LOS ANGELES — VFX boutique Artjail (www.artjail.com) has launched an LA office, located in Santa Monica. The operation marks the studio’s third location, alongside existing studios in New York and Toronto.
The development represents the next step in Artjail’s plan to set up a collection of VFX boutiques in major markets. A long-anticipated move, the new office will be supported by the close relationships the team has already built up with directors, production companies and West Coast agencies.
Photo (L-R): JD Yepes, John Skeffington, CD/founder Steve Mottershead and Elizabeth Thuvanuti Keating
The new LA studio broadens the company’s bandwidth while maintaining a smaller, more manageable culture for its artists. It also grants it access to a new talent pool. For its clients, the development brings the opportunity to work across time zones while upholding the care and culture they are accustomed to.
To lead its LA team, Artjail has selected MD/EP and partner John Skeffington. Elizabeth Thuvanuti Keating was promoted to head of production of both the New York and LA offices. And JD Yepes, a new hire, joins the company as partner and head of 2D. With over two decades of experience in the industry, Yepes has worked at major post houses, including MPC and The Mill. He most recently spent nine years at Framestore, where he worked as a compositing supervisor.
Artjail LA has already completed projects for ESPN and Smartwater, as well as two out of Deutsch LA for Lowe’s. According to Elizabeth Thuvanuti Keating, the studio’s first year will focus on “organic growth in building both the team and our relationships with West Coast clients.”