[FRAMED] CG Supervisor, Rakesh Thota, Mumbai

If you could travel back in time, which film, TV series, advert, or immersive project would you love to have worked on?

If I could travel back in time, I’d love to have worked on The Chronicles of Narnia — the idea of bringing such a magical, storybook world to life has always fascinated me. Avengers: Endgame would also be a dream, just to be part of that epic scale of storytelling and the kind of cinematic moment that fans around the world still talk about.

Which Framestore character do you feel you’re most like?

I’d say Toothless from How to Train Your Dragon.

What fictional world or place would you like to visit?

I’d love to visit Narnia. The idea of stepping through the wardrobe into a world filled with magic, mythical creatures, and epic adventures has always captured my imagination. It feels like the perfect blend of wonder and discovery, and of course, King Kong’s world for the thrill of exploring a wild, untamed island full of giant creatures and adventure.

Your career highlight to date:

There are quite a few highlights I’m proud of:

One of the biggest milestones was getting my first break at Prana Studios after three attempts, and then growing into a Lighting Lead within just a year and a half.

Another defining moment came after I joined MRx. For the first couple of months, we were sitting idle because MRx Toronto had transitioned to Houdini, while our team was still working in Maya and V-Ray. Instead of waiting, we took it as an opportunity to learn Houdini quickly. We managed to deliver the show successfully while still in training, which earned us the trust of the studio. That trust led to more projects coming our way and helped us grow together as a strong team.

Who or what inspired you to pursue a career in VFX?

Coming from a small village, I didn’t know anyone working in VFX, and the field itself was almost unheard of in my surroundings. It was my brother who first introduced me to the world of VFX and animation. Learning about how movies and digital worlds are created fascinated me — the combination of creativity, technology, and storytelling immediately drew me in. I became determined to pursue this path, started learning, and gradually built my skills, which eventually set me on the journey to a career in VFX.

The DREAM project would entail:

My dream project would be How to Train Your Dragon — I’ve always been fascinated by the magical world, the breathtaking environments, and the incredible character animation. Being part of a project that blends storytelling, emotion, and stunning visual effects would be a dream come true.

How do you explain what you do to someone who doesn’t work in VFX?

The easiest way to explain what I do is to show breakdowns — how raw footage is transformed into the final movie magic you see on screen.

Describe your career journey into the exciting world of VFX.

I’ve always been fascinated by movies and the idea of creating things that don’t exist in real life. That curiosity led me to VFX. I started out learning the tools, experimenting on small projects, and slowly figuring out how to bring imagination to the screen.

Over time, I got the chance to work at studios like Prana, MRx, MPC, and Framestore, tackling everything from epic battles to magical creatures. Each project was a learning experience — solving technical challenges, collaborating with amazing teams, and discovering new ways to make visuals feel real.

For me, VFX isn’t just about fancy effects; it’s about helping tell a story and creating moments that audiences remember. And honestly, every day still feels like a chance to play in a world where the impossible becomes possible.

What does a day in the life of a CG Supervisor look like?

A day in my life as a CG Supervisor mostly revolves around reviewing versions and guiding the team to bring the director’s vision to life. I start by looking over the work from artists, providing feedback, and making sure everything aligns with the overall look of the project. A big part of my day is problem-solving, coordinating with different departments, and helping the team overcome technical or creative challenges. By the end of the day, it’s rewarding to see raw shots gradually turn into the polished visuals that audiences will enjoy on screen.

Framestore is, to you, in three words:

Creative. Challenging. Inspiring.

Best thing about your work environment?

The best thing about my work environment is the collaboration — working alongside talented artists and problem-solvers who inspire each other every day.

Framestore is great at:

Framestore is great at creating jaw-dropping visuals and making the impossible look real on screen.

Favorite artform?

Visual effects!

Favorite image?

One of my favourite images is Thanos snapping his fingers in Avengers: Infinity War. That moment perfectly captures power, tension, and storytelling all in a single frame.

What’s your favourite movie/ series/ advert/ immersive experience and why?

It’s hard to pick just one because there are so many I love! I’m a big fan of Avengers for its epic superhero moments, How to Train Your Dragon for its magical storytelling, King Kong vs. Godzilla and Rise of the Planet of the Apes for their incredible creatures, Avatar for its breathtaking world-building, and The Chronicles of Narnia for its enchanting fantasy. What ties them all together is amazing visual storytelling and the way they transport you into entirely new worlds

What is the last piece of art that inspired you?

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes

How do you unlock your creativity?

I unlock my creativity by watching films, observing nature, and experimenting with new techniques. Seeing how stories are told on screen, noticing the little details in the world around me, and trying out different approaches in my work all spark new ideas and keep my creativity flowing.

From where do you seek inspiration?

I seek inspiration from nature and the world around me. Observing the details in everyday life — the way light falls, the colors and textures around me — sparks new ideas and helps me bring more depth and realism to my work.

Who in the industry do you admire most and why?

Many people have inspired me — Kedarnath, Ramesh, TG, RajaRajan, Akhauri, and Mark Wilson. Their creativity, guidance, and dedication have shaped my journey and taught me what it takes to excel in VFX.

Share the best piece of advice you’ve ever received:

“Finish your work, leave the office on time, and spend quality time with your family.”

What tech/innovation could you not live without?

Of course, my system — my workstation is where all the creativity and visual magic happens!

What tech/innovation deserves the hype?

AI is already transforming the way we work, enabling creativity, speeding up workflows, and opening possibilities in ways we’ve never seen before.

What tech do you need that hasn’t been invented yet?

I wish there were a machine that could take me to my family, who live 1,000 km away, in just a minute — imagine how much time and connection that would save!

Rakesh Thota , you’ve been [FRAMED].