Welcome to Deadline’s International Disruptors event, showcasing notable professionals and businesses making waves in the global market beyond the United States. In focus this year is the impactful visual effects powerhouse, Union VFX, an independent entity with offices in both London and the recently added location of Montréal. With a track record spanning 15 years, this company has quietly built a reputation for delivering seamless and imperceptible effects for film and television productions. We delve into their evolution, the importance of early involvement in VFX collaborations, and the future trajectory of the company through conversations with three key figures.
The hallmark of exceptional visual effects lies in their seamless integration within the narrative, enhancing the viewer’s immersion in the storytelling experience. Take, for instance, the sci-fi feminist series The Power on Amazon Prime Video, where the depiction of young women discovering their energy-manipulating abilities was brought to life with striking realism. Union VFX, based in London and Montréal, has been steadily gaining recognition for its expertise in delivering some of the most polished and visually captivating effects in the industry.
Lucy Cooper, the Managing Director at Union, shared insights on their work for The Power, emphasizing the challenge of creating a naturalistic effect for the characters’ powers rather than a traditional superhero portrayal. Their meticulous craftsmanship, like the subtle pulses coursing through the characters’ veins before the manifestation of their abilities, underscores the innovative approach that necessitated extensive research and creative ingenuity.
Union’s portfolio includes renowned projects such as The Power, Sam Mendes’ Empire of Light, Martin McDonagh’s The Banshees of Inisherin, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, and Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again. The company, founded in 2008 by Adam Gascoyne and Tim Caplan, also contributed to the visual spectacle of the London 2012 Olympic Opening Ceremony in collaboration with Danny Boyle’s creative team.
Their expertise extends to acclaimed series like The Crown on Netflix, Disney+’s Moon Knight, and upcoming ventures such as Yorgos Lanthimos’ highly anticipated Poor Things featuring a star-studded cast. Cooper emphasizes their focus on narrative-driven projects that may not conventionally be categorized as visual effects-heavy films.
Gascoyne, Caplan, and Cooper view their latest endeavors as a culmination of Union’s 15-year journey, embodying a forward-thinking VFX studio deeply embedded in the storytelling process. While this collaborative approach was initially met with skepticism in the industry, the trio asserts that early engagement yields superior outcomes and optimizes budget utilization, a shift that is increasingly recognized and embraced.
Despite the historical perception of post-production and visual effects as secondary considerations in filmmaking, Union takes pride in tackling unconventional VFX challenges. Gascoyne underscores the ubiquitous presence of visual effects across modern cinema, emphasizing their role in facilitating storytelling and enhancing narrative coherence.
Gascoyne and Caplan draw from their extensive experience, including contributions to notable projects like Gladiator, the early Harry Potter films, and Mamma Mia!, to establish Union as a fusion of creative and technical excellence. Their departure from traditional hierarchical structures in favor of a streamlined, artist-centric approach has been pivotal in shaping Union’s ethos and client relationships.
The addition of Creative Director Simon Hughes in 2012 and Managing Director Lucy Cooper in 2016 further fortified Union’s commitment to innovation and client satisfaction. Cooper’s admiration for Union’s early work and the revolutionary tool Sneak underscore the company’s pioneering spirit in leveraging technology for creative expression.
Currently boasting a team of 140 professionals across London and Montréal, Union maintains a significant female representation, setting a benchmark in an industry traditionally dominated by male counterparts. This inclusive approach aligns with their vision of nurturing talent and fostering a collaborative environment conducive to artistic growth and technical innovation.
In the realm of visual effects, Union stands at the forefront of embracing emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), as a means to enhance efficiency and elevate creative output. Gascoyne and Cooper acknowledge the transformative potential of AI in streamlining workflows and empowering artists to focus on more intricate and engaging projects, underscoring the company’s commitment to continuous evolution and adaptation.
As Union continues to push boundaries and redefine the visual effects landscape, their dedication to storytelling, innovation, and collaborative excellence remains unwavering, positioning them as trailblazers in the global VFX arena.
