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.

Security & Peace of Mind

Our TISAX security accreditation makes us a uniquely secure partner for your most sensitive brand data. We’re proud to be one of only three post-houses in London with this rigorous certification. While it originated in the automotive sector, we view it as the gold standard in protecting your intellectual property—ensuring your projects and confidential information are always in safe hands.

MEET THE TEAM

Jason Watts - Creative Director

Jason started his career at The Mill becoming one of their key creative employees and winning coveted awards from D&AD and The British Arrows Craft Awards. At The Mill, he gained a wealth of knowledge and worked with directors such as Frank Budgen, Malcolm Venville, Daniel Barber and Ivan Bird on campaigns for BMW, Mercedes, Barnardos, AntiSmoking, Levis, Ford, and the banned BBC “Cliffhanger” ident and George Miller and Michael Cumming on 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, 2005) and has been voted in the Top 10 UK Facilities for the last 20 years (Televisual).

Jason has also supervised a number of Longform projects for the studio and worked on shows including the BAFTA nominated 'Emerald City', Daniel Barber's 'The Keeping Room', Neil Marshall's Doomsday and the 2018 Netflix Series ' The Alienist' winning an Emmy for Best Visual Effects. More recently Freefolk have worked on Napoleon, Fast & Furious 10 and lead vender on WINX.

HARIN HIRANI - VFX SUPERVISOR

Harin Hirani is Freefolk’s award-winning Head of 3D and led the CG team for TNT/Paramount’s ‘The Alienist’, which won an Emmy for Outstanding Visual Effects (2018).

Recently he has delivered over 140 science fiction planet environment shots for Dr Who (S2 Ep 3) The Well, and a further 730 shots on 'Anansi Boys' (Amazon), 350 shots for ‘Fate: The Winx Saga’, 200 shots on Netflix’s Bafta-Nominated ‘Cursed’, and hero environments and FX shots for the critically acclaimed HBO series ‘The Third Day’ starring Jude Law. He has also overseen major advertising campaigns for Freefolk, working with a handpicked team of CG artists to build a strong department that offers a deep understanding across a broad skill set of key 3D and FX disciplines, including Houdini, animation and creature work.

Matt Fisher - Lead CG Generalist

Since joining Freefolk in 2021, Matt has been the driving force behind some of our biggest CG projects. He pairs technical expertise with a calm, easygoing approach that keeps the CG process seamless and collaborative.

Matt is known for his exceptional problem-solving skills and for always finding creative, innovative ways to approach projects, always working with schedules and budgets in mind. Recent projects include McDonalds, LEGO, Skoda and Warburtons.

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.

Cheryl Payne - Head of Production

As Head of Production at Freefolk Cheryl works across the business with MD 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, 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 it’s 20th anniversary.

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

Laura Ricketts - Executive Producer

As Executive Producer at Freefolk, Laura works alongside the senior leadership team to drive the commercials division, develop strategic client partnerships, and elevate the studio’s creative profile. Laura is adept at bridging the gap between a director’s vision and technical execution, ensuring Freefolk’s output is delivered with both creative flair and precision. She also oversees the commercials pipeline, working closely with the production and CGI teams to assess project needs and secure high-caliber work.

With boundless energy and a deep "inside-out" knowledge of the studio, Laura has been an integral part of the Freefolk team for over seven years. She has been a key figure in the company’s evolution from their longtime home in Soho to their brand-new studio space in Spitalfields playing a vital role in maintaining the boutique, independent spirit the company prides itself on.

Laura has produced high-end VFX on some of Freefolk’s most technically demanding campaigns, including McDonald's Showdown, as well as complex projects for LEGO, AIB, Now TV, Virgin Media, and Sky. Over her career, she has collaborated with acclaimed directors such as Max Fisher, Chris Balmond, Nono Ayuso, Henry Mason, and Bethan Seller.