[FRAMED]: Martin Belleau, Lead Lighting TD, MTL

[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?

Drinking 35% cream like milk with butter cookies.

What was your last brush with danger?

Having to cut down some half fallen trees up north with my chainsaw. If a tree snaps incorrectly, it doesn’t forgive…

Your last brush with greatness?

Would be inappropriate to say…

Your worst character fault?

Micro-managing people

If you had taken a different path, what would you be doing now?

Martial arts instructor

You’re on the run from the law, where are you headed?

Doesn’t really matter. Everyone is trackable.

Who’s your partner-in-crime?

I’ve tried to plan a bank robbery on many occasions and tried to get some partners involved… but everyone kept refusing.

What’s your favourite movie/TV show and why?

Since my teenage years were mostly about martial arts, gaming and eating… I’d sadly have to say ‘Bloodsport’ and ‘Kickboxer’.

Your greatest achievement?

My daughters.

Most valuable skill?

Teamplayer, and being able to change the subject at any moment in a conversation.

Go on, say something bragging:

My co-workers once said “Martin’s negotiating skills are legendary”, but doesn’t seem to work when negotiating my pay :P

Name your vice/pet peeve?

I can’t stand incompetence.

The DREAM project would entail:

I already had the pleasure of working on two dream projects: Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made and The Tomorrow War… a BIG thank you to my team members and the super tight collaboration from ALL departments!

Your career highlight to date:

WFH.

This week I learnt that:

You can’t outrun the police no matter how hard you try.

What’s your current view?

On which subject?

Give us a desk tour

There are pictures of my daughters, wires, walls, curtains, cat, windows, but a mess in general.

What do you need to work, on the daily?

Music without headphones and resolving any work-related challenge.

Framestore is, to you, in three words:

There for you.

Best thing about your work environment? (at home!)

Being at home, getting hugs from my daughters at any time, eating supper with family at a normal hour (then hopping back on the computer to work afterwards), not taking 45–75 minutes to get to work.

How are you staying inspired by working remotely?

The comfort level that I’m blessed with is enough for me to push as much as I can to be able to prove that WFH can indeed work.

Favourite art form?

Photography.

Fictional character you’d like to hang with?

Any character from Star Trek, on a starship exploring space (but not a red shirt).

What do you think of too often?

Retirement.

And not enough?

My next drink.

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned about yourself during quarantine?

I’m taking it a lot better than I thought.

If you ruled the world:

I’m already having a hard time dealing with everyday things.. I couldn’t imagine the world.

Martin Belleau, you’ve been [FRAMED].