The week we take FLITE (6.4.23)

A first look at FLITE

This week we give the outside world the very first glimpse of FLITE, the innovative new short film from Chief Creative Officer Tim Webber. The film establishes FUSE (Framestore Unreal Shot Engine), a new VFX pipeline with Unreal Engine at its heart that saw the project taken from initial planning and previs through to final pixel using Unreal. As well as the first-look image below, we announced the film’s cast: Alba Baptista (Warrior Nun, Mrs Harris Goes to Paris), Gethin Anthony (Man Hunt: Unabomber, Game of Thrones) and Daniel Lawrence Taylor (Timewasters, Uncle). A team of experts from across Framestore worked with Tim, Simon Whalley and Theo Jones, and the project looks very special indeed. Watch this space for more news and updates!

Welcome to Barbieland

The internet was abuzz with the latest look at LDN and MTL’s work on Barbie. We’re incredibly proud to serve as the ‘beginning to end’ creative partner on this exciting project. Overseen by production VFX Supervisor Glen Pratt, the film features virtual production, previs, postvis and techvis courtesy of our London-based Pre-production Services team, led by Kaya Jabar and final VFX courtesy of VFX Supervisor Francois Dumoulin and our teams in Montreal and Mumbai.

We’ll be grabbing our rollerblades and skating down to the nearest cinema to see this star-studded cast when the film releases on 21st July.

The trailer for the soon to be summer smash-hit gained over 6 million views in 24 hours, trending across social media as people made their own movie posters using this AI tool.

Gunn-ing for Gold

VFX Supervisor Alexis Wajsbrot and team animated a range of poses for Groot and Rocket, which evolved into these amazing new character posters for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. Director James Gunn explains to Rotten Tomatoes why he loves Rocket, and what we can expect in the much-anticipated film, which features incredible work from our teams in MTL, LDN, VAN and MUM.


Toyota ‘Black Sheep’

Launching hot out of the gate with Saatchi & Saatchi, Framestore Pictures Director Rich Lee and the LA VFX team take us on a high speed journey through the streets of Downtown Los Angeles to showcase the all-new fast and sexy 2023 Prius.


Press

Televisual

Televisual has published its annual survey of the UK commercials production sector, with Framestore ranked the 4th ‘Highest Rated Post House’. Voted for by fellow ad producers, Framestore was lauded for its “great VFX and colour” and because “you’re working with an insane amount of pedigree and production value is very high.

In the same issue is an in-depth piece on virtual production, which features insight from Vincent Aupetit, our Creative Director, Pre-production Services.

Little Black Book

EP Anna MacDonald talks to LBB about her latest project, time spent running around Soho with rolls of negative, and why VFX supervisors and directors should work in ‘sync’. Read the full article here.


In other news

Easter in MEL

This week the Easter Bunny visited the MEL team early to drop off chocolate. The team also indulged in cheese, wine, and painting. What do you think of their ‘masterpieces’?

Sweets and Sketching in MTL

The Easter bunny has been super busy this week, also stopping by the MTL studio to hide some goodies. The team had a great time finding them all!

In addition to their chocolate hunt, the training team brought back the life drawing classes. With real-life reptiles as models, this unique experience allowed everyone to hone their artistic skills while observing these remarkable creatures. Keep an eye out for more info on upcoming classes and events.

MTL and VAN reunited

The MTL resourcing, HR, recruitment, and ops teams recently had their first in-person get-together since the pandemic, and it was a blast! With over 30-40 people from their MTL teams in attendance, the event was a lively cocktail party held in the office.

What made the get-together even more special was the visit from some colleagues from Vancouver – Marta, Head of Resourcing Canada, Stuart Farley, Head of Studio, MTL, and Stephanie Ram, HR Advisor, VAN. A big shout out to the facilities team for their help in organizing it!

VAN Potluck

The VAN Lighting Team took team lunches to the next level by hosting a fantastic potluck. They also went above and beyond by sharing the leftover goodies with the rest of the studio. Thanks team! 

So long, farewell

The LDN team bid farewell to Gemma Gilbert this week, who has served an impressive 15 years on the marketing team, and almost 18 years overall at Framestore! Everyone came together to send Gemma off in style, and we wish her all the best in her next adventure.


You’re all caught up for this week. Please remember that our studios in LDN, VAN, MTL and MEL will be closed tomorrow to observe Good Friday, LDN and MEL get Monday off too.