“John is a boy with his head in the clouds…”

Or so his dad used to say. That, and "he's walking around with a head full of bloody magic!"

Nowadays he puts that head full of magic to good use, creating animations, motion graphics, vfx and video content for BAFTA award winning tv, film, live events and the web.

​Primarily working in the Adobe Suite, utilizing Trapcode, Red Giant and Element 3D plug-ins (amongst others, and with some Cinema 4D thrown in too) he's built a reputation as a reliable, fast working creative, and has been described as "a safe pair of hands with a pretty eye."

Showreel

Work

After a successful period of freelancing John spent 10 years at post production house Flix Facilities before setting up Head in the Clouds in early 2017.

​During his time at Flix he worked on a wide range of TV productions. From kids (Postman Pat SDS, Toby's Travelling Circus, The Furchester Hotel) to hard hitting documentaries (Crimes that shook Britain, Fred & Rose).

He also designed and created the opening titles for Little Explorers, My Team: The Cheerleaders and the BAFTA Award winning My Life and Old Jack's Boat.

​His work was integral to the BAFTA nominated Poppies and the multi award winning My Life episodes: Me, My Dad and his Kidney, I am Leo and Born to Vlog.

Since starting Head in the Clouds he has continued to produce vfx and animation sequences for TV, including World's Wildest Weather, World's Worst Flights, The One Pound Houses: Britain's Cheapest Street, My Life: Coming to Britain and Russell Howard & Mum: Globetrotters.

​Film projects include Shed of the Dead, Hunger Times, The Old Turk and Habit.

“Opening an email from John with his latest animation or graphics is one of my favourite moments of a production - the anticipation of seeing how he has worked his magic this time. We worked together on the BAFTA-winning  CBBC programme My Life: Me, My Dad & His Kidney and I will never forget seeing his animation for that for the first time. He has that magic ability to take even the most complicated information and transform it into something that just jumps out of the screen. As a freelance director John is my secret weapon and I love working with him as early as possible in a project as he always blows my mind with his ideas on how to bring things to life on screen. Just don’t go booking him up - I want to work with him soon!”

Helen Tither Freelance Producer/ Director

“We have commissioned John to work with us on a number of projects across the Trust. What John produces is fun, innovative and different to other companies out there. More importantly our children and parents love the final product too! We will definitely commission John for more things in the future. “

Sophie Murfin Executive Principal, Wise Owl Trust

“Head in the Clouds are great at what they do!  We have worked with John for many years on many projects and we have been impressed with the creativity and professionalism on every occasion.  Producing multiple films and graphics for several awards in multiple locations every year is a big undertaking but Head In The Clouds are easy to deal with, full of idea’s and always produce an excellent final result.  They’ve never let us down and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them”

 Katie Isaacson General Manager, Events. Reach plc

Animation

With an ability to adapt to a range of styles, John brings illustrations, artwork and character designs to life using 2D & 3D animation techniques. Projects include adverts, title sequences and animated characters for the likes of Old Jack’s Boat and The Dumping Ground. And he’s even blown up CG balloons for Tim Burton!

Motion Graphics

John has a long history of generating graphics for tv documentaries, corporate presentations, exhibitions and events. Illustrating sensitive content for kids in CBBC’s My Life, hard hitting facts in Channel 4’s Dispatches and the science behind the chaos in World’s Worst Weather, to name but a few. His work has also been used in electronic advertising, DVD menu design and projected onto screens in concert halls and arenas across the country.

VFX

Whether enhancing a shot through particle effects, keying and compositing actors into magical worlds, generating elements for character interaction or good old “fix it in post” clean up, John has a wealth of experience and relishes the challenges that each project entails. He’s made it snow in Greendale, over-run an allotment with zombies, taken Commando Joe to the gladiatorial arenas of Ancient Rome and helped one child sail around the world in a paper boat.

Video

John always works with a sensitivity for the subject matter and never needs an excuse to sprinkle a little cgi magic to enhance a story. Video projects include the prestigious Reach business awards across the north west of England & Wales, top secret mission briefings for Commando Joe’s and various school prospectus for the Wise Owl Trust.

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