PHD has been launched in Los Angeles as a new collective led by visual effects industry veterans John Hughes and Helena Packer and film/TV/commercials director Kevin Donovan. The company, a full service post production house working across the genres of VR/AR, independent films, documentaries, select TV projects including limited series, and commercials, also offers clients live action production services. PHD has offices in Los Angeles, India, Malaysia and South Africa.
From a client’s basic concept, PHD can reportedly provide all related services, including live action production (if required), all post production, color grading, off and online editorial, the highest quality visual effects, and final delivery. The new company prides itself on a highly cost efficient fee structure for its diverse group of clients based around the world.
Since the company’s launch, PHD has already worked on numerous projects, including two PSAs for the climate change campaign “5 To Do Today,” featuring Arnold Schwarzenegger and James Cameron & another PSA for the international animal advocacy group WildAid shot in Tanzania and Oregon.
PHD also collaborates with world class still photographers, including Kristian Schmidt, best known for his stunning underwater work, and Vern Evans, who is heralded for his soulful portraits.
John Hughes, formerly the co-founder of the VFX shop Rhythm and Hues, said, “In a sense, our new company is a reconfigured version of R&H, but now we are much smarter, much more nimble, and much more results driven. We have very little overhead to deal with. Our team is among the best in the world, and has worked on hundreds of award winning films and commercials, many of which have featured highly acclaimed digital animals, such as the Oscar winning Life of Pi.”
“The word ‘Value’ is of utmost importance to us when it comes to our clients. PHD is a highly efficient new company– we have digital artists here in Los Angeles, as well as in India, Malaysia and South Africa. Our combined team has extensive experience in prepping, shooting and handling all aspects of production and post-production for visual effects. The team is based upon creating world-class, VFX storytelling with the hands-on involvement of all the principals on every project. Because of our vast network of worldwide talent, we are able to produce stunning results in the most efficient, timely, and cost-effective manner possible,” added Helena Packer.
Kevin Donovan said, “The quality of our VFX work is of equal weight to any of the biggest VFX houses in the world. We offer the same level of quality at highly affordable prices, since we are keeping our overhead to a minimum. The big VFX studios around the world are great, and do great work. But our team has also worked on countless award winning films and commercials– so our clients don’t have to spend millions of dollars to get the same look and feel for their effects that the big VFX houses would normally charge them.”
