Purdey’s Hummingbird
Released last weekend was Hummingbird for Purdey’s, a full CG commercial created in-house and produced and directed by Framestore Pictures.
A special note from Helen Hughes to those who worked on the project:
“We’re thrilled with how this commercial turned out and it’s all thanks to our excellent artists, producers and creatives. To everyone who worked on this project, thank you – you should all really proud of the work you’ve done.”
Press
Pokémon Detective Pikachu
UK-based animation website Skwigly dug into the stellar animation work on Pokémon Detective Pikachu. Framestore’s overall animation supervisor on the film, Dale Newton (LDN), gave them the inside scoop. See here.
TVB Europe
Head of Animation Ross Burgess (LDN) recently sat down with TVBEurope’s Philip Stevens to talk all things animation.
You can see the full four-page spread here.
Blooloop
In collaboration with CAVU Designwerks, Thinkwell and Dreamcraft, we’ve been busy developing two exciting new attractions for Lionsgate Entertainment World: The Twilight Saga: Midnight Ride and The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Flight Rebel Escape. Read more here
These rides are just two of the five we’ve been working on for the park – keep your eyes peeled for details on the others.
D&AD Award 
The Times & Sunday Times ‘Politics Tamed/Westminster Zoo’ was awarded a Wooden Pencil in the Film Advertising category. Director William Bartlett holds the wooden pencil, pictured here with the team behind the making of the award-winning spot.
While we’re talking awards, Framestore attended the annual AICP Awards ceremony at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. From left to right we have Matt Pascuzzi, Jennifer Siegel, Nick Fraser, Anne Vega, Guillaume Raffi, Ian Bradley and Olivia McLean.
VFX Festival
The festival took place in London this week with talks from Creative Director, Film, Jonathan Fawkner and FX TD Mikhail Gubkin (LDN)
First up, on Tuesday, Jonathan presented our work on the fuzztacular Pokémon Detective Pikachu. An audience of young VFX pros in-the-making listened to how the characters were developed and how the team worked with director Rob Letterman to bring Pikachu, Blastoise, Gengar, Jigglypuff and all the rest of ’em to life.
Also making waves on stage was Mikhail who presented the FX team’s work on Avengers: Endgame. Mikhail was invited by the guys from Side FX to be part of their Houdini programme.
Effects America
It’s been a biiiig week for Framestore at the mysteriously-named Effects America (which, in fact, takes place in Montreal). Head of 2D Jeremie Lodomez and Comp Supe Frederikke Glick presented on Mary Poppins Returns; VFX Supe Hubert Maston explained how we created Dumbo‘s Dreamland and Creature FX Technical Director Russell Lloyd hosted a session on the art of CFX (along with a hefty CFX masterclass).
We’ve also been infiltrating the panels… with Head of Global Talent Andrew Schlussel (LDN) on ‘Creating the ideal working environment’, ‘What a career in VFX is like’ with Animator Gabriel Giroux-Veilleux (MTL) and ‘Creating VFX content for streaming services’ with MD Chloe Grysole and VFX Supe João Sita (MTL). Oh, and last but not least we also had a recruitment booth and a rather snazzy recruitment event.
Until next year!
Next week 
Annecy Animation Festival
Next week will see a cohort of Framestore’s finest descend on the French town of Annecy. In preparation, VFX journo Ian Failes has created THIS helpful list of top five must-attend things while you’re there. And of course, a panel including our very own Animation Supe Arslan Elver (LDN) is included!
Cristal for a Short Film 
Also attending Annecy – as an award-nominee might I add – is our very own Environments TD Pedro Casavecchia (LDN) who has written, produced and directed his first short film Pulsión (English title: Drive). The short has been selected, among 40 others, from a pool of over 2000 submissions for the Cristal Award for a Short Film at Annecy Festival. A HUGE congratulations to Pedro and the fellow Framestorians who helped him along the way!
Check out the trailer, delve into the creative process in the Making Of, or follow Pedro’s instagram account to see more.
Confetti Institute of Creative technologies
Max Solomon took a trip to Trent University in his home town in Nottingham to make a speech and present an award to students this week alongside actress Vicky McClure (cool) and Shayne Meadows (v cool).
Sporting Wins
It’s not the winning but the taking part that counts.
By now you know Framestore are pretty Psyducking good at Softball and Soccer. After a rare defeat for both teams last week, I’m pleased to announce they are both back to their winning streak.
LDN
Nectar BEE-gone with you.
“Things got off to a good start as we were up 8 – 0 in the first inning and it became evident Nectar’s pitcher couldn’t make this game. The second was more of the same but by the 4th things were a little closer as the bees scored their first runs of the game.
Ultimately, it was too little too late as we continued to score and our exceptional fielding all round kept the runs against to a minimum.
But too little too late Nectar ‘Bees’. Final score 26 – 6 to Flamestorm.
For some confident/questionable running and her commitment all year this week’s MVP goes to the wonderful Hannah Critchley.“
MTL report
“Framestore was in second place and DNEG was in third before this week’s game. This game could mean shifting in the standings.
There were a few contacts and yellow cards but we were able to win it all by a score of 4-2 and solidify our second place in the standings. Goals: Dan Batt (x2), Yohann Deberg and an own goal.
Next week’s game: Framestore FC vs Mill Film.”
Keep ’em coming, Framestore!
Leaving you this week with Chloe Grysole who’s heading into the weekend in style, sabering open a champagne bottle at our Effects America VIP party.