Paul O’Brien, Director & Senior VFX Artist

Framestore
2 min readJun 10, 2020

[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?

All seven deadly sins.

What was your last brush with danger?

I’m best kept away from power-tools

Your last brush with greatness?

The sun coming up this morning

Your worst character fault?

It’s difficult to single one out as the worst but I’ll go with mumbling.

Your most shining quality?

Optimism

You’re on the lam, where are you headed?

Deep into my subconscious, search the retreats and monasteries of the world.

Who’s your partner-in-crime?

A Jack Russell

Fantasy cellmate?

The late David Bowie, when the songs and stories run out he could teach me the art of mime.

Your greatest achievement?

I gave birth to two wonderful human beings, ok well not technically.

Most valuable skill?

Creativity is a gift and a curse but I wouldn’t want to give it up.

Go on, share a humblebrag:

I once exhibited paintings at The Saatchi Gallery.

Name your vice/pet peeve?

Rom Coms… there I said it, but are they a vice or pet peeve?

The DREAM project would entail:

Oodles of creativity & deep meaning. I’d love to help fix the world.

Your career highlight to date:

Working with incredible people.

This week I learnt that:

Flame is more integrated in the IA pipeline than I thought.

What’s your current view?

WFH in lockdown; it’s the attic.

Give us a desk tour:

Sketchbook and pencil. You can’t beat old school doodling to get things moving.

What do you need to work, on the daily?

Can’t even speak in the morning without coffee. Does everyone put that?

Framestore is, to you, in three words:

Nurturing, creative, friendly.

Best thing about your work environment?

Big (quiet) shout out to The Monday Meditation Group!

Framestore is great at:

Whatever it turns it’s hand to.

Favourite artform?

Music

Favourite image?

Anything by Basquiat because it’s so far removed from our digital world.

Fictional character you’d like to hang with?

Yoda

Happiness looks like:

Silence

If not here, then where?

Anywhere the sun shines and people smile.

What do you think of too often?

Biscuits

And not enough?

My Family, who do so much for me.

Couldn’t live without:

Food, water, shelter.

If you ruled the world:

Everyone would have Food, water, shelter.

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Framestore

A global creative studio spanning film, advertising and content. Find more at framestore.com