the Titans, as well as the upcoming movies Morning Glory and The Smurfs.
The new studio department is benefitting from an infusion of talent from Framestore U.K. Sarah Dowland has been brought aboard as VFX executive producer to set up and develop the film division. In the U.K. she worked on some of the most high profile Framestore UK films including Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, and V for Vendetta.
Also new to Framestore NY are VFX supervisor Ivan Moran and CG supervisor Theo Jones. Moran was VFX supervisor on Triangle and at Framestore UK worked as the compositing supervisor on several of the house’s larger features and was instrumental in developing many of the compositing tools used for the underwater sequence on Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire as well as for the polar bear work on the Oscar-winning The Golden Compass. Jones meanwhile at Framestore UK led the development of the water pipeline for Wolfgang Petersen’s Troy and worked on Doom before moving on to the development of creature rendering on Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and the ocean simulation on Superman Returns.
“Just as we recognized an opportunity to provide premium VFX/CGI to the East Coast agencies seven years ago, we are now recognizing a demand for top level film VFX/CGI,” said Jon Collins, president of Framestore NY. “I would not have done this if I didn’t feel that I had exactly the right team to bring Framestore’s exacting standards to the New York film department–fortunately in Sarah, Ivan and Theo I have three people who have several years of film experience at Framestore.”
Directors Amy+Pilar and Jose Antonio Prat Join Reform School
Boutique content production company Reform has added comedy directing duo Amy+Pilar (Amy York Rubin and Pilar Boehm) and award-winning multicultural director Jose Antonio Prat to its roster for U.S. representation spanning commercials and branded entertainment.
Partners in both life and art, Amy+Pilar are know for their sharp wit and comedic timing. Their synchronicity is evident in a body of work across TV, film and commercials. Prior to joining Reform School, Amy+Pilar had been repped in the ad market by production company Knucklehead.
Amy has directed high-profile comedy sketches featuring stars like Amy Schumer, Kate McKinnon, and Sarah Silverman. On the episodic front, Amy has helmed for series such as Fresh Off the Boat, Casual, Superstore and Angie Tribeca--as well as the pilot for the hit Netflix comedy Dead to Me.
Before joining forces with Amy behind the camera, Pilar was a psychotherapist, a background that informs her ability to create fascinating characters and stage irresistible, nuanced performances. Amy and Pilar’s shared passion for comedy brought them together. Their collaboration began with a Synchrony Bank campaign, starring cult-comedy favorite Maribeth Monroe (Workaholics), and they went on to direct the pilot of the Hulu series Love, Victor. Amy+Pilar’s ad fare also includes spots for Uber’s “Go-Get” campaign and “Shift,” starring Martin Starr.
“We have been fans of Amy and Pilar for a long time,” said Ryan Ennis, executive director at Reform School. “They excel at capturing comedic performances and dialogue. Coming from the TV and L.A. comedy scenes, they’ve built a strong following and collaborated with some of our favorite funny people.... Read More