Charged with creating visual effects for blockbuster films, Prime Focus is constantly asked to make the impossible possible, be it X-Men: First-Class super-powered mutants or TRON: Legacys virtual realms. In turn, Nancy St. John had a clear vision for the international companys Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»branch when she became its executive producer last August. Less than a year later, that vision is being realized.
In the past couple weeks, weve crossed the street into a 20,000 square-foot building... Right now, were about 70 artists in the building. Our plan is to build to about 225 people, she explains via telephone. As she speaks, Men in Black 3 for which Prime Focus created 319 visual effects (VFX) shots reigns at the box office. By tripling their stable of artists, theyll soon be able to work on three such blockbusters simultaneously.
St. John takes enormous pride in noting that more than half of her United Nations of artists are Canadian. Amongst that number is Jon Cowley, the VFX supervisor on MIB3. Reflecting on his decade in the effects business, he shares, Ive seen the industry in Canada change quite a bit... The progression has been fantastic.
Granted, transitioning from television work to top-tier features has also presented hurdles. The challenge has been upping the expectations and quality level... Thats come from having people from other locations come in and help bring the quality level up to that bar.
Indeed, St. John has made a point of luring experienced international artists to Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»to mentor local talent. Graduates from VFS and Emily Carr can continue to learn while working on tentpole films, she enthuses. Citing Resident Evil: Retribution and Total Recall as two projects currently underway, she concludes, Im really feeling that were on a strong growth path here in Vancouver. Were going to be able attract some really major films that well hopefully be starting on in July or August. By this time next year, you and I will be having a totally different conversation.
