BlueBolt VFX Announces First Projects and Chairman Hire

Press Release from BlueBolt

London, February 18th 2010— Independent VFX post-production facility lueBolt (www.blue-bolt.com [1]) has announced its first projects and the appointment of David Jeffers as company chairman.

BlueBolt was established last September by three former Moving Picture Company (MPC) staff and provides state-of-the-art 2D and CGI capabilities. BlueBolt is working on the John Landis-directed comedy Burke & Hare (Ealing Studios/Fragile Films), working on digital set extensions, 2D compositing and CG.  It has already completed VFX work on a number of feature films, including Sherlock Holmes (Warner Bros) and Prince of Persia: The Sands Of Time (Jerry Bruckheimer Films/Walt Disney Pictures).

Jeffers joins BlueBolt:

BlueBolt has also announced that David Jeffers, former CEO of MPC, Technicolor’s London VFX division, has joined the company as non-executive chairman, a hands-on role that will see him support the future growth of the company.

Under Jeffers’ 20-year leadership MPC became a worldwide industry-leading provider of VFX and post-production services to both the feature motion picture and commercial advertising industries. Along with its successful growth, he also managed the relocation of MPC into London’s premier custom-built facility in Wardour Street, Soho, as well as its subsequent sale ($105million) to Thomson/Technicolor in 2005. Jeffers retired from the company in 2007 to pursue other business interests.

“David’s knowledge and understanding of the industry will prove invaluable as we develop and grow BlueBolt into a leading VFX business,” said company director Lucy Ainsworth-Taylor. “Having been our boss, he knows the three of us very well and we welcome his guidance, foresight and leadership.”

Jeffers commented: “Bluebolt is an exciting new company with a highly creative, experienced and professional offer. I am delighted to be able to share my experience with the team from this early stage. As a boutique facility in the highly-regarded Soho/London VFX industry Bluebolt is set to succeed in a VFX marketplace that has enjoyed unrivalled growth in recent years – the future demand for which is perhaps best exemplified by the recent box office success of James Cameron’s Avatar.”

BlueBolt was founded by VFX supervisors Chas Jarrett and Angela Barson, along with VFX producer Lucy Ainsworth-Taylor.  All three worked together at MPC and have over 30 years collective experience in delivering the highest quality VFX. BlueBolt handles VFX projects from concept and storyboard through to final delivery, and is focusing on British filmmakers, Hollywood studios, as well as high-end broadcast productions.

Jarrett’s career credits include Sherlock Holmes, Ninja Assassin, Tim Burton’s Sweeney Todd, an Oscar-nomination for Poseidon, a BAFTA-nomination for Charlie And The Chocolate Factory and a VES nomination for Troy. Barson’s credits include Quantum Of Solace, The Chronicles Of Narnia, The Other Boleyn Girl, Curse of the Golden Flower and Charlie And The Chocolate Factory.  Ainsworth-Taylor, VFX producer and development executive, has production credits which include Creation, The Other Man, 1408, Made of Honor, The Other Boleyn Girl and Big Fish.

BlueBolt is based in Greek Street, Soho, London. The company is equipped with The Foundry’s Nuke VFX compositing system and Autodesk’s Maya CGI animation software to handle high-end 2D, CG and matte painting work. The company uses one of London’s largest DI projection screens, measuring 4.5m, for viewing and grading, under a collaborative agreement with DI post-production facility Pepper Post.