[FRAMED] Head of Systems, Jon Stanley, Melbourne
What fictional world or place would you like to visit?
I love surfing, but paddling out to the big waves is always hard work. In Interstellar, there’s a planet with mile-high waves that you can reach just by wading through knee-deep water. To me, it looks like an incredible, untapped surf spot with no crowds — so I’d love to visit.
What’s your favourite project that you worked on at Framestore?
Back in the early 2000s, I was fortunate enough to be part of the small team sent to set up Framestore’s New York facility. This was back in the days before Framestore had become the global studio it is today. It was a real thrill to take an empty office in Manhattan with no connection to the outside world and transform it into a fully functioning Framestore studio. Spending Christmas in snowy New York was truly magical, and at times, it was hard not to feel a bit like Kevin McCallister in Home Alone 2.
If you hadn’t gotten into systems and IT leadership, what would you be doing now?
During my degree, I was lucky enough to spend my third year in a work placement. I was placed with a software company, writing credit card processing systems. Every day was the same. It’s hard to get excited about creating such a mundane product. If you spoke louder than a whisper in the office, one of the grey-bearded developers would emphatically shush you. It cemented in me the need to follow my dreams and find meaningful work. A place where every day is different and the end product is inspiring. There is really no imaginable scenario where I don’t work in VFX.
Describe your career journey into the exciting world of VFX.
Growing up, I was always fascinated by computers, animation, and filmmaking. When I realised I could make animated films on my computer, I was in heaven. That passion led me to study Computer Science, where I took every module I could that related to computer graphics. By the end of my degree, I was investing a lot of energy into figuring out how to turn that interest into a career in film.
Then one day, I came across a life-changing job advert in The Guardian newspaper. Yes, that’s how we found jobs in those days — the internet was practically black and white back then!
My enthusiasm landed me a junior role in the systems team — though “team” might be generous, as it was just me and one other person at the time. I was fortunate to graduate just as the first Harry Potter film was being made, which helped spark rapid growth in London’s VFX industry. It was an incredibly exciting time.
We had to invent new systems on the fly to support a completely new way of making movies. Linux was just coming of age, gradually replacing the huge, expensive Silicon Graphics systems that couldn’t scale to meet the demands of render farms and growing artist teams.
It was all-consuming, chaotic, and sometimes felt a bit like the Wild West — but I absolutely loved it. I’ve been lucky to be part of an incredible team that’s grown in size and maturity over the years, helping to shape that early chaos into the finely tuned machine we rely on today.
What is the biggest perk about working at Framestore?
I get to build and support the systems artists use to make movies — and it’s incredible. Twelve-year-old me would never have believed this was something you could actually get paid to do.
Favourite artform?
As much as I’ve always loved movies and TV, music has always been my number one passion. I joined my first band when I was eight — a goth synth-pop outfit called King Cobra.
Throughout my twenties, I was the singer and guitarist in several bands that, at the time, I thought were absolutely amazing. Looking back, I can see why we didn’t quite make it — but it was an incredible experience all the same.
These days, I still love writing and recording music when the kids have gone to bed.
Favourite image?
I love stories of incredible adventures. Herbert Ponting was the first photographer to travel to Antarctica. His images, captured during Scott’s ill-fated Terra Nova expedition in the early 20th century, offer a glimpse into an extraordinary moment in history.
What’s your favourite movie/ series/ advert/ immersive experience and why?
I’m a big fan of Hitchcock films, and my favourite is North by Northwest. It’s a near-perfect movie, packed with iconic scenes. A bonus for me is that I forget the plot every couple of years — so it’s endlessly rewatchable.
What tech/innovation deserves the hype?
Linux. This free, open-source operating system — largely built by a global community of passionate volunteers — powers the internet, drives the VFX industry, and runs most of the world’s phones.
What tech do you need that hasn’t been invented yet?
A device that lets humans and dogs talk to each other. I often wonder what my dog is thinking — I’m fairly certain he’s an intellectual. Sure, he’d mostly use it to politely ask for a bit of chicken, but I’m convinced there’d be the occasional moment of real profundity.
Jon Stanley, you’ve been [FRAMED].
