Since the start of the pandemic, the VFX and Animation industries have seen major operational shifts with most studios offering hybrid work-from-home models. In a game-changing decision, Cinesite has decided to embrace and facilitate remote working permanently. It’s London, Montreal and Vancouver studios will provide an optimal remote work set up while making the office easily accessible to employees wishing to make use of it.
The decision was based on employee feedback and the studio’s ability to set up secure remote and cloud-based technologies. Flexibility and autonomy are key elements of hybrid working for Cinesite with crew structuring their daily tasks in a work-from-home environment, delivering high-quality work, and embracing the shifts spurred by the pandemic.
From a technological standpoint, the studios will continue collaborating with partners to develop innovative solutions to enhance the remote work experience. It will also reinforce the social aspect of office life, encourage team spirit and camaraderie to allow crew to have a healthy routine while working remotely. This shift allows the company to continue to deliver outstanding work to its clients while offering opportunities to a broader talent pool and reducing its environmental impact.
Commenting on the announcement, Cinesite Montreal COO, Graham Peddie noted, “Recent experience has shown that our artists and staff can thrive in a remote work environment. Offering our teams the choice to work in the studio, at home or a mix of both is a reflection of the trust we place in our staff, and an example of Cinesite’s commitment to work-life balance. We’re building something very special, and I encourage everyone to check us out!”
As the company transitions to a new age of working, Cinesite Montreal has also welcomed six senior hires including Shaun Brown as Producer- VFX, David Crawford as Supervisor- VFX, Tom Clary as Executive Producer- VFX, Sherwin Shahidi as Head of Production Technology- VFX & Animation, Jason Edwardh as Head of Performance- VFX and Chris Springfield as Head of Lighting Animation. These hires come on the heels of exponential growth for the studio’s VFX and FA divisions. With a combined 80+ years of experience and past credits such as Tarzan, Monster Hunter, 1917, Godzilla vs. Kong, Adaptation, Seabiscuit, Resident Evil: The Final Chapter, Tangled, The Midnight Sky, Zootopia, and Moana to name a few; Shaun, David, Tom, Sherwin, Jason and Chris are already proving to be key players for the studio. This announcement further proves that Cinesite Montreal is leading the way locally and internationally.
Cinesite Montreal opened its doors in 2014 and now boasts capacity for over 700 employees. The studio like its London and Vancouver counterparts is currently recruiting across a range of departments and at various levels of seniority. VFX and Animation projects currently in production in Montreal include Matilda (Netflix), Peter Pan and Wendy (Disney+), HitPig (Aniventure) and Iwájú (Disney+) to name a few.
Author: Tanya Combrinck
Tanya is a writer covering art, design, and visual effects. She has 15 years of experience as a magazine journalist and has written for publications including 3D World, 3D Artist, Computer Arts, net magazine, and Creative Bloq.