Joel Savage Joins Electric Theatre Collective as VFX Supervisor
Electric Theatre Collective have welcomed VFX supervisor Joel Savage to its Brick Lane HQ. Hailing from New Zealand, Joel’s career originally began as a prop maker at Wētā Workshop, but an impromptu holiday with friends in 2018 led him to discover his love for London – a city he now calls home.
Touching down in the Big Smoke, Joel scored a job at Framestore, spending (almost) eight years rising through the ranks as an asset artist, lighting artist and eventually, CG supervisor. Alongside ads like Sky’s The Greatest Show On Earth with Daniel Kleinman and Kellogg’s See You In The Morning with Matthijs van Heijningen, he’s also worked on hit TV shows like His Dark Materials and The Witcher. A particular highlight though, was scoring an Emmy for Alien Worlds, a Netflix series for which he worked across assets and lighting.
Of his new role, Joel says, “Having seen the work that Electric has produced over the last few years, the decision was an easy sell. They’re working with really cool clients and directors, and have bags of style. Everyone has been very welcoming. I'm excited to find my space within the team.”
Joint head of CG, Ed Shires, adds: “Joel’s diverse skillset, married with his approachability and passion to get stuck in makes him the perfect addition to the team. I’m excited to see what he brings to Electric.”
Q> Let’s go back to the start. Where did you grow up?
Joel> In a small town in New Zealand called Raglan. Sun, Surf and flipflops (if any shoes at all): a beach town of 3000 odd people.
Q> What would you title a memoir about your life?
Joel> A Savage Exposé
Q> Christmas is fast approaching. What's the best gift you've ever received?
Joel>A surprise New Year's trip to Lake Como, Italy.
Q> Favourite London restaurant. Bonus points if it's East…
Joel> East London - Laphet - Mainly because it's the only restaurant where I have found my favourite dish from northern Thailand, the Khao Soi.
Not East London - Mountain on Beak Street
Q> What did you want to be when you were younger?
Joel> My young aspirations ranged from being an architect to a professional race car driver
Q> What's the best compliment you've ever received?
Joel> Ooosh cuz, that was a mean Manu!
