[FRAMED]: Barnes Wheeler, Head of Editorial
[FRAMED] exists to shine light on Framestore’s most fascinating cast of characters: its people. Presented with a probing list of questions and a demandingly short deadline, this feature puts the hopes, dreams, and desktops of our MVPs on the digital wall, for all to see. Welcome to [FRAMED].
What are you guilty of?
Nice try 😏
What was your last brush with danger?
Almost fell off my roof.
Your last brush with greatness?
Almost figured out what the noise was on my roof 🙄
Your worst character fault?
People close to me would probably say I’m too paranoid. I just know that’s what they’re all talking about…
Your most shining quality?
I can muster a bit of wit every now and then.
If you had taken a different path, what would you be doing now?
I was one interview away from going into flight school to be an airline pilot when I realised that my heart was in Film. ❤️ Also, I failed the interview. So let’s just say it was mutual.
You’re on the run from the law, where are you headed?
If it’s Canadian law, I’m running to England. If it’s English law I’m running to Canada. If it’s both, then I probably deserve to get caught.
Who’s your partner-in-crime?
I would say my girlfriend but she works for a rival VFX company — she’s dead to us now. So I’d form a team, Oceans 11 style.
Fantasy cellmate?
Anyone from the Editorial team; they’re accustomed to being stuck in a windowless room all day without complaining.
Most valuable skill?
I’m pretty diplomatic.
Go on, say something bragging:
I have dressed in regular clothes for every day of isolation. Not a single pyjama day.
Kudos. Now name your pet peeve?
Movie-talkers.
And your greatest achievement?
I hiked up Mount Fuji after a night in out in karaoke bars.
Worth it! And the DREAM project would entail:
Working on a Jurassic Park sequel, or something by filmmaker Alex Garland.
Your career highlight to date:
Having played a small part in making the Montreal editorial team as strong as it is.
👏 This week I learnt that:
TerAdici is not spelled TerEdici.
What’s your current view?
Out my window, I see the St-Viateur Bagel shop and way too many people not social distancing…
Now give us a desk tour:
At home, an Avid MC up on my work monitor, e-mails on my precariously stacked computer.
What do you need to work, on the daily?
A fizzy water and some friendly banter.
Fizz > still. Framestore is, to you, in three words:
Full of talent.
Best thing about your work environment?
The people I get to work with. But, if we’re being serious, the best thing in the office is the patching box in Vis 05. That thing is amazing. You want the Avid on the Projector and the CommsPC on the TV? No fuss. Bang. Done.
Framestore is great at:
Retaining good people.
Favourite art form?
Film. But if that’s a bit too obvious, I greatly admire people who can draw, so any sketches or studies. And podcasts, but it might be a stretch to call them art.
What’s your favourite image?
Any photo of my nephews.
Sweet. And the fictional character you’d like to hang with?
Ironman, if he lets me take a suit.
Happiness looks like:
Friends and an absence of concern.
If not here, then where?
I was very happy in Iceland, for the reasons above.
What do you think of too often?
What if it goes wrong?
And not enough?
What if it goes right?
Couldn’t live without:
A robust and diverse cast of family and friends who support me in ways beyond imagination.
If you ruled the world:
I’d operate the same way I do at work : find the right people and try to give them what they need to do great things.
Also, I’d ban the Caesar cocktail, it’s an abomination to tastebuds and shouldn’t exist.
Barnes Wheeler, you’ve been [FRAMED].
