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Featured Corp Member: Cantina Creative
Gillian Pearson
Your company motto is…
We believe in storytelling, problem solving, and collaboration.
Tell us a bit about your company.
Cantina Creative is a design and visual effects studio located in Los Angeles, CA and Vancouver, Canada. Our projects range from feature films to commercials, video game cinematics, real-world interactive experiences, and practical applications.
We believe that creativity extends far beyond the screen. We pride ourselves in our ability to problem solve, and provide creative solutions to technical, visual, and storytelling challenges.
We have been fortunate to work on a wide range of projects, from feature films to commercials, video game cinematics, real-world interactive experiences, and practical applications. A few examples include Avatar: The Way of Water, Free Guy, She-Hulk, Black Adam, Spider-Man Homecoming, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Guardians of the Galaxy, Blade Runner 2049 and many more.
Cantina Creative has joined Territory Studios as a founding member of the Territory Group.
How many staff members / freelancers do you employ?
It ranges by project and schedule – we do employ freelancers as well as our core staff in both locations. Overall we are a boutique company, less than 50 people at present, between both studios.
What are you working on right now?
We are working on a Netflix feature and a Disney series – you know I can’t say quite yet! Both include lots of great motion design and VFX compositing.
What is a favourite project that you’ve worked on, and why?
I’m new at Cantina, but in recent years, I enjoyed working on Yu Yu Hakusho for Netflix – big challenging shots with a global team; and Bones of Crows for CBC – a local, intimate look at history close to home.
What percentage of your work is with local vs. international clients?
Cantina Creative in Vancouver is still fairly new, and most of our work has been with international clients. However, I’m a long-time Vancouver resident and love supporting local filmmakers – independent or studio shows.
Are you a Mac/PC/Linux shop? Or all of the above?
Mac & PC
What software/hardware/plugins can you not live without?
We’re all about mixing it up – After Effects & Cinema 4D, along with Maya and Nuke. We’ll explore what tools we need to match the design needs of the project.
Any workflow improvements brought about by the need to work remotely?
With so many staff and clients working remotely, production management and some technical processes have been streamlined. Sometimes we even get things done more quickly because of the lack of water-cooler chat time…
What do you miss most about “in person” client sessions?
That said, seeing the crew and meeting with clients in person is invaluable, for comradery and collaboration. I do hope that we all move toward encouraging more in-person work and reviews, and continue to support organizations such as VPA and VES and their in-person events.
How long have you been a VPA corporate member?
Cantina Creative has been a member just since last year
Is there anything else about your company that you’d like people to know about that we haven’t yet asked?
Keep in touch with me via email or LinkedIn – there will be growth and hiring soon!
