The Framestore Podcast The Framestore Podcast

The Framestore Podcast, our learning and talent development focused podcast made by Framestore, for Framestore, is back this week where we're taking a short Summer break with a series of REWIND special episodes, where we go back in time and revisit some of our favourite episodes of the pod.

For this instalment we are going back to Episode 14!

Originally aired on Monday 20th February 2023, we met with Visual Effects Supervisor and Creative Director, Russell Dodgson, who had recently delivered the incredible third and final season of Philip Pullman’s 'His Dark Materials'.

Joining as co-host at the time was Sana Rehman, VFX Production Coordinator, who has since been promoted to VFX Line Producer!

We discuss the 'people game' of being a VFX Supervisor, how the things that you do outside of your work often define what it is you love about your job, the importance of having 'imposter syndrome' and recognising that you may not always be the smartest person in the room.

As well as reflecting on 5 years on His Dark Materials, we also reminisce on a love of DVD extras, breakdancing, Thai boxing, and a career peppered with incredible micro-mentors.

This was famously the first mention of the idea of 'micro mentors', and has come up many times on the pod since!

Anyway, let’s turn back the clock and go back to February last year with Russell Dodgson and Sana Rehnman.

Enjoy!

The Framestore Podcast, our learning and talent development focused podcast made by Framestore, for Framestore, is back this week where we're taking a short Summer break with a series of REWIND special episodes, where we go back in time and revisit some of our favourite episodes of the pod.

This week we are going back to where it all started! Our journey began on Monday, November 21, 2022, with our very first episode where we met Sergio Gonzalez. At the time, Sergio was an Unreal and 3D Trainer; now, he serves as the VFX Training Manager on the Framestore Training Team.

Joining as co-host at the time was Tom Perry, an animation graduate from Escape Studios, and Runner in London. Since recording this episode Tom gone on to join the Framestore Data Services Team as a Technician where he has been to date!

This episode was a blast to record in person in the London Training Room, gathered around a single microphone. It has a bit of a raw feel, and it's also the episode where the Framestore Podcast Dailies Spotify Playlist was created, thanks to Sergio.

So we hope you enjoy our trip down memory lane, and please keep in mind that 2022 was a different time, and since then, we have all enhanced our knowledge and skills.

We hope you enjoy our Summer REWIND!…

The Framestore Podcast, our learning and talent development focused podcast made by Framestore, for Framestore, is back this week with another thought provoking two-part episode!

In our second part, this week's guest co-host, Montreal based Technology Coordinator Patricia Lauzon, takes over the pod and interviews Manon, where we explore his career, inspirations, collaborations and lots more!

We hear more about working with Will.i.am on his new startup, Sound Drive, and explore Manon's role, which essentially involves creating "cool stuff" that intersects technology, consumer interests, and content. Additionally, we discuss how storytelling influences his work and Manon's love of traditional feature length films!

We get some Manon Dave 'exclusives' on the pod, including a fantasy collaboration with Philip Seymour Hoffman, and a glimpse into his childhood 'imaginary friend'. We also hear about Manon's passion for youth empowerment and his important work inspiring the next generation of creatives.

We hope you enjoy this inspiring conversation!

The Framestore Podcast, our learning and talent development focused podcast made by Framestore, for Framestore, is back with another fantastic new episode.

Every two weeks on Mondays, we welcome a special guest to the pod to answer questions about their inspirations, work at our studio, and career journey via the Framestore Podcast 'dailies' questions. Then, the following Thursday, we invite a guest 'co-host' from our global community to take over, engaging our guest in a deeper dive conversation for a valuable learning experience.

Our special guest this week is Creative Technology Director Manon Dave!

Manon is a product designer, inventor, musician, and creative technologist known for leveraging technology to create immersive experiences for the entertainment and education industries. He was behind two of TIME Magazine’s Top 100 Inventions of 2022 and has appeared on the list five times. Over his decade-long career, Manon has received numerous awards for innovation and design, including CES, iF, and Red Dot awards.

