Monday 12 August 2013
finally a little something from 47 Ronin
A few character based posters have been released for 47 Ronin starting Keanu Reeves - out later this year. I got a chance to work on this film last year whilst at Mill Film (now Milk). Only got a little taste of it, but the work i did get to do was very cool stuff... this poster 'may' ..... have something to do with that..... cant say any more!
Monday 5 August 2013
Return to Framestore
So i thought i would write a quick article about what my first week back at Framestore has been like... since a few people expressed an interest in this on twitter (incidentally you can follow me @intelligentape). but before i delve in, a few things to clear up first.
- I can not go into detail about the project I'm working on, or the nature of the work I'm doing, any reference to any work at, will be painted with the broadest of strokes - e.g I'm working on a creature, or a prop - that is about as detailed as its gonna get!
- secondly, a small bit of back history as to how I got here. I did indeed start my vfx film career at Framestore about 7 years ago (before then i was doing games and kids tv), since i left, I've been to passion pictures, Cinesite, MPC, mill film, the mill and The House of Curves - in short I've been around, and this is the first ever time I've returned to a company I've previously worked at. Don't intemperate that as a bad thing, its just a first for me, I certainly don't have objections to going back to a former employer, its just (for various reasons) never happened before. So this article is not just about a fresh start, but also about returning somewhere familiar, so its a bit of a contrast in that respect.
So - my first week at Framestore.. its been great! Starting with a new company can be daunting, even when you've worked for as many places as i have, and i still get jitters the night before, whats its going to be like, what will be the people be like? how much work will i be given? can i manage? i get these thoughts even now, and although some of these concerns have on occasion come to fruition, its rarely the case, the people are almost always very welcoming, and the workload is normally fresh and manageable but in this case, its excelled my image of what my first few days would be like. Lots of faces both old and new, have been very welcoming - a few other guys are new starters too, which helps, but more than that people seem pleased to see me and that i'm starting, and that's always a great way to enter into a role, the fear is that you'll be taking someone's place or moving in on someone's territory, but not only is that not the case, its also not the impression anyone has instilled in this environment Everyone i'm working with is charming and talented, and its one of these environments where your encouraged by others talents, rather than knocked down - I've already got plans for two new personal projects based on the inspiration of work I've seen from my new colleges!
next up - tech! now... this might strike you as boring, ...and well it is, but truth is, its a big issue. Have i been given the gear to do the job? when i started here seven years ago i was advised to get a good machine and keep it! make sure it gets transferred where ever i go, and don't let it out of might sight! well I'm pleased to report that on day 1, i was issued a new second monitor, and a graphics card upgrade, i have two machine, 2 monitors, both with dual set ups so i can have 2 screens for both my Linux and my windows box - in short, in happy! I've worked at certain other places near here (not naming any names, but most of you might be able to guess) , that would not even listen to my request for a second monitor or more RAM, no matter how much i needed it, so its refreshing to start at a company where i get what i need as i arrive. that being said, i am missing a Wacom pen!.... but I've borrowed someone else's! ha.
the other thing that i'm reminded about Framestore is how good the benefits are - they provide optional dental care, medical, pension, bike hire scheme, gym membership, eye care. it definitely makes you feel like a valued employee, i'm taking them up on their childcare vouchers, what a saving! i'm also pleased with the hours here: 9 - 6, some places work 9.30 - 6.30 ... i don't know why, but that 30 minute longer day makes a difference for me... id rather arrive a bit earlier and get home earlier, when its started getting darker earlier, its going to make a difference.
lastly the work... in short, its cool, perhaps not quite what i pictured, but when it is ever? Its a challenge, but it should also be rewarding creatively, and i suppose that's the balance you want to strike, of course i may feel differently in 6 months, but who knows. The one thing that is highlighted to me about working in film production again, is how to work resourcefully - and by that i mean not wasting time, and getting the most out of your companies vast and varied history - its something i think i'm going to talk more about, I have a webinar booked in with escapes studios in Feb perhaps this should be the topic? working on your own vs working with a company... i say "with", rather than "for", as its very much a case of working with other people, and whilst the work is ultimately produced for the company whilst im here, its very much feels like mine, and theirs! that's how i feel anyway.
and there we have it, my first few thoughts on returning to the place i kicked it all off, its exciting and its now, but also very familiar somehow! any questions feel free to post them below, hope you enjoyed it.
