[FRAMED] Lead Effects Technical Director, Guy Schuleman, London

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

The Matrix Trilogy. It was for me the most transformative and innovative film series for visual effects development that I can think of. Also it would’ve been the most fun to be a part of.

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

Rocket! I love to come up with cool ways to blow things up!

What fictional world or place would you like to visit?

The Marvel Cinematic Universe. It seems like every one has a superpower there so would love to find out what mine would be.

Your career highlight to date:

Working on Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame. I feel like I am a part of history having contributed to those two films. That and taking my daughter as my plus one to the Wonka cast and crew screening, so she could brag to her friends that she saw it first.

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

Honestly, it was a behind-the-scenes snippet on TV of Terminator 2 that I saw as a kid. I watched how they made all the effects and the liquid metal T-1000, and I knew that was what I wanted to do.

The DREAM project would entail:

Creating something that nobody has ever seen before. But having it fit in the real world so well that the audience just accepts that as reality. That or going into space for real.

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

I usually say that I work in films, making CGI effects. Basically, I blow things up on a computer.

Describe your career journey into the exciting world of VFX.

I started with a Bachelors degree in Art specialising in VFX. Then I got my first job in TV commercials after that. I worked in that high paced environment for about 8 years when I finally made the move to film in 2016. The first film I worked on was Doctor Strange and I was hooked! I loved that I was working with people in the very top of my industry with so much knowledge about so many different topics. I moved around the London studios a bit but gravitated back to Framestore where I am currently.

What does the day in the life of a Lead FX TD look like?

I arrive at my desk, either in the office or at home and the first thing I do is check on my simulations or renders from the night before. Then check to see any new versions that have come through from the FX team and flag any issues that I spot and can clear up before they become a bigger problem. Usually after that it is an internal catch up with the FX team where we go over their versions together to discuss techniques and strategies for them to proceed. This is a great time to have technical discussions on how we can achieve a particular effect, whether it is going over the relative gravity on a distant star or temperature ranges of a photon beam. From there, we join mixed dailies with the wider team and they present their work to the VFX supervisors and receive creative notes. Once we have all the information, we go off and create our effects. Towards the end of the day I’ll usually try to catch up with the team individually for 5 minutes to see if there are any roadblocks I can help with or support I can provide.

Framestore is, to you, in three words:

Professional, creative and exciting!

Best thing about your work environment?

It is the little discussions that we have about completely fictitious topics using real-world applications. What I mean is that we often discuss how to make made up effects sit in the real world, like how in space there is no oxygen so the explosions would have to come from the fuel tank area as that would be how it would get the fuel it needs. Or what forces are at play when a bandage is magically wrapped around a hero.

Framestore is great at:

Thinking outside the box and really pushing our work to the highest level. We all work as a team to achieve the common goal of creating the best imagery possible. Everyone is open, friendly and always ready to chat about their work and passions. I love it.

Favourite art form?

Lego. Honestly, you can make anything.

Favourite image?

My kid’s latest creation takes pride of place on my desk at home.

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

Stranger Things still has it for me. I could watch that intro sequence on repeat.

What is the last piece of art that inspired you?

Lorn — Acid Rain. The song is great and inspiring but the music video is even better because of the story behind it. Basically, it tells of a belief that after death you get the chance to dance your last dance and all the spirits have to watch. I love that level of thought behind something and it always hits me hard.

How do you unlock your creativity?

I stare at the stars. On a clear night, I like to look at the stars and imagine what strange worlds are beyond ours.

From where do you seek inspiration?

The slo-mo guys YouTube channel. It is the best place to watch real world effects evolve and allows us as FX artists to pick apart how to replicate it on a much finer level. Plus everything looks cooler in slo-mo.

Who in the industry do you admire most and why?

Steven Knipping. He has been in the industry for years at the top most level and is willing to share his knowledge and techniques with the world. I love that and have watched all of his tutorials!

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

Save early, save often!

Sometimes you can only move forward by throwing everything away and starting again!

What tech/innovation could you not live without?

YouTube I think. You can learn anything and everything.

What tech/innovation deserves the hype?

AI. I am not sure we really thought this one through.

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

Cheap space travel would be nice. Or teleportation. That would be so handy.

Guy Schuleman, you’ve been [FRAMED].