He has led product development for innovative UK startups like ROLI and Kano, with his products featured in Apple stores globally. As a creative director, Manon has worked with clients like Mercedes, HBO, and Christian Dior. In 2023, he became Artistic Director of TED Tech.

In music, Manon has co-written songs with will.i.am, PJ Morton, and Idris Elba, and produced for UK rap artist Che Lingo. His music has been featured in NBA2K, FIFA, and Apple ad campaigns. He also advises leading musical artists and is a published songwriter and producer with Universal Music.

Our co-host for this conversation is Technology Coordinator, Patricia Lauzon.

Patricia joined Framestore Montreal on reception in November 2019, then quickly moved into a Runner role, and then the Systems Support team where she’s been since September 2020.

A graduate of the NAD, School of Digital Arts, Animation and Design, where she studied 2D and 3D Animation, Modelling, Texturing and Rigging, Patricia is the perfect co-host for this weeks podcast.

We get into the fascinating career of Manon, a trailblazer whose journey spans from music production to product management. We discover what inspired Manon to navigate such varied roles and industries, and gain insights into the evolving intersection of art and innovation. With a rich background in both music and technology, Manon shares thoughts on the future of creativity in the age of AI and machine learning.

Manon shares his latest work on the inspiring film '1 in 100 Million,' celebrating the Refugee Olympic Team for Paris 2024. We discuss his sources of inspiration, his amazing mentors and personal journey managing imposter syndrome. Despite his many roles, including shaping the future of technology and creativity at Framestore, Manon remains humble and grounded.

Check out the inspiring '1 in 100 Million' at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztBUQAW89z4

The Framestore Podcast, our learning and talent development focused podcast made by Framestore, for Framestore, is back with another fantastic new episode.

In our second part, we continue to celebrate the stunning visual effects in TED Season 1 where Framestore's Melbourne studio reunited with Seth Macfarlane, a decade after TED 2, to create a prequel set in 1993 following the early exploits of sentient teddy bear Ted and his time with the Bennett family in Massachusetts.

Joining us on this weeks pod are:

VFX Supervisor, Glenn Melenhorst
Head of Animation, Nick Tripodi
VFX Producer, Pippa Sheen
CG Supervisor, Sam Doolan

Nick, Pippa, Sam and Glenn share their insights into the team dynamics working on the show, where the creative influences were coming from, how Production saved the day and the key elements that make the show work so well. Additionally, they acknowledge the evolution of the Ted 'playbook' and the science of 'bong simulation'.

We get into the new learnings the team gained from working on Season 1, a rare look into the motion capture process when recreating the character of Ted, plus what dailies meetings were like with director, Seth Macfarlane. We also get into some of the amazing lighting work displayed in this season, and the often unappreciated, invisible art of visual effects.

Enjoy!

The Framestore Podcast, our learning and talent development focused podcast made by Framestore, for Framestore, is back this week with another excellent new two-part episode!

In Episode 44, we're switching up our usual format to appreciate the remarkable visual effects achievement showcased in the hilarious TED Season 1.

Framestore’s Melbourne studio collaborated once again with Seth Macfarlane, a decade after their collaboration on TED 2, to deliver a 'longform' prequel set in 1993, delving into the early adventures of sentient teddy bear Ted and his time with the Bennett family in Massachusetts.

Joining us on the pod, we have four very special guests ready to dive into our customised Framestore Dailies questions:

VFX Supervisor Glenn Melenhorst
Head of Animation Nick Tripodi
VFX Producer Pippa Sheen
CG Supervisor Sam Doolan

We discuss the evolution of Ted's look and fur for this series in contrast to the movies, the significant hurdles encountered in bringing Ted to life again, particularly in light of technological advancements since TED 2, and the close partnership with Seth MacFarlane throughout the animation and VFX process. 

We also get into the shows excellent character acting, which Seth MacFarlane considered some of the finest he'd witnessed, how the team maximised the comedic timing of MacFarlane's dialogue, and we explore the positive collaboration of the Melbourne team on another TED project!

Find out more about our work on TED via our website at:

TED Season 1: https://www.framestore.com/work/ted-season-1
TED 2: https://www.framestore.com/work/ted-2