MONTRÉAL — Outpost VFX (outpost-vfx.com), based in Bournemouth, UK, has launched its first international studio in Montréal, Canada. The new Montréal studio will service clients in the film, high-end TV and creative sectors. It will also help the UK studio service clients across multiple time zones.
“In response to the ongoing boom in highly-creative HETV and film projects, the time felt absolutely right to open another facility to continue to provide exceptional service to our clients and satisfy demand,” explains Duncan McWilliam, founder and CEO. “With its generous film tax relief system, supportive government and incredible visual effects talent base, Montréal leapt out at us as the most exciting location for our first overseas studio. After more than 12 months of careful planning, it’s fantastic to finally realize our goal of opening a facility in Canada.”
VFX producer Becca Scott has joined Outpost as head of production for North America, and will head up the new studio. Joining her is VFX supervisor James Rustad, a seasoned creative lead with extensive experience at the high-end creature work. He was most recently at Double Negative and has served in supervisory roles on Wonder Woman and The Revenant. As an artist, he helped bring many iconic creatures to life for the Harry Potter series.
“With such an amazing talent pool in Montréal, it’s a great fit,” says Scott. “I’m looking forward to developing our Montréal team and continuing to build on Outpost’s success.
Outpost operates with a strong emphasis on improving the work/life balance. The studio recently introduced Life Time, an uncapped holiday policy, and pays overtime for anti-social hours worked. The new location spans 6,000 square-feet on the corner of Peel St. and Saint-Catherine St. W. They are currently hiring a number of positions across art and technology.
In the UK, Outpost VFX has 150 employees occupying a 10,000-square-foot facility.