Hi! I’m Julia, a freelance virtual production supervisor and technical director. Working primarily in film and TV, I aim to leverage technology for visual storytelling and support creative workflows throughout production. With a background in tech art, R&D, and software development, I love being hands-on in the process whether that’s in pre-production, on-set, or post.
While my focus has been on ICVFX and virtual production tools, my recent attention has been on real-time visualisation on set and in pre-production. Recently I worked on a Netflix production in the art department and am particularly interested in getting more into VAD and physical production, but also keen to continue working in virtual production on set and pre/tech/post vis. I also worked at DNEG/Dimension as a VP supervisor on shows including Mercy, Here, and Those About to Die, as well as leading the implementation of SMPTE 2110 at the Cinecittà volume in Rome. Prior to that, I was at Lux Machina Los Angeles/UK on shows such as Barbie and House of the Dragon: Season 1.
Before jumping into ICVFX, I worked at The Third Floor LA as the lead developer on Cyclops, an on-set visualisation app leveraging ARKit to preview CG elements against live plates. This app was awarded the Lumiere Entertainment Technology Award by the Advanced Imaging Society, and has been used on shows such as House of the Dragon, The Mandalorian, Shang-Chi and the Ten Rings, and The Witcher.
I also worked at DNEG London as an R&D software developer on fur and groom tools contributing to shows such as Avengers: Endgame and Togo. Prior to that I was at Digital Domain in LA as a virtual production TD, working on films including Ready Player One as well as developing several VR/AR experiences and apps. One of my early projects, a virtual camera using depth cameras attached to a mobile phone or tablet, plugged into the Photon cinematography plugin for Unity and was used on Blade Runner 2049 and Greyhound.
I am constantly trying to learn new things and tinkering on various bits of development to speed up my own workflow or just for fun, whether that’s tinkering with shaders and tools, 3d printing, or a home lab setup. A cause that is important to me is supporting other women in VFX, and I have participated in programs such as the Animated Women UK Helen North Achieve Programme and Access:VFX Women in Code podcast. I am a member of the Television Academy, VES, and BAFTA Connect.
Though I love exploring all areas of computer graphics, my specializations are fluid and particle simulation, proceduralism, and real-time virtual production tools. I also enjoy trying my hand at photography, drawing, gardening, and calligraphy, and trying to improve my Italian, French, and Chinese. Though I usually work out of the Greater London area, I am available without visa sponsorship in Italy, UK, and USA and would welcome opportunities around the world.
Primary DCCs include Unreal, Embergen, Photoshop, Maya, Blender, Da Vinci Resolve, and Houdini.
Primary programming languages include Python, C++, and HLSL, and have familiarity with C#, Objective C, Javascript, and SQL.