Tim Keene, who exec produced stereoscopic visual effects for Avatar, has been placed in a newly created role at Framestore, the London VFX house which has been with since 1997. Keene has been named executive producer, commercials, so that ad industry clientele can tap into his extensive VFX experience, particularly the 3D expertise he gleaned from Avatar.
Keene began at Framestore as long-form VFX coordinator on Merlin. After progressing to line producer on series like Dinotopia, he officially moved into features in ’02 to serve as VFX producer on such titles as Die Another Day, Love Actually, Mamma Mia and Quantum of Solace.
He also is knowledgeable about virtual grading–a popular spot production preference–from his DI production on Enduring Love and Love Actually, the latter being Framestore’s first ever HD digital film delivery. Besides Avatar, his most recent credits include the Visual Effects Society Award-winning Sherlock Holmes.
Helen Stanley, Framestore’s managing director, said Keene should benefit the studio’s commercial clients, noting, “We’re increasingly applying Nuke’s feature film VFX pipeline to commercials, as well at working more at 2K, grading virtually and taking on stereographic 3D commercials.”
Review: Director Jon M. Chu’s “Wicked”
It's the ultimate celebrity redemption tour, two decades in the making. In the annals of pop culture, few characters have undergone an image makeover quite like the Wicked Witch of the West.
Oh, she may have been vengeful and scary in "The Wizard of Oz." But something changed — like, REALLY changed — on the way from the yellow brick road to the Great White Way. Since 2003, crowds have packed nightly into "Wicked" at Broadway's Gershwin Theatre to cheer as the green-skinned, misunderstood Elphaba rises up on her broomstick to belt "Defying Gravity," that enduring girl-power anthem.
How many people have seen "Wicked"? Rudimentary math suggests more than 15 million on Broadway alone. And now we have "Wicked" the movie, director Jon M. Chu's lavish, faithful, impeccably crafted (and nearly three-hour) ode to this origin story of Elphaba and her (eventual) bestie — Glinda, the very good and very blonde. Welcome to Hollywood, ladies.
Before we get to what this movie does well (Those big numbers! Those costumes!), just a couple thornier issues to ponder. Will this "Wicked," powered by a soulful Cynthia Erivo (owner of one of the best singing voices on the planet) and a sprightly, comedic, hair-tossing Ariana Grande, turn even musical theater haters into lovers?
Tricky question. Some people just don't buy into the musical thing, and they should be allowed to live freely amongst us. But if people breaking into song delights rather than flummoxes you, if elaborate dance numbers in village squares and fantastical nightclubs and emerald-hued cities make perfect sense to you, and especially if you already love "Wicked," well then, you will likely love this film. If it feels like they made the best "Wicked" movie money could buy — well, it's... Read More