Framestore to Shut Down Vancouver Studio in Wake of SAG-AFTRA Strikes

Framestore, one of the most renowned names in visual effects, has made the tough decision to close its Vancouver facility, effective July 5, 2024. This news, shared in an internal email to staff, comes as a direct result of the industry slowdown following the SAG-AFTRA strikes that disrupted productions in the latter half of 2023.

The Vancouver studio, which became a core part of Framestore’s operations after it acquired Method Studios in 2020, has been responsible for some truly amazing work over the years. Despite the high caliber of VFX projects coming out of the Vancouver team, the ongoing market challenges have forced Framestore to make this difficult move.

According to the internal email, no new projects will be initiated in Vancouver, though a smaller team will remain to handle current, ongoing work. Framestore has reassured its employees that it is committed to supporting those affected, offering opportunities at other studio locations and working with recruitment teams to help find roles elsewhere in the industry.

In the message to staff, Framestore expressed its deep regret over the closure, emphasizing that this decision was purely due to the challenging market conditions and not a reflection of the talent or quality of work produced by the Vancouver team. "We’re incredibly proud of the exceptional work the talented team has produced over many years," the message reads.

This move highlights the ripple effect of the SAG-AFTRA strikes, which not only disrupted film and TV productions but also hit the wider VFX and post-production industries hard. Framestore’s decision to close its Vancouver facility is a sobering reminder of the broader challenges studios face in maintaining operations during periods of market instability.

While it's a tough moment for the Vancouver team, Framestore’s commitment to helping employees find new opportunities shows the company’s dedication to its people even in challenging times.