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Tag: TV Production

REALTIMERS: James Coore, VFX Supervisor

Name & job title:
James Coore VFX Supervisor

Where do you fit in?
Try To artistically, technically, and logistically figure out how to create high quality VFX that helps to realise the ideas of the Director/Showrunner, Execs and Client Side VFX Supervisor for a production, within the confines of the studio. With regards to both personnel and other resources.

How did you get your start in the industry?
Told Gorillaz co-creator Jamie Hewlett I knew everything he needed to add CG to his studio Zombie Flesh Eaters. Then proceeded to launch the department and make Gorillaz marketing materials and then add shots on the videos which were predominantly made by Passion Pictures. 3 or 4 years into my career really, but probably a more interesting story.

Alternatively, working at a dotcom start up called Gameplay. Which was an online game portal, making CG stings and animations for various campaigns and helping develop an animation television start up.

Your superpower?
 Instinctively knowing why something is crap, while also breaking it down bit by bit by looking at each turd one by one. And you must know when you are simply polishing a turd and you just can’t transform it.

What inspires you on the day-to-day?
Being alive and passing time.

My desert island film / TV show / animation / game /artform / piece of artwork is:
Barry Lyndon, The Adventures of Baron Munchausen, Back to the Future 1 and 2, 12 Monkeys, Iron Giant, Golden Eye.

Your soundtrack whilst working:
 Depends what’s happening… Painting or lighting or something then 90’s HIP HOP. Coding total silence! Planning and tinkering, TV…

If you could work with anyone who?
Hieronymus Bosch or Moebius – Who knows what I would do though!

If not this, then what?
Do something a bit more worldly, build offshore windfarms or something.

People would be surprised that…
One of my brothers is a priest and he lives in a castle.

Advice you’d give yourself if you were just starting out? 
Don’t worry if you are learning and surrounded by fast smart people who show immediate aptitude.
Getting along in the industry is much more about accumulative knowledge, applied wisdom, attention to detail and getting along with people. None of which require a particularly high IQ.
But you must be honest with yourself about the skills you have and do not have. 

Doctor Who 60th Anniversary Special ‘Wild Blue Yonder’ Premieres on BBC

The second special of Doctor Who’s 60th Anniversary special, ‘Wild Blue Yonder’ had its UK premiere on BBC One this weekend!  As huge fans of the show, we are so excited to have joined forces with Bad Wolf and BBC Studios on the epic second special.
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Wild Blue Yonder, is now streaming on BBC iPlayer in the UK and Disney+ in the rest of the world.

REALTIMERS: Lizzie Horsburgh, Studio Production Director

Name & job title:

Lizzie, Studio Production Director

Where do you fit in?

Somewhere between the cool cats on rooftop bars until the wee hours of the morning, and the nerds queuing up to watch the latest comic book adaptation.

How did you get your start in the industry?

I worked as a runner on a Manic Street Preachers video.

Your superpower?

Spinning multiple plates at the same time, and having a mostly reliable photographic memory.

What inspires you day-to-day?

Making my parents proud, being a role model for my daughter, and proving everyone who said doing a Film Studies degree at university was a stupid mistake, wrong.

My desert island film would be:

True Romance and my tv show would be a toss-up between The US Office or guilty pleasure Real Housewives of Beverly Hills!

My soundtrack whilst working is:

“Ibiza Beach Club” playlists on Spotify – primarily because they’re easy to listen to background tunes, but also because who doesn’t want to imagine drinking champagne on a cabana bed in Ibiza whilst battling with an Excel spreadsheet!

If you could work with anyone who?   

Bill Nighy – although my childhood obsession was Jerry Bruckheimer!

If not this, then what?

I would love to be a high-profile event planner because I love themed parties, crafting bespoke décor, and organising the perfect night that everyone can enjoy.

Why REALTIME?

I like the fact that I have flexibility to work from home and pick my daughter up from nursery, or wear pyjama bottoms to a meeting if I’m feeling bloated. I like how friendly and welcoming everyone is. I like going into the Manchester office to see everyone, collaborate in a fun, light and airy space, and the bars around the studio are great too.

People would be surprised to know that…

I can’t ride a bike, and my go-to cosplay is The Valkyrie from Thor.

Advice I’d give myself if I were just starting out?

Think more about what you’re going to say and how others might perceive that message, but equally don’t hold back if you have an opinion as everyone’s voice has a right to be heard. Ultimately, there’s a right place and a right time for everything – just learn how to read the room.

REALTIMERS: Doug Russel-Fisher, Production Coordinator

Name & job title:   

Doug Russel-Fisher – Production Coordinator

 

Where do you fit in?   

At REALTIME, I work in the TV/Episodic production team, helping coordinate the flow of work through the various pipeline steps and between internal and external teams. 

In life, wherever there is good music, good food, or good laughs  

 

How did you get your start in the industry?   

Same as everyone else… at the bottom! I’ve always wanted to work in film, but before I started, I was working in the city and hating every minute of it. I wanted something different, so I decided to give the film industry a proper go. With no formal education or experience in anything film-related, I wasn’t sure where or how I would fit, but I was lucky enough to get hired as a runner at a brilliant post facility in Soho. From there, I was immersed in all things post production and worked my way up to the production office, working with super talented and knowledgeable people on some awesome projects in both DI and VFX. 
 
Your superpower? 

Connecting with people: I like to find commonality with people in any way I can; whether through humour, shared interests, or just straight up empathy! I believe it not only helps build a better working relationship with someone, but also aids communication, which leads to better understanding and ultimately a better quality of work. It also makes work more fun!

 

What inspires you day-to-day?  

Oh man, what a question! So many things! In a nutshell; the people around me. At all levels, both professionally and personally, they’re doing and creating amazing things, which is a constant source of inspiration.  

 

My desert island film / TV show / animation / game /artform / piece of artwork is:   

Anything by the Coen Brothers or Paul Thomas Anderson, but if you had to push me for one: The Big Lebowski 

 

Your soundtrack whilst working:   

NTS Radio (if you know; you know!)—whether it’s their live channels, recorded shows, or their infinite mixtapes they have impeccable selections for all modes and moods. It’s nice to not have to think about what to put on, plus I’m always discovering so much amazing new (and old) music!

 

If you could work with anyone who?   

Spike Jonze – director, photographer, or maybe Hideo Kojima, legendary game director!

 

If not this, then what?   

I’d love to work in UI/UX design, maybe digital nomading out of a nicely converted van in some lovely country, getting out in nature whenever I please. That would be a swell existence. 

 

Why REALTIME?  

Initially, it was a case of right time, right place; I had been working with fairly basic 2D workflows but wanted a change, and RT luckily had room for me! I much prefer the depth of 3D/CG visual effects work; there’s so much to learn, and it’s always evolving as an artform, so your knowledge is constantly a work in progress. I also really enjoy getting to work in that sweet spot between art and science, where we use equal parts creativity and technicality to basically create magic.

 

People would be surprised that…   

I’m one of six kids (second youngest!) 

 

Advice you’d give yourself if you were just starting out?   

  1. Knowledge and experience can always be acquired; opportunities present themselves to those who make a good impression. 
  2. Don’t break yourself; you can’t fill from an empty cup! 
  3. Little wins become huge victories; celebrate yourself. 

 

The Winter King – Official Trailer

The first trailer for The Winter King is finally here! Get ready to embark on a journey to fifth-century Britain to follow the story of Arthur Pendragon as he evolves from outcast to legendary warrior and leader.

We can’t wait for you to see our team’s epic VFX work on this series, premiering August 20th on MGM+ and ITVX later this year.