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

In this new two-part episode, we revisit the fascinating world of the Framestore LABS department and honour our commitment to LABS Executive Producer, Jocelyn Deborne, who, on episode 25 recommended we have this particular duo on his podcast wish list!


Our special guests this week are Derin Owodunni, LABS Support Engineer and Sophie Thompson, Junior Creative Developer

Derin, a graduate of the University of South Wales with a visual effects and motion graphics degree, started her VFX industry career in the Framestore Systems Team in February 2020, quickly working her way up to LABS Support Engineer where she’s been since May 2022!

Sophie, a graduate of The Manchester Metropolitan University with an MSC in Industrial Digitalisation, spent time in a number of teaching roles during her studies, then spent over 2 years working as a teacher in Seoul, South Korea. During this time she worked as a freelance Visual Artist, subsequently joining Framestore as a Runner in May 2022. A 3-month secondment as a Content Designer followed, then a move into the LABS team as Junior Creative Developer in January last year.

On this episode we delve into the latest developments from LABS and explore a selection of projects underway with Derin and Sophie, along with their standout LABS favourites! Additionally, we reflect on their past involvement in the Framestore Mentoring Programme and the pivotal moments that launched their careers in the industry

We get into how the LABS department represents the convergence of 'creativity and technology', plus we have a fascinating conversation on the cultivation of personal growth by refining robust communication skills and building confidence through collaboration with team members and clients alike.

Enjoy!

Episode 41 - Part 1: Derin Owodunni & Sophie Thompson, LABS Special 2

Don't miss out on the second part of this week's episode, with Junior Creative Developer, Sophie and Support Engineer, Derin from LABS! 

On Monday's episode we explored ongoing projects, Derin and Sophie's top LABS picks and looked back on their experiences on the Framestore Mentoring Programme. Our conversation highlighted how their work embodies the fusion of creativity and technology, and we discussed collaboration with both team members and clients.

On our second part we discuss creativity, exploring the art of problem-solving, embracing opportunities with an open mindset, and reflecting on launching careers at Framestore in a post-pandemic landscape, including both the upsides and the hurdles encountered along the way.

Sophie and Derin reflect of lessons learnt in their careers so far and how skills and talent will only get you so far, and why being open to people and interpersonal skills is so important. 

We also get some excellent advice on both careers in visual effects and the LABS department!

Episode 41 - Part 2: Derin Owodunni & Sophie Thompson, LABS Special 2

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

Due to the pod's popularity outside of Framestore and considering the current post-pandemic and post-strike climate, along with the considerable number of individuals searching for career opportunities and guidance, we've decided to host a special double bill, recruitment special, featuring recruiters from all 8 of our global studios.

Our very special guests for part one are Lindsay Cowie, Nikunj Barot and Annie Barlow.

Annie, VFX Recruiter based in London started as a studio Runner in 2014, swiftly climbing the ranks within the Talent Team. With nearly 9 years of experience, she's been instrumental in recruiting top talent for Framestore.

Nikunj, Head of Recruitment in Mumbai came on board at the end of 2022, bringing a wealth of experience in e-learning and tech companies. Since joining, Nikunj has had a significant impact on the growth of our Mumbai studio team.

Lindsay, Senior Recruitment Manager for Framestore Melbourne brings a diverse background in recruitment and HR, having worked across academic institutions, nonprofits, and banks. She joined Framestore in the summer of '22, via Method Studios.

We hear about our guests routes into their individual recruitment roles at Framestore, discuss emerging trends in the talent marketplace across London, Melbourne and Mumbai, and the opportunities they are actively recruiting for! 

Expect lots of advice of how to create a showreel that gets noticed, designing a clear CV or resume, highly valued skills and qualities, plus some 'golden nuggets' of careers advice. We also discuss topics that include 'CV versus LinkedIn', 'degree versus self-taught', and whether our guests can identify an application crafted by ChatGPT.

Episode 42 - Part 1: Talent & Recruitment Special

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

Due to the pod's popularity outside of Framestore and considering the current post-pandemic and post-strike climate, along with the considerable number of individuals searching for career opportunities and guidance, we've decided to host a special double bill, recruitment special, featuring recruiters from all 8 of our global studios.

Our very special guests for part two are Kathleen Rufallo, Julia Marrone and Margot Ingrassia.

