[FRAMED]: Julie Long, Executive VFX Producer of Episodic, NY & LDN

[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].

The DREAM project would entail:

Getting the opportunity to travel to a beautiful place that I’ve never been before, work with the production team and plan out the visual effects!

Your career highlight to date:

Being nominated for and attending the Creative Arts Emmys for my VFX team’s work on Marvel/Netflix’s Daredevil.

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

I would say that I’m the most like Mary Poppins. I love figuring out solutions to problems and I also love children! The only part that doesn’t fit is that I’m most certainly not practically perfect in every way.

What fictional world or place would you like to visit?

Belle’s Town in Beauty and the Beast. Would love to track down that baker with his tray (like always) and snack on a buttery croissant while taking in the picturesque French countryside and hearing the townspeople sing.

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

I oversee the teams of talented artists and producers who make visual effects for television.

Describe your career journey into the exciting world of VFX.

When I graduated, I knew I wanted to work in film and television but did not want to leave New York. I decided to dip my feet into the industry by working at a post production house, CHRLX. I made connections there and landed my first job in film and television at Shade VFX. It was there that I really fell in love with visual effects and decided to pursue a career in it.

What or who inspired you to pursue a career in VFX?

I somewhat fell into the world of VFX. However, I was inspired to pursue a career in VFX by the artists I worked with at Shade VFX — I really have always loved working with the artists, the sense of family you get from working together and seeing how they create something out of nothing!

What does the day in the life of an Executive Producer of Episodic look like?

Meeting, Meeting, Coffee, Meeting, Meeting, Client Call, Meeting, Lunch, Client Call, Meeting, Meeting, Emails, Dinner, Daughter’s Bath, Maybe Another Client Call, Watch TV, Emails, Bed.

Framestore is, to you, in three words:

Accomplished, Inspiring, Family

Best thing about your work environment?

The people. The team I get the privilege to work with are not only brilliant, talented colleagues, but also fun.

Framestore is great at:

Encouraging work/life balance and caring about every employee that works here.

Favourite artform?

Photography

Favourite image?

Les Nymphéas at Musée de l’Orangerie

What’s your favourite movie and why?

The Sting. It was one of the first films I saw that really invested me in the story and characters, even when those characters weren’t necessarily the “good guys,” and had an ending that I didn’t see coming. It cemented my love for storytelling and sparked my innate passion for the industry.

What’s your favourite project that you worked on at Framestore?

Away for Netflix. It was our first project with Victor Scalise (VFX Supervisor) and Scott Ramsey (VFX Producer) and one of our first episodic projects at Framestore NY — we established a wonderful working relationship with Vic and Scott (which has led to several other projects with them). They gave us the creative freedom to collaborate and design the end landing sequence on Mars. It was epic.

What is the last piece of art (music, film, TV, etc.) that inspired you?

Severance.

How do you unlock your creativity?

First, I need a clean space to work in without any distractions. Then I like to light a candle and have a warm drink (coffee in the morning and tea in the afternoon).

From where do you seek inspiration?

I often am inspired by my daughter, Scarlet — she’s about 2 years old and seeing the world through her eyes and how she develops is so incredible. I also love to travel to places I have never been and observe those cultures and landscapes — not only is it inspiring, but it also helps to put in perspective things I take for granted day to day.

Who in the industry do you admire most and why?

I know you’re probably looking for me to answer this question with a name like Kathleen Kennedy, but for me it’s a little bit closer to home: Tara Maloney. As the Head of Studio for New York, she is constantly faced with difficult decisions and she always makes them with expertise and grace. She always remembers every little detail of every conversation she has. She makes good things happen.

What tech/innovation could you not live without?

This is a lame answer, but: Google Sheets.

What tech deserves the hype?

Smart phones. Having the ability to answer emails on the go is essential for my job.

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

Teleportation!

Julie Long, you’ve been [FRAMED].