Central London-based post-production firm Envy is ploughing an extra £450,000 into expanding its Grading and 3D departments. As part of the process, it has also brought in Martin Allan from rival facility operation Prime Focus to be the group”s new head of animation/3D.

According to Envy, it is “extending the Grading Department with a 3rd Baselight to compliment our very busy shortform department. We have also invested in a Baselight Assist to help with the preparation for various projects and are also doubling the size of our Data Lab.”

As for Allan”s arrival, Envy managing director Dave Cadle said: “We are excited about Martin joining us. With his experience we want to grow our 3D/Animation department. We want to be in a position where there are at least 15 seats extra to look after our workflow.”

Envy is working hard to grow its talent-base from ground up. “We have a big team of talented youngsters eager to learn,” says facility director Natascha Cadle. “In the last 3 months we have been able to promote 15 runners to new positions within the company. Half of our company at present is home grown which is good news.”

While at Prime Focus, Allan was part of the team that set up animation studio Amazing Spectacles – doing work for brands like Sony PS3. Prior to that, his career included a nine-year stint in the 2D and 3D animation departments at Hibbert Ralph Animation and various freelance stints at Double Negative, Passion, and Loose Moose. His credits during this period included commercials for Samsung and Woolworths, idents for BBC Two, Five, ITV and the complete on-air branding package for AJ Jazeera’;s children’;s channel, Baraem.