Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
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Affiliations
Software Skills
Timeline
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David Early

David Early

Aylesbury,Bucks

Summary

Experienced in managing, supervising, and creating Digital Matte Paintings (DMP) and environments within the UK Visual Effects (VFX) Film Industry, with a substantial record of contributions to over 50 feature films and television shows.


As a seasoned department head, adept at leading teams of up to 70 professionals, focused on producing exceptional visuals and driving team success. Committed to leveraging extensive expertise to mentor and guide large teams towards achieving outstanding results. Actively engaged in continuous professional development, striving to advance skills and adapt to the rapidly evolving landscape of VFX.


Passionate about filmmaking and editing, independently directing and editing short films and animations with an eagerness to further develop these skills beyond the traditional confines of VFX.

Overview

16
16
years of professional experience

Work History

Freelance - Senior DMP artist

Self Employed
08.2024 - Current

DMP artist on a number of commercials, film and TV projects, including:


"The Gilded Age" - BeloFx

"KFC- Believe in Chicken 2" - Black Kite Studios

"TPU" Pixomondo

"Land Rover Discovery" - Ewanme Productions

"Samsung phone" Black Kite Studios

"Grand Slam" - Electric theater Collective


Head of Environments

MILK - VFX
London
12.2022 - 04.2024

Manged a team of 15 UK and France based Environment artists. Increased department size (from 4) and implemented much-needed change to legacy workflows and practises, working closely with all other VFX department heads. Supervised Environment creative output, and contributed digital matte paintings for various projects, including:

  • Scoop (Netflix Original Movie)
  • The Family Plan (Apple Original Movie)
  • Genie (Peacock Original Movie)

Digital Matte Painter - Freelance

Apple / Twickenham studios
London
10.2022 - 12.2022

Created Digital Matte Paintings for Ridley Scott's 'Napoleon' Feature film, for in-house client production team at Twickenham studios.

Head of Environments- Episodic

MPC - Technicolor Services
London
02.2021 - 08.2022

Managed a team of approx. 70 Environment staff. Grew and established new working practises and methodologies. Handled all department staff issues; Hiring, deployment and managing of artists. Oversaw training and upskilling. Projects included:

  • House of the Dragon (HBO series)
  • Wheel of Time (Amazon series)
  • Prehistoric Planet (BBC / Apple series)

Head of DMP & Environment Supervisor

Framestore - London
London
05.2009 - 09.2020

As Head of Department in Film division, oversaw training, professional growth and creative output of approx. 20 DMP artists in London and Montreal Offices. Worked closely with Management to build a larger, unified 'Environment Department' to meet growing demands of film work. Also supervised the DMP and Environment output for the newly formed Episodic TV and Commercials division. Projects included:

  • The Witcher (NETFLIX)
  • The Crown Season 4 (NETFLIX)
  • Beauty and the Beast
  • Guardians of the Galaxy 2
  • The Martian
  • Robocop (2014)
  • Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
  • Sherlock Holmes: Game of Shadows
  • Warhorse
  • The Chronicles of Narnia
  • Clash of the Titans

Education

Diploma of Higher Education - Audio Visual Production

Bournemouth and Poole College
Poole

Skills

  • Department Head
  • Creative team Leadership & Supervision
  • On-Set Film and TV Supervision Experience
  • VFX show bidding
  • Creative strategy development
  • Recruitment and hiring
  • Performance Management
  • Veteran Digital Matte Painting artist
  • Expert 25D DMP projection methodology
  • Skilled Concept Artist
  • Excellent Knowledge of Post-Production Industry standard software workflows
  • Location reference stills Photographer
  • Creator, Editor and Director of short Stop Motion animated films for YouTube
  • Written, Produced, Edited and Directed live action short films

Affiliations

  • Stop Motion animation YouTube content Creator / Director
  • Live action short film Writer / Producer / Director

Software Skills

  • Adobe Photoshop
  • Affinity Photo
  • Comfyui (AI image generation)
  • Nuke
  • Maya
  • Unreal Engine
  • Da Vinci Resolve
  • Cinema 4D
  • After Effects
  • Terragen
  • Windows, Linux & Mac OS


Timeline

Freelance - Senior DMP artist

Self Employed
08.2024 - Current

Head of Environments

MILK - VFX
12.2022 - 04.2024

Digital Matte Painter - Freelance

Apple / Twickenham studios
10.2022 - 12.2022

Head of Environments- Episodic

MPC - Technicolor Services
02.2021 - 08.2022

Head of DMP & Environment Supervisor

Framestore - London
05.2009 - 09.2020

Diploma of Higher Education - Audio Visual Production

Bournemouth and Poole College
David Early