Smoke & Mirrors new duo boost production team

High-end London post-production company Smoke & Mirrors (S&M) have attracted the talents of two of London’s leading Flame artists, and added a new producer to boost its in-house production team.
Joining S&M’s Flame line up are Tony Lawrence and Hani AlYousif, who each have over a decade’s expertise in high-end compositing and visual effects. They are joined in production by Pierre Fletcher – a commercials editor for the last nine years.
Tony Lawrence will join S&M from May 2002 as a senior Inferno artist. He is known for his effects work on commercials by Tony Kaye, music videos for Robbie Williams and George Michael, and film work for Danny Boyle. As one of the co-founders of Clear Post Production, and previously of innovative independent post outfit Brewers, he has worked on numerous award-winning projects, most notably Robbie Williams’ 'Rock DJ' and 'Supreme'.
Penny Verbe, Facilities Director at S&M, said: "We're very excited about Tony joining us at Smoke & Mirrors. His expertise and enviable creative credentials a will further strengthen our Flame team. We look forward to producing more of the high quality, trailblazing work for which he and S&M are both renowned."
Hani AlYousif has joined the company as a senior Inferno artist. He has a wide range of experience and expertise acquired from his time at Framestore, Discreet Logic and Mill Film. While at The Mill, he was responsible for creating visual effects for several major feature films including the Oscar-winning 'Gladiator', 'Harry Potter and The Philosopher's Stone' and 'Black Hawk Down'.
Hani composited all the fighting tiger shots for 'Gladiator' as well as the Emperor’s return to Rome, working closely with director Ridley Scott and John Matthieson, the Director of Photography, to finalise grading in the digital effects. He was responsible for the design and set up of the helicopter crashes and smoke trails in 'Black Hawk Down'. For 'Harry Potter' he worked on the Great Room with its floating candles and magical ceiling.
Pierre Fletcher joins S&M’s production team as a producer on April 8. Having spent the last nine years as a commercials editor, initially at Picture Post, followed by a stint at Ruthless and most recently at The Firm, he has cut for leading directors Frederic Planchon, David Kellogg, Nicholas Barker, Rene Eller and Martha Fiennes among others.
S&M, www.smoke-mirrors.co.uk
(GMcG)