With experience in a broad range of VFX disciplines and a Master of Arts in Digital Effects from Bournemouth University in England, Rob Richardson brings a wealth of knowledge to his role as Head of FX at Image Engine.
Rob began his career in the industry at Framestore back in 2003, where he worked his way up through several roles and departments over a period of 14 years. While at Framestore Rob was involved with projects such as Avengers: Infinity War, Thor: Ragnarok, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, The Legend of Tarzan, Edge of Tomorrow, Gravity, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, and many more. Rob was on the team for The Golden Compass which received Framestore’s first Oscar Award for best achievement in visual effects in 2008.
For his next stint, Rob joined Industrial Light & Magic as a senior FX artist for two years and had the opportunity to work on Ready Player One, Star Wars: The Last Jedi, and Solo: A Star Wars Story, which all three films received an Oscar Award nomination and multiple VES Award nominations. For Rob, blowing up X-Wings and Tie Fighters was a highlight of his career.
Afterwards, Rob went to MPC for another two years as an FX supervisor, creating creature and FX tools, as well as working on a number of commercials. While at MPC he received a VES Award nomination for his work as a co-CG supervisor on a Burberry campaign.
In June 2021, Rob made the leap to Vancouver, BC and joined Image Engine. He had always been impressed with the quality of work that Image Engine has produced over the years. He recalls some of the work Image Engine produced for Elysium, such as the slow-motion explosion of a robot, being the moment he decided that one day he would work for the company.
After wrapping up work on Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore, where he received a VES nomination for ‘Outstanding Effects Simulations In A Photoreal Feature’, and The School for Good and Evil as a lead FX TD, Rob was promoted to Head of FX in December 2022. In this role, he helps to shape Image Engine’s FX department, contributes to the development of the studio’s pipeline, and works with other departmental supervisors.
Thanks to his experience in many areas from commercials, pipeline, lighting and FX in feature animation, real-time, film and episodic work, Rob is able to call on these experiences to uniquely identify potential issues and suggest efficient solutions. He ensures that every member of the team is supported with guidance, technical support, training, and room to grow to the best of their potential in order to expand on the high quality of work that Image Engine produces across their roster of projects.