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‘Harry Potter’ VFX Wizard David Vickery Joins ILM

Veteran visual effects supervisor known for his work on the ‘Harry Potter’ franchise joins Industrial Light & Magic’s global creative team in London.

‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2’

SAN FRANCISCO & LONDON -- Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), a division of Lucasfilm, Ltd. announced that BAFTA-winning Visual Effects Supervisor David Vickery has joined the expanding London studio. In addition to supervising effects work, Vickery will also provide creative oversight on the studio’s other projects, while studio Creative Director, Ben Morris, takes on Star Wars Episode VIII as Production Visual Effects Supervisor. Vickery will work closely with Sue Lyster, ILM London’s Executive In Charge and Morris.

Most recently Vickery served as the Production Visual Effects Supervisor on Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation, which opened July 31st. He is well known for his work as a Visual Effects Supervisor on films such as Sherlock Holmes, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Parts 1 and 2, Fast & Furious 6 and Jupiter Ascending. His work has been recognized with an Academy Award® nomination and the 2012 BAFTA Award for Special Visual Effects for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 in addition to numerous Visual Effects Society Award nominations and wins.

“Sue and I are very excited to have David join our team here in London,” noted Ben Morris, “we have a number of exciting projects in the works and David is a creative problem solver with a great eye, both of which I know will benefit our clients and the studio immensely.”

ILM Head of Studio, Sam Mercer, said, “David has a stellar reputation amongst filmmakers and the visual effects community at large and I know he is going to be a strong addition to our global creative team and bring a unique perspective to his new role in London.” 

“We’ve all grown up being inspired by the fantastic effects created by Industrial Light & Magic,” explained Vickery, “but to be able to work alongside the people that create those visions is such an honor and an exciting prospect for me. Oh, and my first-born son's middle name is Indiana. I need say no more.”

Vickery joins ILM having spent the past thirteen years at London effects house Double Negative where he worked his way up from CG Artist to Lead 3D artist then CG Supervisor on such films as Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, The Bourne Ultimatum, Cloverfield and The Dark Knight.

Having strong ties to the visual effects community in London, Vickery formerly sat as Co-Chair on the UK board of the Visual Effects Society and is a member of BAFTA. After completing a Degree in Industrial Design at De-Montfort University Vickery went on to receive an MA in Digital Moving Image from London Metropolitan University.

ILM London recently wrapped production on Ridley Scott’s The Martian, Sam Mendes’ Spectre and is currently completing work on Star Wars: The Force Awakens for J.J. Abrams.

Source: Industrial Light & Magic

Jennifer Wolfe's picture

Formerly Editor-in-Chief of Animation World Network, Jennifer Wolfe has worked in the Media & Entertainment industry as a writer and PR professional since 2003.