Global VFX House Welcomes Erik-Jan de Boer, James Jacobs and Keith Roberts
Los Angeles, May 9, 2013 - Method Studios, a Deluxe Entertainment Services Group company, announced today the addition of three world-class animation artists to the Method Studios’ creative team.
Erik-Jan de Boer, recipient of this year’s Academy Award® for Visual Effects for his work on “Life of Pi,” joins Method’s Vancouver office as Animation Supervisor. Joining him in Vancouver is Creature Supervisor James Jacobs, another Oscar® winning artist who received the 2013 Scientific and Engineering Academy Award® for character simulation software used in “Avatar.” Animation Supervisor Keith Roberts will work in Method’s Los Angeles office. A longtime member of the team at Rhythm & Hues, Roberts is versed in all styles of CG animation, and his impressive list of credits includes “The Chronicles of Narnia,” “The Cabin in the Woods ” and “The Incredible Hulk.”
In welcoming de Boer, Jacobs and Roberts to the Method Studios family, the company reinforces its commitment to attracting top flight talent and growing an expert animation team that rivals the very best firms in the business.
“We are thrilled to have Erik, James and Keith join our team,” said Christian Kubsch, Method’s President. “Their arrival couldn’t have come at a better time, as Method Studios is in the process of expanding the character animation talent across our global network.”
Erik-Jan de Boer has been creating animations and visual effects for nearly a quarter of a century. Born in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, de Boer has worked at many top British VFX houses, including the Moving Picture Company. In 1996 he joined Rhythm & Hues where his credits include “The Golden Compass ” (another Academy Award® winner in the visual effects category), “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe,” “Night at the Museum ” and many others.
“Joining Method presents a great opportunity for me to be part of a multi-facility visual effects house” says de Boer. “There are some impressive projects on the horizon and working on these in an artist-driven environment is an exciting prospect.”
James Jacobs, a world-class creature expert nominated for a 2013 Visual Effects Society Award for his work on the Goblin King (“The Hobbit ”), has credits on numerous films, including “Prometheus,” “The Adventures of Tintin ” and “King Kong.” A Toronto native, Jacobs has spent the bulk of his career focused on the unique challenges involved with creating compelling characters. From Method Studios in Vancouver, Jacobs is currently at work on director Wes Ball’s thriller “The Maze Runner.”
Jacobs notes: “Joining Method presents a unique chance for me to help enhance a character framework within a company that values innovation. I’m pleased to be here.”
Keith Roberts, originally from Yorkshire, England, most recently oversaw extensive visual effects work on the upcoming feature “R.I.P.D.” Roberts comments: “I’m looking forward to dividing my time between high-end feature film and commercial visual effects work here at Method – it’s a great opportunity for expanding my animation range even further.”
About Method Studios:
Method Studios is an award-winning international visual effects group with facilities in Los Angeles, Vancouver, New York, Chicago, Detroit, Atlanta, London, Sydney and Melbourne. As an artist-driven company known for its creativity, Method services high-end feature film, commercial and motion graphics clients. Post production offerings include conceptual design, look development, 3D animation/CGI, cinematics, motion graphics, matte painting, compositing and finishing. Credits include the commercials Kia “Space Babies,” Chevy 2012 “Silverado” (VES Award and HPA Award winner), Jameson “Fire” (Clio winner) and Kia “Share Some Soul” (AICP Award and VES Award nominee and AEAF and LIA winner); and films “Iron Man 3,” “Cloud Atlas,” “Argo” (VES nominee), “Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter” and “Wrath of the Titans.” www.methodstudios.com
About Deluxe:
Method Studios is part of Deluxe’s Creative Services Group, a close-knit group of facilities including Company 3®, Beast, Deluxe New York, EFILM®, Encore, Level 3 Post, Method Studios, Rushes and StereoD. The group leverages a comprehensive suite of end-to-end services, access to world-class artists, technical expertise and a tight infrastructure with global connectivity. The Creative Services Group businesses are wholly owned by Deluxe Entertainment Services Group Inc., which is a wholly owned subsidiary of MacAndrews & Forbes Holdings Inc. www.bydeluxe.com
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