Rising Sun Pictures (RSP) has announced the appointment of Phil Barrenger to the new role of Head of Operations. This new position will oversee the artist and technological aspects of the business and will report to RSP President, Jennie Zeiher.
Phil’s appointment comes off the back of almost 13 years at Weta Digital (now WetaFX) where he performed roles including CG Supervisor, Head of Department (Lighting) and Senior Head of Department (Shots). Phil most recently contributed to work on the ground-breaking Avatar: The Way of Water. He will be located at RSP Headquarters in Adelaide, South Australia.
“Phil is a unique individual; he epitomises empathy, understanding and kindness. This, combined with his exceptional intellect, will be key to helping drive RSP forward,” Zeiher says. “It is an absolute privilege to have Phil back on the team.”
This is Phil’s second stint with RSP, having first started in 2005 as a pre-visualisation artist on Superman Returns before working as CG Supervisor on projects including Charlotte’s Web and Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince.
“Returning to RSP holds a special significance for me, as the company gave me my first break in the film industry and played a pivotal role in my personal and professional development,” says Phil. “I am thrilled to be joining the Executive team in a role which I can make a positive difference. I'm excited to learn, lead, serve, and leverage my experience to help RSP continue to strive for excellence and push the boundaries of what is possible.”
As part of the newly formed Pitch Black Company, RSP remains committed to growing and expanding its services. In April 2022, RSP launched its Brisbane studio which now has hit a peak of 60 crew, while its Adelaide studio continues to expand, doubling in revenue over the past two years.
“We have ambitious plans ahead for RSP inside of the Pitch Black company, and it is my firm belief that Phil alongside our executive and management teams, will take us there. RSP has a reputation as a much-trusted partner to our clients and staff, and as a result we are in demand globally,” says Zeiher. “Phil will join our work family in early 2023 and will be instrumental in helping RSP provide the best client and staff experiences in the industry.”
About Rising Sun Pictures
Over the past two decades, Rising Sun Pictures (RSP) has been delighting and inspiring audiences worldwide with award-winning visual effects by creating some of Hollywood’s most memorable screen moments. RSP’s reputation and leadership make it a trusted creative partner for studios and filmmakers worldwide. Its studios employ more than 300 exceptional crew who enjoy the advantages of living in some of the world’s most livable cities. In addition, RSP is dedicated to developing the next generation of visual effects artists through its unique accredited training program, delivered in partnership with the University of South Australia. Recent work includes Elvis, Thor: Love and Thunder, Star Wars: Andor and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. RSP is a Pitch Black Company.
rsp.com.au
About Pitch Black
Pitch Black Company (www.pitchblackcompany.com) brings together world-leading visual effects studios, FuseFX, FOLKS, Rising Sun Pictures, and El Ranchito. The company employs over 1,400 personnel across 13 worldwide studio locations in Los Angeles, New York, Vancouver, Atlanta, Montréal, Toronto, Bogotá, Saguenay, Mumbai, Adelaide, Brisbane, Madrid, and Barcelona. Pitch Black Company is a portfolio company of investment funds managed by EagleTree Capital, a New York City-based private equity firm.
