Elliot Mander

During my time at Blue Spill,Oversee the day-to-day running of the studio, keeping projects, people, and production moving smoothly across multiple fast-paced workflows.

• Oversee the day-to-day running of the studio, keeping projects, people, and production moving smoothly across multiple fast-paced workflows.
• Manage crew across a range of productions, handling hiring, onboarding, team structure, and resource planning based on the needs of each project.
• Build and maintain both short and long-term schedules, balancing overlapping client work, shifting priorities, tight deadlines, and available resources.
• Lead client communication from the earliest creative conversations through to final delivery, helping shape ideas while ensuring expectations, timelines, and deliverables stay aligned, while building strong client relationships that have led to a high rate of repeat business.
• Scope, build, and manage project budgets, tracking costs throughout production and making decisions that protect both creative quality and commercial viability, while keeping clients informed to maintain transparency throughout the process.
• Act as the bridge between clients, creatives, and production teams, translating creative vision into practical execution and keeping everyone moving in the same direction.
• Problem-solve in real time, adapting quickly to changing briefs, production challenges, and last-minute shifts without losing momentum.
• Support creative development by overhauling the pitching process, alongside project planning and production strategy, helping turn ideas into deliverable work.
• Help shape studio processes and ways of working, improving communication, efficiency, and overall project delivery across the company.

During my time at UnionVFX, I was trusted to independently oversee productions from planning through to final delivery, acting as the main operational anchor across multiple shows. I managed schedules, resources, client communication, and delivery planning, ensuring projects remained on track creatively, financially, and logistically.

• Took ownership of show schedules and delivery planning, balancing deadlines, bid values, shot complexity, and artist strengths to build realistic and efficient production plans.
• Acted as the primary point of contact for clients, including post producers, studios, and occasionally directors, providing project updates, coordinating reviews and deliveries, and resolving issues as they arose.
• Worked closely with VFX Supervisors to ensure production workflows supported creative needs, allowing supervisors to stay focused on quality and creative direction.
• Oversaw Project Coordinators, supporting their day-to-day work, helping resolve issues, and ensuring project databases, schedules, and production tracking remained accurate and up to date.
• Stepped into coordination responsibilities when required, maintaining smooth project delivery across both production and administrative workflows.
• Adapted schedules and resources in real time to respond to shifting priorities, client feedback, and production challenges.

Operational Improvements & Initiatives

• Established a dedicated Research & Development department to support innovation and technical problem-solving within the studio.
• Designed and implemented an automated shot database used to generate pitch reels and showreels, significantly improving internal efficiency.
• Rebuilt the internal QC process alongside the Head of 2D, improving delivery speed, consistency, and overall output quality.
• Created and launched a mentorship programme pairing lead artists with junior artists to support growth, development, and knowledge sharing.
• Built an internal outsourcing pipeline for externally assigned work, creating clearer tracking for deliveries, return dates, and automated department notifications.

During my time as a Project Coordinator, I supported the day-to-day running of multiple VFX productions, helping ensure communication, scheduling, and delivery stayed on track across all departments. The role required strong organisation, clear communication, and the ability to keep multiple moving parts aligned under tight deadlines.

• Managed and ran daily dailies sessions, taking detailed notes, tracking client feedback, and following up with relevant teams to ensure actions were completed.
• Maintained and updated internal production databases, ensuring shot statuses, delivery ETAs, notes, and key project information remained accurate and accessible to the wider team.
• Scheduled key tasks, milestones, and delivery targets to help projects stay on schedule and within budget.
• Worked closely with artists, leads, supervisors, and production teams, maintaining regular communication to ensure client feedback was being addressed and deadlines were consistently met.
• Conducted regular floor rounds with lead artists and supervisors to identify blockers early and help resolve production issues before they impacted delivery.
• Communicated confidently with colleagues across all levels of the studio, helping keep teams informed and workflows moving smoothly.
• Stepped into the role of VFX Editor when required, balancing editorial responsibilities alongside coordination duties depending on project and staffing needs.

I joined UnionVFX as a Runner / Production Assistant and quickly progressed into wider production responsibilities. Within my first month, I stepped into the role of VFX Editor on Steve Jobs, taking over partway through the project following a team departure.

• Rapidly learned new software, workflows, and internal processes in order to transition into the VFX Editor role within a single day.
• Managed shot turnover and delivery workflows, ensuring incoming and outgoing materials were tracked, organised, and delivered accurately.
• Supported client review sessions, helping facilitate smooth communication between clients, editorial, and internal production teams.
• Maintained internal project data and tracking systems, ensuring critical information remained accurate and accessible.
• Adapted quickly to increased responsibility in a fast-paced production environment, demonstrating strong initiative, reliability, and problem-solving under pressure.

During my time at Amber Entertainment, I worked directly with producers Ileen Maisel and Lawrence Elman, supporting both day-to-day operations and early-stage development work across projects.

• Managed database and travel coordination, ensuring schedules, logistics, and production information were accurately maintained.
• Produced creative development materials including look-books, sizzle reels, and research packs to support meetings and pitch preparation.
• Assisted with organising and preparing materials for internal and external production meetings, ensuring teams were fully briefed and resourced.
• Supported producers with general production and administrative tasks, helping maintain smooth day-to-day operations within the office.
• Contributed to early-stage project development work, helping gather and structure reference material for pitches and creative discussions.