Framestore’s Chicago office continues to grow in its third year with the addition of four artists to the team. Coming aboard are sr. Nuke/Flame artist Ruairi Twohig, Nuke compositor Jon Rogala, jr. compositor Isaac Spiegel, and jr. designer Alma Kim.
Twohig joins from MPC in New York, where he spent over five years as 2D lead and sr. compositor, working with clients such as Facebook, adidas, Samsung, and Verizon. Notable campaigns include Cadillac’s “Rise Above” for the 2019 Oscars, and Michelob Ultra’s “Robots” spot which aired during Super Bowl LIII. Originally from Dublin, Twohig studied animation at the Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art and Design, where he found his passion for VFX. With over a decade of experience, Twohig has worked across the globe in London, Paris, and Bangalore before moving to the U.S.
Rogala, a Chicago native, also comes over from MPC after working under the company’s Advertising division in Los Angeles on brands like BMW, Michelob, and Microsoft, followed by MPC’s Features division in Montreal on numerous projects, including the recently released film Maleficent II: Mistress of Evil as well as the Oscar nominated war epic 1917, directed by Sam Mendes. Prior to that, Rogala grew his career in Los Angeles as a freelancer before joining Picture Shop Studios as a staff compositor on episodic projects like The Walking Dead and Gotham.
Rounding out the team are Kim, who brings award-winning illustration and motion design experience, and compositing artist Spiegel, both of whom took part in Framestore’s Launchpad Internship program where young artists gain hands-on experience by working closely with mentors on agency projects from start to finish.
“The skill and industry experience of Ruari and Jon, combined with the energy and enthusiasm of young, Framestore cultivated talent like Isaac and Alma, have taken our 2D and Design departments to the next level,” said Krystina Wilson, managing director of Framestore in Chicago. “Of all the things I’m most proud of since the launch of the Chicago studio, Framestore’s culture and the talent we attract stand out as number one.”
Rom-Com Mainstay Hugh Grant Shifts To The Dark Side and He’s Never Been Happier
After some difficulties connecting to a Zoom, Hugh Grant eventually opts to just phone instead.
"Sorry about that," he apologizes. "Tech hell." Grant is no lover of technology. Smart phones, for example, he calls the "devil's tinderbox."
"I think they're killing us. I hate them," he says. "I go on long holidays from them, three or four days at at time. Marvelous."
Hell, and our proximity to it, is a not unrelated topic to Grant's new film, "Heretic." In it, two young Mormon missionaries (Chloe East, Sophie Thatcher) come knocking on a door they'll soon regret visiting. They're welcomed in by Mr. Reed (Grant), an initially charming man who tests their faith in theological debate, and then, in much worse things.
After decades in romantic comedies, Grant has spent the last few years playing narcissists, weirdos and murders, often to the greatest acclaim of his career. But in "Heretic," a horror thriller from A24, Grant's turn to the dark side reaches a new extreme. The actor who once charmingly stammered in "Four Weddings and a Funeral" and who danced to the Pointer Sisters in "Love Actually" is now doing heinous things to young people in a basement.
"It was a challenge," Grant says. "I think human beings need challenges. It makes your beer taste better in the evening if you've climbed a mountain. He was just so wonderfully (expletive)-up."
"Heretic," which opens in theaters Friday, is directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, co-writers of "A Quiet Place." In Grant's hands, Mr. Reed is a divinely good baddie — a scholarly creep whose wry monologues pull from a wide range of references, including, fittingly, Radiohead's "Creep."
In an interview, Grant spoke about these and other facets of his character, his journey... Read More