New York-based creative VFX shop Artjail has opened a Toronto office, the company’s first international outpost. The Toronto launch is something of a homecoming for Art Jail founder Steve Mottershead. Before founding Artjail, Mottershead was lured from Toronto to New York by Havas’ in-house post studio. There, he worked on the launch of the Dos Equis “Most Interesting Man in the World” and Jaguar “Gorgeous” campaigns. Prior to that, he was lead VFX Artist on notable commercials for Nike, Chevy, Coke, as well as multiple Budweiser and Bud Light Super Bowl spots at AXYZ in Toronto. Artjail’s talent in Toronto includes Andres Kirejew and Gene Dreitser. Kirejew (formerly of AXYZ, Township and Alter Ego) joins as partner/head of 2D while Dreitser (formerly of Spin, Loki, Digital Domain, Mr. X, Alter Ego) serves as partner/head of 3D. The rest of the Toronto team includes executive producer Greg Benedetto (formerly of Jam3) and colorist Clinton Homuth.  The addition of Homuth brings Baselight grading capabilities to the company both in Toronto and NYC.  This new offering for Artjail builds on the growth of the NYC studio.... 

CG feature animation studio Locksmith Animation has appointed Dónall Crehan as chief business officer. Crehan will oversee the company’s legal and business affairs, business strategy and development, commercial operations and the implementation of its long and short-term strategic plans. He reports directly to the CEOs and founders of Locksmith Animation, Sarah Smith and Julie Lockhart.  Crehan joins Locksmith from All3Media, where he was general counsel. Ron’s Gone Wrong, Locksmith Animation’s first project through its deal with Twentieth Century Fox, is currently in production and will be released on November 6, 2020. Founded in 2014 by Smith, Lockhart and Elisabeth Murdoch, Locksmith Animation produces its projects end-to-end in London, with partner Double Negative providing digital production.....