How to Get Hired at Framestore
What Framestore looks for in VFX artists, compositors, and animators, how the hiring process works, salary ranges by office, and how to build a portfolio that reaches their bar.
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Art Style by Production
Understanding Framestore’s visual language is essential before applying. Your portfolio needs to match the specific style of the project you are targeting.
Gravity (2013, Oscar Winner)
VFX PhotorealismFramestore’s most acclaimed credit. Gravity required photoreal space VFX, character simulation, and seamless CG/live-action integration. The benchmark for cinematic photorealism at the highest level.
- Cinematic photorealistic CG — not stylised
- Seamless integration of CG elements into live-action plates
- Space and environment simulation: debris, weightlessness, light behaviour
- Academy Award-winning compositing quality
Paddington
Stylised Character VFXPaddington required a beloved 2D character translated into a photorealistic but emotionally expressive 3D character embedded into live-action environments.
- High-fidelity fur simulation and grooming
- Facial performance and emotional expressiveness in CG characters
- Live-action integration with a non-photorealistic character design
- Subtle, performance-driven animation
Game of Thrones (Multiple Seasons)
TV VFX ProductionTV VFX demands fast production turnarounds alongside feature-quality results. Crowd simulation, environment extension, and creature work across multiple seasons.
- Crowd simulation at scale
- Environment extension and matte painting
- High-volume production schedule: TV demands speed alongside quality
- Creature animation and simulation
The Framestore Hiring Process
What to expect when applying to Framestore as a game artist.
Portfolio / Showreel Submission
Apply via framestore.com/join-us. CG artists submit a showreel (2-3 minutes max) with a breakdown. Compositors must show Nuke-based work. Art directors review before HR contact.
1-4 weeksInitial Interview
Video or in-person interview with an art director or supervisor. Discussion of reel, pipeline, software depth, and production experience.
45-60 minutesTechnical Test or Trial Day
Senior roles may include a brief technical test. For Trainee applications, a supervised trial day at the London or Montreal studio is common.
1 day or short exerciseOffer
Written offer including salary, start date, and visa support if applicable. Framestore supports Skilled Worker Visa applications for London.
1-2 weeksSalary Ranges
| Role | Level | Salary (Est.) | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compositor | Mid-Level | GBP 35,000 — 55,000 | London |
| Compositor | Senior | GBP 55,000 — 80,000 | London |
| Animator | Mid-Level | GBP 38,000 — 58,000 | London |
| CG Artist / Environment TD | Senior | GBP 52,000 — 78,000 | London |
| Artist | Mid-Level | CAD 55,000 — 85,000 | Montreal |
| Artist | Senior | CAD 80,000 — 130,000 | Montreal |
Portfolio Tips by Discipline
Compositors
- Nuke proficiency is near-mandatory — show complex multi-pass compositing work
- Integration work: CG elements into live-action plates at feature film quality
- Colour science and grading understanding demonstrates senior-level capability
- Show variety: creature integration, environment extension, effects compositing
Animators
- Framestore animation is primarily creature performance, character acting, and simulation
- Show a range of creature locomotion and facial performance animation
- Houdini crowd simulation and mocap cleanup are relevant secondary skills
- Feature film quality reel — TV and games experience relevant for mid-level
Environment / CG TDs
- Houdini procedural setups for terrain, environments, and effects are valued
- Cross-software: Maya, Houdini, Nuke — pipeline generalism is an asset
- Matte painting integration and plate photography alignment for environment extension
- Real-time rendering experience (Unreal Engine) increasingly relevant for game cinematic work
Application Volume Reality
Framestore operates at the top tier of the VFX industry. Feature film compositor roles receive hundreds of applications for each opening. The Trainee programme is the correct entry point for new graduates — applying directly to mid-level roles without at least 2-3 years of professional VFX credits will not advance. For compositing roles, a Nuke showreel without professional-quality integration work is unlikely to progress.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a job at Framestore?
Apply via framestore.com/join-us. Compositors and CG artists need Nuke and Houdini in their reel. Framestore also runs a Trainee programme for early-career artists. Subscribe to ArtBlast to get notified when new roles post.
What does Framestore pay?
London: GBP 35K-80K for compositors/animators. Montreal: CAD 55K-130K. New York/US: USD 80K-150K+.
What films has Framestore worked on?
Gravity, Paddington, The Dark Knight, Guardians of the Galaxy, Blade Runner 2049, Dune, Game of Thrones, and hundreds more.
Does Framestore hire junior VFX artists?
Framestore runs a Trainee programme in London and Montreal. Most public job board roles are mid-level and above.
What software does Framestore use?
Nuke for compositing, Houdini for FX, Autodesk Maya for animation and modelling, Katana for lighting. Nuke is near-mandatory for compositor roles.
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