Adam
- I can not go into detail about the project I'm working on, or the nature of the work I'm doing, any reference to any work at, will be painted with the broadest of strokes - e.g I'm working on a creature, or a prop - that is about as detailed as its gonna get!
- secondly, a small bit of back history as to how I got here. I did indeed start my vfx film career at Framestore about 7 years ago (before then i was doing games and kids tv), since i left, I've been to passion pictures, Cinesite, MPC, mill film, the mill and The House of Curves - in short I've been around, and this is the first ever time I've returned to a company I've previously worked at. Don't intemperate that as a bad thing, its just a first for me, I certainly don't have objections to going back to a former employer, its just (for various reasons) never happened before. So this article is not just about a fresh start, but also about returning somewhere familiar, so its a bit of a contrast in that respect.
So - my first week at Framestore.. its been great! Starting with a new company can be daunting, even when you've worked for as many places as i have, and i still get jitters the night before, whats its going to be like, what will be the people be like? how much work will i be given? can i manage? i get these thoughts even now, and although some of these concerns have on occasion come to fruition, its rarely the case, the people are almost always very welcoming, and the workload is normally fresh and manageable but in this case, its excelled my image of what my first few days would be like. Lots of faces both old and new, have been very welcoming - a few other guys are new starters too, which helps, but more than that people seem pleased to see me and that i'm starting, and that's always a great way to enter into a role, the fear is that you'll be taking someone's place or moving in on someone's territory, but not only is that not the case, its also not the impression anyone has instilled in this environment Everyone i'm working with is charming and talented, and its one of these environments where your encouraged by others talents, rather than knocked down - I've already got plans for two new personal projects based on the inspiration of work I've seen from my new colleges!
next up - tech! now... this might strike you as boring, ...and well it is, but truth is, its a big issue. Have i been given the gear to do the job? when i started here seven years ago i was advised to get a good machine and keep it! make sure it gets transferred where ever i go, and don't let it out of might sight! well I'm pleased to report that on day 1, i was issued a new second monitor, and a graphics card upgrade, i have two machine, 2 monitors, both with dual set ups so i can have 2 screens for both my Linux and my windows box - in short, in happy! I've worked at certain other places near here (not naming any names, but most of you might be able to guess) , that would not even listen to my request for a second monitor or more RAM, no matter how much i needed it, so its refreshing to start at a company where i get what i need as i arrive. that being said, i am missing a Wacom pen!.... but I've borrowed someone else's! ha.
the other thing that i'm reminded about Framestore is how good the benefits are - they provide optional dental care, medical, pension, bike hire scheme, gym membership, eye care. it definitely makes you feel like a valued employee, i'm taking them up on their childcare vouchers, what a saving! i'm also pleased with the hours here: 9 - 6, some places work 9.30 - 6.30 ... i don't know why, but that 30 minute longer day makes a difference for me... id rather arrive a bit earlier and get home earlier, when its started getting darker earlier, its going to make a difference.
lastly the work... in short, its cool, perhaps not quite what i pictured, but when it is ever? Its a challenge, but it should also be rewarding creatively, and i suppose that's the balance you want to strike, of course i may feel differently in 6 months, but who knows. The one thing that is highlighted to me about working in film production again, is how to work resourcefully - and by that i mean not wasting time, and getting the most out of your companies vast and varied history - its something i think i'm going to talk more about, I have a webinar booked in with escapes studios in Feb perhaps this should be the topic? working on your own vs working with a company... i say "with", rather than "for", as its very much a case of working with other people, and whilst the work is ultimately produced for the company whilst im here, its very much feels like mine, and theirs! that's how i feel anyway.
and there we have it, my first few thoughts on returning to the place i kicked it all off, its exciting and its now, but also very familiar somehow! any questions feel free to post them below, hope you enjoyed it.
Adam
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)