Gorilla launches VFX division

Welsh post-production house Gorilla has launched a VFX division, Gorilla VFX.

The division builds on the VFX team from Bait Studio, which Gorilla owns and has recently worked on Apostle, Roald & Beatrix and Dream Horse, as well as Channel 4 series Somewhere Boy and Netflix drama Heartstopper. Bait Studio will continue on motion design and graphics work, but all VFX will come under the Gorilla VFX banner.

Gorilla VFX will focus on high-end TV and film, and is headed up by former Bait Studio MD Pete Rogers. 2D supervisor Jack Phillips and VFX supervisor Tom Tatchell have also arrived as part of the leadership team, which will be based at Gorilla’s offices in Cardiff.

Phillips (Chernobyl, Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance, Black Mirror) previously worked as roto/prep supervisor for DNEG TV before becoming VFX course leader at the University of South Wales - where he will continue to be involved with nurturing new talent.

Tatchell also joins from the University of South Wales, where he was senior lecturer in VFX. He has also formerly worked as a VFX supervisor for BuzzBox.

Gorilla VFX has also developed an ongoing relationship with on-set supervisor Joe Batten (War of the Worlds, The Crown, The Witcher, Star Wars: The Last Jedi), who is currently representing Gorilla on the set of the second series of Heartstopper. 

Gorilla MD Rich Moss commented: “There has never been more demand for VFX alongside high-end TV scripted episodic productions. The synergies from having an in-house VFX division on shared infrastructure means that we can be incredibly efficient. We deliver a massive amount of HETV productions, and with our core post facilities, we will be able to complement and enhance a VFX pipeline with our colour science, HDR grading and QC as well as huge storage capacity and VFX pull and distribution.”

Rogers added: “It’s a very exciting time to be working in visual effects. This launch means we are ideally placed to broaden our offering and work even more closely with directors and productions as their go-to creative partners.”

Phillips said of his arrival: “I am thrilled to be a part of this amazing team, based in Wales and working on the global stage, as we grow our offering. This expansion will draw on all my experience of overseeing a scalable workflow in high-end TV productions whilst also providing a strong supporting framework to foster the new wave of VFX talent.”

Tatchell commented: “I feel privileged to be joining this award winning team at such a pivotal time of growth and opportunity. I’m very excited to bring with me my skills and experience to add to the raft of talent and creative ability at the Studio, as we drive forward and continue to make our mark in the industry.”