Basilic Fly Studio launched their UK outfit, Lightrunner Studio. The new studio will deliver high-quality visual effects to storytellers in feature films, television and advertising. It will focus on hero environments, animated creatures/characters, and FX.
Christina Graham, who was previously a global executive producer at MPC, will lead the studio as the managing director. She has 16 years of experience in various roles at MPC across dozens of films. At MPC, Graham worked on projects like Sam Mendes’ acclaimed 1917 and Jon Favreau’s reimagining of the classic Lion King.
“Lightrunner Studio will draw on top talent across the world to work on projects that are sure to delight audiences. London sits at the heart of the global entertainment industry and the crossroads between east and west, so it was the obvious choice to have as our creative and client base,” Graham said. “As Lightrunner Studio evolves, we look forward to being at the forefront of emerging VFX technologies, including machine learning and artificial intelligence, deploying these into artist workflows to allow the delivery of ever more complex and awe-inspiring projects.”
Valter Sagrillo will serve as the studio’s computer graphics (CG) head. He has over 20 years of experience in the VFX industry, working for leading studios like DNEG, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), FrameStore, and MPC. Sagrillo has undertaken numerous senior creature roles in his career, including Steven Spielberg’s Ready Player One, Lana Wachowski’s The Matrix Resurrections, Star Wars: Solo and Netflix’s acclaimed The Witcher.
Jamie Briens joins as pipeline head at the studio, bringing over 17 years of industry experience working with VFX studios DNEG and Redefine on films such as Stardust, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Venom and Bohemian Rhapsody. His role will focus on building end-to-end automation and implementing machine-learning models to ensure efficiency across various Lightrunner Studio projects.
Basilic Fly Studios CEO & managing director Balakrishnan said, “Modern art forms and new technologies go hand in hand. The visual effects domain in particular is evolving with newer digital techniques. And those who adapt and utilise them enjoy endless possibilities and the opportunities are boundless. We intend to do just that. Lightrunner Studio will explore and embrace the latest approaches of VFX workflows and processes laser-focused on AI and machine learning.”
“We’re thrilled to tap into London’s talent pool. Given its strategic location, Lightrunner Studio will be closer to its clients, ensuring fast and easy access to our innovative VFX solutions,” said Basilic Fly Studios director & chief operating officer Yogalakshmi Balakrishnan. “By drawing on the experience and knowledge of our highly-qualified visual effects experts, coupled with our increased investment in technology, the studio can take on ambitious projects and produce more incredible work for us to enjoy on the big screen.”
In addition to bringing London-led VFX talent to help cater for the production industry’s ever-growing need for VFX, Lightrunner will also have a dedicated research and development team (R&D). The studio is backed by the 500-strong global talent base of artists and developers at the established Basilic Fly Studios.
