Framestore Adds Vince Baertsoen
Vince Baertsoen has joined Framestore as global head of CG for integrated advertising. He will oversee the implementation of new technologies to the company’s VFX workflow and the continued development of Framestore’s CG pipeline, while managing the heads of CG and supervisors across each of the company’s global offices. Additionally, he will work closely with each of the company’s teams to continue creating efficiencies between departments.
Baertsoen’s appointment is a reinforcement of Framestore’s dedication to the continued evolution and cohesion of the company’s six offices, as he builds on the growth over recent years.
Baertsoen joins Framestore from The Mill, where he was group CG director overseeing the company’s CG team and working to unify the department across their global offices. He was also a driving force behind the adoption of emerging technologies into their workflow, including standardizing the use of realtime and immersive platforms. His notable jobs include the VES Award and Cannes Gold Lion-winning project for PETA, “98% Human,” for which he was the animation and VFX supervisor, the VES-nominated “Rock Giant” for Johnnie Walker, and The Human Race, an interactive piece that combined real-time VFX and live action film.
“I have always admired Framestore’s ability to work on any platform,” said Baertsoen. “I am impressed with the level of care, for the work and the people, and there is a true dedication to pushing boundaries both creatively and technologically.”
Sir William Sargent, Framestore CEO, added, “Vince brings invaluable experience to Framestore. His creative and technical acumen shape his vision, I look forward to working with him in this exciting time in the world of CG.”
Alkemy X Hires Mason As Head Of Production
Albert Mason has joined Alkemy X’s award-winning team as VFX head of production. He comes to the NY studio with more than two decades of experience in visual effects and postproduction, having worked on some of the most seminal VFX-driven projects of modern cinema. With a passion for assembling top-notch teams of artists and building customized pipelines to meet the creative needs of boundary-pushing directors, he has worked on projects helmed by such industry standouts as Peter Jackson on the Lord of the Rings trilogy, Tim Burton on Alice in Wonderland and Robert Zemeckis on The Polar Express. In his new role at Alkemy X, he will bring his experience in feature films to the booming episodic space, lending the same level of cinema quality and creative risk-taking to VFX for serialized entertainment across streaming, cable and broadcast.
The hire builds on the momentum of Alkemy X’s success in episodic visual effects, on top projects including the Emmy-winning original series The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, as well as Mr. Robot, Fear of the Walking Dead, Maniac, Blindspot and Power.
Mason began his career at MTV’s lauded On-Air Promos department, sharpening his production skills on top series promo campaigns and as a part of its newly-launched MTV Animation Department. He took an opportunity to transition into VFX, stepping into a production role for Weta Digital and spending three years working globally on the Lord of the Rings trilogy. He carried this momentum to Sony Pictures Imageworks, where he contributed to such visually dynamic features as Spiderman 3 and Ghost Rider. He has also produced work for such industry shops as Logan, Rising Sun Pictures and Grey Matter FX.
“Throughout his career, Albert has consistently collaborated with directors and artists that push the creative envelope and we’re excited for him to extend that innovative drive to Alkemy X,” noted Justin Wineburgh, Alkemy X president and CEO. “His expertise in constructing advanced pipelines that embrace emerging technologies will be invaluable to our team as we continue to bolster our slate of VFX work.”
Mason added, “The level of work that Alkemy X is producing across multiple industries is truly impressive and the culture they’ve created fosters a dynamic collaborative environment. The caliber of VFX made for television has soared in the past few years, and I’m excited to join the top-notch team at Alkemy X to bring my experience in features to this dynamic time in episodic.”