Kathleen, US Recruitment Manager based in Texas, has been at Framestore since 2012, coming up via production and crewing, and now lead recruiter for all 3 of our studios in the US, New York, Chicago and Los Angeles. 

Julia, Head of Recruitment Canada, has been with us since the Fall of 2022, having spent most of her recruitment career with brands such as PWC, IBM and other household names. 

Margot, Montreal based Recruiter, has been with Framestore since 2012, having worked for The Focus previously and a range of other tech and IT recruitment roles.

We hear about our guests routes into their individual recruitment roles at Framestore, discuss emerging trends in the talent marketplace across the USA and Canada, and the opportunities they are actively recruiting for!

This is a great continuation on part one where we tackle AI, inclusion and diversity and a whole host of career advice gems essential for those seeking opportunities at Framestore or within the VFX industry at large!

Episode 42 - Part 2: Talent & Recruitment Special

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

On Episode 43, we return to the world of 'management and leadership' with this weeks special guest Manpreet Singh, Head of Technical Operations for our Mumbai studio, a Framestore leader with a great reputation. 

Joining us for this week's episodes as co-host is Michael Savva, Technology Project Manager from the Global Production Technology team.

Regular listeners will remember Episode 10, one year ago, when we caught up with Matt Hughes, Global Head of Modelling at Framestore. This episode serves as an invaluable companion piece for anyone interested in the craft of leadership and people management.

With over 20 years in IT and VFX, prior to Framestore, Manpreet led IT and Operations at Anibrain and consulted on tech and operations at Meticulous Ventures. He spent 4 years at TomTom as Global Technical Support Manager, overseeing data centres, leading a 50-person team, and earning a 'Greatest Boss in the World' certificate! With expertise from support to leadership, Manpreet excels as an IT strategist, team builder, and motivational speaker.

With more than 15 years of project management experience, Michael has merged his love for creative design with his project management expertise both at Framestore and through his freelance venture NEW ECW Productions since 2009. Prior to joining Framestore, Michael has worked in various roles spanning healthcare, digital transformation, IT project management, and the fashion and publishing sectors.

Manpreet reflects on his early days establishing the Mumbai studio, Manpreet and Michael share a common 'DNA' in project management and engineering, plus we hear about their approaches to leadership and how this shared foundation supports their collaborative efforts in guiding and nurturing teams. 

We get into learning from mistakes, the importance of being detail oriented, how Framestore was always on Manpreet and Michael's career 'wishlist' and the leadership lessons Manpreet learned from his father, a retired military officer.

Episode 43 - Part 1: Manpreet Singh

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, Michael Savva, Technology Project Manager from the Global Production Technology team, takes over the pod and interviews Manpreet, where we explore leadership approaches, a shared background in engineering and lots more!

In the second part, we delve into project management strategies, fostering team growth and development, and trusting in systems and workflows. We also explore Manpreet's day-to-day experience of testing out new ideas, what fuels his enthusiasm for his role and how he stays updated and connected on his craft. 

We get into why a well-rounded skillset, including people management, embracing diverse perspectives, and a solution-oriented mindset are essential qualities for effective leadership. Plus, Manpreet shares his advice for those aspiring to enter a technical role in visual effects.

Episode 43 - Part 2: Manpreet Singh

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

Episode 44 - Part 1: A 'TED' Talk

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!

Episode 44 - Part 2: A 'TED' Talk

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

Episode 45 - Part 1: Manon Dave

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!

Episode 45 - Part 2: Manon Dave

A learning and talent development focused podcast made by Framestore, for Framestore! 

Every two-weeks we present a conversation in two halves!

Part one - the Framestore Podcast Dailies! Each week we invite a guest to our regular ‘dailies’ session. Set questions designed to find out what makes our guests tick, what they do at our studio, their career journey so far and all manner of advice, tips and tricks. 

For our second portion, arriving later that week, we hand the reins over to a guest co-host, a member of our global community who stands to learn a lot from the experience who engages our special guest into a deeper dive conversation. Arguably a more technical discussion depending on who we have on the pod.

Also, check out 'The Framestore Dailies' Spotify playlist, where each guest and co-host share two tracks from their most loved 'music-to-work-to' artist 🎧

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/56zMyRAPF0a9qjhZTV3pLZ?si=de24b54848b04155

Episode 44 - Part 1: A 'TED' Talk

The Framestore Podcast

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