Ben F.

Experience

• Art Director Wētā Workshop Ltd · Full-time Dec 2024 – Present 1 yrs Wellington, Wellington Region, New Zealand I am currently employed at Weta Workshop as a Art Director for the manufacture division. In this role I oversee projects in film, location based experiences, art and robotics. I am involved in projects from the design phase all the way through to delivery of the final physically produced product and representing Weta on set. This role includes art direction, client relations, quoting on jobs, leading build plans, timeline planning, CAD modeling.
• Project Supervisor Wētā Workshop Ltd · Full-time Jan 2021 – Dec 2024 3 yrs 11 mos Wellington, Wellington Region, New Zealand I returned to Weta Workshop as a project supervisor for the manufacture division. In this role I lead projects in film, location based experiences, and robotics. In this role I worked in the design phase all the way through to delivery of the final physically produced product and representing Weta on set. This role included project leadership, client relations, quoting on jobs, leading build plans, timeline planning, CAD modeling.
• Prop Designer 880 Productions · Full-time Jun 2020 – Jan 2021 7 mos Wellington, Wellington Region, New Zealand After arriving back in New Zealand I worked for 880 Productions on the film Avatar Way of Water as the prop designer for the New Zealand contingent of the company. My role was focused on designing live action props for manufacture using a variety of CAD software's and illustrative programs like Photoshop. I then supported manufacture teams and the onset props department during the filming process.
• Senior 3D Modeller / Designer Designer Unlimited Design LTD · Full-time Oct 2018 – Mar 2020 1 yrs 5 mos Wellington, Wellington Region, New Zealand While on a two year working visa in Vancouver Canada I was employed by Unlimited Design as a Senior 3D Modeller / Designer. I worked predominantly within design, CAD and project management but also applied my diverse skillset to miniature set building, painting, model making, 3D printing, 3D scanning and laser cutting while working for the company.
• Senior 3D Modeller / CNC Machinist Wētā Workshop Ltd · Full-time Sep 2015 – Aug 2018 2 yrs 11 mos Wellington, Wellington Region, New Zealand After roughly two years working as a technician and on set for Pukeko I was offered the role of Senior 3D Modeler / CNC Machinist. In this role I specialized in 3D CAD modelling, CNC machining, 3D printing and laser cutting while working on a massive variety of film and museum projects.
• On Set Art Department Pukeko Pictures LP · Part-time Apr 2014 – Sep 2015 1 yrs 5 mos Wellington, Wellington Region, New Zealand Worked on set for the Art Department building, puppeteering, and filming life like miniatures at a wide range of scales for the series Thunderbirds Are Go season one. I did this work alongside my work at Weta swapping into this role when shooting blocks started.
• Wētā Technician Wētā Workshop Ltd · Full-time Nov 2013 – Aug 2015 1 yrs 9 mos Wellington, Wellington Region, New Zealand After finishing my industrial design degree and Victoria University I won a scholarship to go and work at Weta for ten weeks, this turned into a more long-term role as a general technician. During this time, I worked in many different departments including design, CAD modeling, 3D printing, laser cutting, miniatures, model making, urethane casting, costume, and paint.