Anyone attending any of my presentations recently will have heard me pontificate on how good Britain can be in the combining of Technology and Media. Indeed I would suggest that we were world-beating in that department. Lately I have reminded audiences that it was a company based in Edinburgh – RockStar – that was behind Grand Theft Auto and its stunning graphics. Indeed Grand Theft Auto Five sold over $1b in its first weekend. The trouble with this example, however, is that I just hate the game and all it stands for.
But now I have a new ‘shining’ example – FrameStore. Framestore is a British computer graphics and animation house producing amazing visual effects. Harry Potter, Warhorse, Clash of the Titans and many others. But the reason I am writing this post is because of their latest creation – Gravity. The Sandra Bullock (and George Clooney) blockbuster was made entirely in Britain. Gravity is the most stunning 3D film I have ever seen. You really do believe it was all shot in space. But it is all simulation. Not just the backdrops but every movement of the astronauts floating in space.
Framestore is the real ‘star’ of the film. Looks like they are set for an Oscar. Something for which Britain should be very proud.