Visual Effects alumnus discusses being honoured with Academy Award

Josh's career at Framestore began with a hands-on role in production, where he worked on areas including shader development. He later moved into a broader technology role, becoming a software architect before taking on leadership roles across rendering and lighting technologies.

"Since then, I came straight to Framestore, and I've been here ever since," Josh said. "I was first very hands-on, working on production, writing shaders, and then I started working on a broader set of our technology here at Framestore."

Developing technology used in over 100 films

Josh's work focuses on developing the systems and tools that artists use to describe the surfaces and shading properties of characters and environments.

He explained how this technology can be used when a character changes between different environments. For example, a bear might fall into a river and move from having dry fur to wet fur before becoming submerged underwater.

"In all of those different states, the look of the character transforms and the way that it interacts with light changes," he said.

The technology Josh has worked on helps artists create these changes as part of the visual effects process.

"I think we counted over 100 films that have been made with this tech," Josh said. "It was a tremendous honour to pick up an Academy Award for this kind of work."

"It's really cool that kind of technology is recognised in this space."

Starting his career at Falmouth

For Josh, his time at Falmouth helped him develop his creative interests and work out where he wanted to take them.

"My career started at Falmouth, and that was a really amazing place to figure out what I wanted to do and grow in that space."

"During my time at Falmouth, I knew I wanted to work in a creative space, do creative things. That was very encouraging for me to move on and pursue that further."

He says one of the most important things he learned at Falmouth was the value of communication and collaboration.

"I think the most important thing that I learned there and I continue to learn moving on is the importance of communication and facilitating that collaboration between different teams."

His career has since combined creative work with technology, with his role at Framestore spanning both the systems behind visual effects and the teams developing them.

"Do what you're passionate about"

For students and graduates looking to build careers in creative technology, Josh's advice is straightforward.

"I'd say do what you're passionate about. Ultimately, that will push you further than anything else."

He also encourages emerging creatives to experiment with new approaches.

"Explore, and try things people aren't trying."

With new techniques and technologies continuing to develop across the visual effects industry, Josh sees opportunities for people willing to experiment and find their own direction.

"It's quite an interesting time, I think, right now. There's a lot of experimentation happening with different techniques, new technologies."

"So it's a good opportunity to invest in that. And don't be afraid to do your own thing. Stick with it and see where it takes you."

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