Jerry Andrews(I)

Graduated in three dimensional design and photography (BA Hons) from Wolverhampton Polytechnic, UK. First professional job was in 1980, working on the feature film The Dark Crystal, as an animatronics creature fabricator (moldmaker, sculptor) for Jim Hensons Creature Workshop in London, UK. Moved to Manchester, UK in 1981 and worked as a model maker and puppet fabricator (moldmaker) for Cosgrove Hall Productions. Built sets, props and puppets for the TV movie Wind In The Willows (1982). Extending his interest in photography, became an animation lighting cameraman for Cosgrove Hall and worked for the next 9 years on the TV series of Wind in The Willows, Oh Mr Toad, Truckers (from the Terry Pratchet novel), and the TV special The Fool Of The World and the Flying Ship. Many of these productions won international awards. During this period Jerry married his present partner, Lesley Scott. In 1992 Jerry moved back to London, working as a freelance cameraman and teaching part time at the Royal College of Art (RCA) on the post-grad film animation course. In 1993 Jerry joined Telecine Cell in London, then the largest motion control company in Europe, and a digital post company with many advertising clients. He worked as a motion control assistant cameraman, then as an operator, also lighting a number of advertising and broadcast spots for the BBC, Channel 4 TV and others. From 1993 until 1998 Jerry honed his operating skills on many TV ads and music videos, also working closely with clients and his post production colleagues to deliver visual effects sequences. Notable productions included Oasis - Know What I Mean, Lisa Stansfield - The Real Thing, Reef - Yer Old, commercials for Delta Airlines, British Gas, British Telecom (with Bob Hoskins), Ford, Daihatsu, Mitsubishi, Longines, and many others. Jerry worked closely with directors such as Michel Gondry, Stuart Douglas, Oliver Harrison, Fabrice Curazo, Alex Orlowski, Jerry Hibbert and Robert Golden. During this period Telecine Cell built a reputation as a one-stop-shop for visual effects production and digital post, and Jerry gained some hands-on experience with Softimage 3D and compositing tools, and attended many courses and seminars on VFX techniques. In 1997 Telecine Cell was "raided" by newly emerging Mill Film, enticing away several key staff and severely reducing the company's client base and effectiveness. In 1998 Jerry himself was offered a position in Canada's largest post house, Command Post (Toybox), with a promise of feature film work and major VFX projects in a large facility. Jerry spent five years in Toronto with Toybox as head of their motion control department, and continued to work as a freelance lighting cameraman. He was VFX unit DoP on the feature film Jason X and also shot its dark, organic title sequence. He DoP'd several music videos including Chantal Kreviazuk's "Dear Life" and John Digweed's "Beautiful Strange", also operating motion control on Five For Fighting's "Superman", Sum 41's "What We're All About" and many others. Through Toybox he also shot VFX sequences for Existenz, K-19 Widowmaker, Chicago and many TV commercials. In 2003, prior to Toybox being taken over by Technicolor, Jerry left to start Driven Visual Effects, buying his own equipment and seeking international opportunities. In 2005 he also founded Kinetic Camera in Toronto with business partner Craig Perrin. He has since worked as a motion control cameraman on numerous feature films and TV commercials. He continues to work internationally as a motion control operator, DoP and Visual Effects Supervisor on all types of production, from a home base near Toronto, Canada. Jerry also shoots personal documentary projects. In 2006 he filmed in South Africa to support children with HIV and AIDS and his work was broadcast at the opening ceremony for the World Aids Conference in Toronto.