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Visual effects studio The Yard VFX, known for its work on many films and series (Indiana Jones 5, The Gray Man, Ford v Ferrari aka Le Mans ’66, Enola Holmes 2, WandaVision, John Wick 4, The Rings of Power – Season 2), has announced the opening of a branch in London.
This news might surprise some. The Yard VFX has been historically based in France, since its founding by Laurens Ehrmann in 2014 in Paris. More recently, in 2023, the studio added a branch in Montpellier, a city in the South of France that has become a dynamic hub in digital creation in recent years. Expanding internationally the following year wasn’t necessarily expected.
Moreover, London has faced a turbulent period since 2020: Brexit impacted London-based studios, prompting some to open branches on the continent, notably in Paris.
Laurens Ehrmann explains his strategy: he points out that London remains a key location for the VFX industry and that this expansion will strengthen ties with industry players based there. He also rightly emphasizes the “attractive fiscal programs in the UK for film and television.” This is a key point for international clients (the sharp drop in projects in Quebec after changes to its tax credit system serves as a bitter reminder).
Laurens Ehrmann sums up the announcement this way: “As in France, we will offer a full-service approach combining creative excellence and financial efficiency.”
However, The Yard VFX assures that this development does not undermine its plans in France. “I am convinced that we will create strong synergies between our studios in France and the UK, allowing our teams to continue working on the most prestigious projects,” insists Laurens Ehrmann.
The new London studio has now made it onto our list and map of studios, but the exact address will only be added at the end of the year, once the team moves into its permanent offices.
In the meantime, and while waiting for the first projects created in London by the The Yard VFX teams, here is the studio’s latest showreel.
