Leading visual effects talent comes together to launch innovative London outfit: Lightrunner Studio

Lightrunner Studio will deliver high-quality visual effects (VFX) to storytellers in feature films, television, and advertising. The new studio will focus on hero environments, animated creatures/characters, and FX.

In addition to bringing London-led VFX talent to help cater for the production industry’s ever-growing need for VFX, Lightrunner Studio will also have a dedicated research and development team (R&D) leveraging the new advancements in Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence to deliver more projects without compromising quality.

Managing Director Christina Graham, previously a Global Executive Producer at the Academy Award-winning Moving Picture Company (MPC), will lead the studio. Christina gained 16 years of experience in various roles at MPC across dozens of films. At MPC, Christina worked on projects, including Sam Mendes’ acclaimed 1917 and Jon Favreau’s reimagining of the classic Lion King. Valter Sagrillo will serve as Lightrunner Studio’s Head of Computer Graphics (CG). Valter has over 20 years of experience in the VFX industry, working for leading studios, including DNEG, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), FrameStore, and MPC. Valter has undertaken numerous senior creature roles in his career, including Steven Spielberg’s Ready Player One, Lana Wachowski’s cult, The Matrix Resurrections, Star Wars: Solo, and Netflix’s acclaimed The Witcher.

Jamie Briens joins as Head of Pipeline at Lightrunner Studio, bringing over 17 years of industry experience working with global VFX studios DNEG and Redefine on films such as Stardust, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Venom and Bohemian Rhapsody. Jamie’s role will focus on building end-to-end automation and implementing machine-learning models to ensure efficiency across various Lightrunner Studio projects.

Lightrunner Studio is backed by the 500-strong global talent base of artists and developers at the established Basilic Fly Studios.

Christina Graham, Lightrunner Studio Managing Director, said: “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. I look forward to welcoming even more talented VFX and tech colleagues as we begin our growth journey.

“With streaming services producing even more content in the battle for eyeballs, combined with the post-pandemic rebound of cinema, the VFX industry is busier than ever. Lightrunner Studio is excited to bring fresh, innovative capacity to market to allow more storytellers to bring their visions to life and to collaborate with established studios to deliver project assets.

“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.”

Balakrishnan, CEO & Managing Director of Basilic Fly Studios, 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 utilize 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”

Commenting on the launch, Yogalakshmi Balakrishnan, Director & Chief Operating Officer at Basilic Fly Studio said: “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. 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.”