VFX Supervisor David Jones Leads Expanded Team for "Town Creek," Other Films

Riot has made several senior level additions to its Feature Visual Effects team as it moves forward on a series of new film projects. Visual Effects Supervisor David Jones, best known for his work on BLACK HAWK DOWN, BAD BOYS II and THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, now heads the studio’s creative team and oversees work on all of its feature-related projects.
Additionally, Riot has brought on Digital Effects Supervisor Jamie Hallett, formerly with Intelligent Creatures, and Visual Effects Producers Ben Seymour and Erika McKee, both formerly of Rhythm & Hues.

“Riot has made a strong commitment to growing its feature team and our aim is not simply to become larger, but rather to build a truly first class creative team capable of collaborating with filmmakers at the highest level in crafting spectacular visuals,” said Riot Managing Director Michael Taylor. “The arrival of David, Jamie, Ben and Erika is a strong step in that direction. They are special talents and are a great addition to what was already an excellent core group.”

“I’ve worked with each of these individuals in the past and have been very impressed with their talent and dedication,” said Lindsay Burnett, Executive Producer for Feature Films. “I look forward to doing more great work with them.”

Riot, which recently wrapped work on HAIRSPRAY and LIVE FREE OR DIE HARD, is currently serving as sole visual effects supplier for TOWN CREEK, a supernatural thriller for Gold Circle Films and Director Joel Schumacher. It is also slated to produce all the visual effects for the upcoming New Line release THE TIME TRAVELER’S WIFE (Robert Schwentke, director) and is about to deliver a VFX package for THE SEEKER: THE DARK IS RISING for Fox.

Jones recently served as Visual Effects Supervisor at Asylum where he worked on more than a dozen films including BLACK HAWK DOWN, THE RING, CHARLIE’S ANGELS 2: FULL THROTTLE and BAD BOYS II. He previously held a similar post at Manex Visual Effects, where his credits included THE ANIMAL. His background also includes a senior visual effects post with Sony Pictures Imageworks, where he worked on HOLLOW MAN, CONTACT, and other films. A native of Bristol, England, Jones studied philosophy at King’s College in Halifax, Nova Scotia. He began his career with Disney.

Jones said his mission is to help Riot compete for the best film projects in Hollywood. “I want to take this very talented group of people and give them the opportunity to work with the best film makers in the business,” he said. “We want to create effects that no one has ever seen before-or even imagined.”

Jamie Hallett arrives after three years at Intelligent Creatures where his work included the films THE FOUNTAIN and THE NUMBER 23. His background also includes a post as Technical Imaging Artist for IMAX, where he worked on the IMAX version of THE MATRIX: REVOLUTIONS, and as an Optical Cameraman and Digital Compositor at Film Effects.

Ben Seymour recently worked as a Look Development Production Manager on BEOWULF for Sony Pictures Imageworks. He spent three years at Rhythm & Hues, with credits including SCOOBY-DOO and THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE.

Erika McKee’s credits at Rhythm & Hues include the film SCOOBY DOO: MONSTERS UNLEASHED. She has also worked as a staff producer at Centropolis FX (THE MATRIX RELOADED, THE MATRIX REVOLUTIONS) AND Digital Domain (ARMAGEDDON, RED PLANET). She began her career as a VFX Miniatures Coordinator with Warner Bros.