Freefolk | Realise

INTRODUCING FREEFOLK

We are an independent VFX studio renowned for crafting high-end content across various platforms. We prioritise culture, experience, and exceptional work, and while we're best known for advertising, film, and episodic television, our adaptable approach allows us to embrace each project as a fresh opportunity. Our unique position in the market enables us to respond quickly and deliver creative solutions.

We're proud recipients of multiple prestigious awards, including an Emmy Award, BAFTA TV Craft nominations, British Arrow Crafts, Midsummers, Kinsale Sharks, LIAA, D&AD Yellow Pencil, and an Oscar nomination.

Commercials have been central to our work for many years. To complement this and drive creativity, we established our Film & Episodic department in 2016. Its year-on-year growth has helped us become one of London's most successful, trusted, and creative companies. Our clients include Netflix, Amazon, Apple, Paramount, TNT, Universal, and Warner Bros.

TISAX APPROVED

Freefolk are thrilled to announce that they've been awarded the highest security clearance TISAX accreditation. They are now one of a very select group of VFX houses who are accredited to work with brands within the automotive industry. So now we’re on the exclusive list and are automotive VIPs we are fully secure to talk to you about your next project for all your automotive brands requiring this super special stamp of approval. TISAX is the European cyber-security and vendor due diligence platform developed specifically to protect data within the automotive industry and is used to assess organisations involved in all areas of the production of vehicles.

MEET THE TEAM

Jason Watts

Creative Director

Jason started his career at The Mill becoming one of their key creative artists and winning coveted awards from D&AD and The British Arrows Craft Awards. It's where he gained a wealth of knowledge and worked with directors such as Frank Budgen, Daniel Barber, Ridley and Tony Scott on campaigns for BMW, Mercedes, Barnardos, AntiSmoking, Levis, Ford and Film and TV Series such as 'Babe' and Brass Eye.

In 2004 Jason opened his own VFX studio called Finish (now known as Freefolk), with the vision to create a smaller creative company that could maintain a presence in a project from start to finish. Within two years of opening, the studio was voted one of the Top Ten Post Houses (Campaign) and has been voted in the Top 10 UK Facilities for the last 20 years (Televisual).

More recently, as well as supervising high profile advertising campaigns for global brands such as Škoda, Warburtons, Virgin Media, O2, Sky and Cadbury. Jason has directed commercial projects for Wild Nutrition, Skoda and films for Dyson. The ability to combine both skills as a supervisor and a director gives Jason a unique perspective that has allowed Freefolk to elevate its creative output and form long-lasting relationships with directors, agencies and clients.

Cheryl Payne

Head of Production

As Head of Production Cheryl works across the business with CEO Fi Kilroe and the senior leadership team developing strong client relationships, growing the business and nurturing the team. Cheryl is a master at working closely with agency and production, to produce Freefolk’s creative output within budget and schedule. She also has oversight and responsibility for revenue, whilst working closely with the production team and scheduling to assess needs for projects.

With exceptional levels of organisation an approachable and good listener, Cheryl has been at Freefolk since the early days at their first location in Soho’s Poland Street, then to Wardour Street and now at their brand new impressive studio space in Spitalfields with many of the Freefolk original team as the company celebrated its 20th anniversary.

Cheryl has worked on numerous high-end and award-winning commercials including PG Tips with Calling and Sir Steve McQueen at Lammas Park, multiple Warburtons campaigns with Declan Lowney at Merman, Škoda Robots with Frederic Planchon and Dyson campaigns to name but a few.

Matt Fisher

Commercials CG Lead

With a creative eye, incredible attention to detail and the all important ability and experience to engage with directors and producers, Matt is a highly accomplished and respected CG artist.

As CG Lead at Freefolk, Matt plays a pivotal role in the company's award-winning creative output and has been an integral part of the CG team on projects including, Škoda Robots, Škoda Enyaq, Channel 4, Virgin (Publicis), Ocado (St Luke’s), Now TV (Girls and Boys), Aldi (McCann) and Legoland (TBWA). He has worked with directors such as Frederic Planchon, Chris Balmond and Declan Lowney.

Andy Copping

Head of 2D Commercials

Andy joined Freefolk in August 2007 and is our Head of 2D Commercials.

Whilst working his way up to his current position, Andy has played an intrinsic part in Freefolk’s growth and development. Combining his technical knowledge with a creative mindset, Andy has worked with a roster of award-winning directors on large scale international campaigns with multiple deliveries in all formats.

One of Andy’s key strengths is forming long-lasting relationships with both directors and clients which are built on trust.

Outside of work, Andy prides himself on compiling an encyclopaedic knowledge of everything and anything.