The Framestore Podcast, our learning and talent development focused podcast made by Framestore, for Framestore, is back with another brand-new instalment. This time, we're excited to present a two-part special on Imaginary Friends, with VFX Supervisor Chris Lawrence and Animation Supervisor Arslan Elver! Joining us as our guest co-host this week is VFX Training Manager Sergio Gonzalez, who helps us as we dive deep into John Krasinski's latest project, which he wrote and directed. Chris Lawrence’s 20-year career has taken him from the depths of outer space to the quiet English countryside, earning him an Oscar win and three further Academy Award nominations along the way. He received an Oscar and a BAFTA for his work on Gravity, as well as Oscar nominations for his work as VFX Supervisor on The Martian, Christopher Robin and The Midnight Sky. Beyond his exemplary supervisory career, Chris also helped establish Framestore’s successful Montreal Studio. He served as the studio’s Head, recruiting and managing the teams who worked on titles such as RoboCop and Edge of Tomorrow. Arslan Elver, a self-taught animator, specialises in realistic creature movement and creating nuanced characters. He joined Framestore in 2006, working on Underdog, The Golden Compass, and Primeval. His film credits include Where the Wild Things Are, Clash of the Titans, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1, Byzantium, Maleficent, and Guardians of the Galaxy. After a stint at ILM, where he worked on Avengers: Age of Ultron, Ant-Man, and Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Arslan returned to Framestore as Animation Supervisor for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. A rare 'behind the scenes' look what it was like working on, and supervising Imaginary Friends. In part one, we explore what led both Chris and Arslan to work on IF, their collaboration with writer and director John Krasinski, and the process of bringing the project to life. They also share behind-the-scenes stories from the set, discussing how each character was distinct and the unique animation challenges posed by developing 42 different characters, each with its own backstory. We discuss Chris and Arslan's favourite shots and sequences from IF, highlighting the collaboration with the global Framestore team to bring the project to life, and how "story first" was at the heart of the production process. Chris and Arslan also reflect on their personal journeys into VFX and animation, sharing what inspired them and their experiences working on both live-action and animated films. Enjoy!
