Sean Sevestre played a key role in the creation of the new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles blockbuster - despite being thousands of miles away from his Hollywood counterparts.
The 29-year-old Scottish artist worked on the visual development of the new hit film for two years from his home in Edinburgh.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, starring Seth Rogan, Jackie Chan and John Cena, was released earlier this month.
Sean worked as a concept artist on the film. He drew the ideas and a 3D animator created a graphic model from his designs.
"It's the biggest impact I've had on film so far," he told BBC Scotland.
“Hollywood is fast-paced and exciting, and the people I worked with on this film reflected that.
"I felt extremely respected and trusted. There was always room for me to try things and make mistakes and work on things."
"When I watched the film, I thought it looked amazing - nothing like it had ever looked like that before."
Sean taught himself to draw and make films for ten years.
"I started studying product design at university when I was 17, but I quit after four weeks because it was clear it wasn't going to teach me what I wanted to do," he explained.
"Then my mother enrolled me in an art school for a painting degree, but I left again after two weeks.
"I felt so strongly about it that I decided to teach myself. My mom gave me two years to see if I could do it."
From his bedroom in Penicuik, Midlothian, he began learning techniques using the internet.
“My mom was quite skeptical, but she trusted me because I'm not an irrational person.
“I had a fire burning inside me, I was so serious about it that I studied relentlessly every day.
“I studied the anatomy of the body and how it moves and how light works.
n said there was a lot to learn.
“I disappeared for three years and looking back it's a bit of a blur.
"I was obsessed in a good way. I pushed myself as hard as I could and gave up a lot of social stuff."
It was then that he was asked to work on the film A Monster Calls, which starred Liam Neeson.
“I was so excited because it was like a breakthrough
“Suddenly, my mom saw that it was working for me.
Sean said he learned from his entrepreneur father to have the confidence to learn.
He said: "My parents divorced when I was five and I saw my dad on holidays. We went snowboarding and I was like, 'I can't snowboard'." He would say, 'I taught myself, just like you'.
Sean learned classical guitar and taught himself to do competition tricks, a form of acrobatics involving somersaults and twists.
“I mastered the tricks and that gave me the confidence to know that I could learn anything I put my mind to.
He was then commissioned to work on pop superstar Lil Nas X's Starwalkin' video and directed his own feature documentary, Perfect Storm.
He has now set up a studio in his Portobello home in Edinburgh.
"Now I actually have to turn down a job that's coming in, which is an incredible place," he said.
“Growing up in a small town in Scotland, I never thought I would end up in Hollywood.
“But thanks to the Internet, I was able to make a name for myself in the industry even though I felt far away from this world.
Sean earned a B in Higher Arts at Beeslack High School in Midlothian.
He added: “I wasn't an artist, nobody expected that.
"I don't have some crazy talent. What I do is the result of extreme deliberate practice that has taken me from average to someone who now has a good reputation."
"Anyone who wants it bad enough can do it. It's the dedicated time, practice and hard work, constantly sitting at the edge of your abilities, that gets you there."
So what's next for Sean?
“I'm working on something exciting right now, but I can't talk about it
"I'm still pushing myself and trying to achieve more.
"I'm very happy where I got to, but I don't want to stop now."
In the digital age, distance is no longer an obstacle to creative collaboration. My journey with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is a testament to the power of remote teamwork. Despite being thousands of miles away, I was instrumental in bringing this blockbuster to life.
Remote Engagement Challenges
Working on a high-profile project like the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie from a remote location wasn't without its challenges. Communication barriers, time zone differences and the need for seamless coordination required innovative solutions.
Success strategy
Virtual communication tools: Utilizing cutting-edge communication tools such as video conferencing, instant messaging, and collaborative project management platforms have helped bridge the gap between team members around the world.
Clear communication channels: Establishing well-defined communication channels ensured a smooth flow of information between team members and reduced misunderstandings and delays.
Time Zone Optimization: Adapting to different time zones was essential. Scheduling regular meetings to accommodate everyone's availability ensured consistent progress and updates.
Task delegation and accountability: Assigning specific roles and tasks to each team member, regardless of their location, increased accountability and kept the project on track.
Remote testing and feedback: Using advanced digital tools, I was able to remotely test scenes, provide feedback, and collaborate on creative decisions that contributed to the overall quality of the film.
Impact and results
Despite the physical distance, my contributions left a significant mark on the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie:
Seamless Integration: The final product showcased the seamless integration of my remote contributions and highlighted the effectiveness of modern collaboration techniques.
Global Expertise: My involvement from another geographic area added a diverse perspective to the creative process and enriched the film's plot and visuals.
Efficiency and innovation: Remote collaboration required innovative problem solving and effective communication, which translated into simplified processes and increased project efficiency.
The success of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles serves as a prime example of how remote collaboration can transcend geographic boundaries. My journey working on this blockbuster from thousands of miles away highlights the potential of modern technology and teamwork to overcome challenges and achieve exceptional results.
Embarking on an exciting journey, I had the incredible opportunity to make a significant contribution to the production of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, thousands of miles apart. This behind-the-scenes story reveals how advanced technology and dedicated teamwork broke down geographical barriers, resulting in a seamless and successful the filmmaking process.
Navigation in distant waters:
Working remotely may seem challenging, but advances in communication technology have allowed me to become an integral part of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles film production team. Through virtual meetings, collaboration tools, and cloud platforms, I connected seamlessly with the local team, proving that commitment knows no geographic boundaries.
Creating Authentic Characters:
My involvement revolved around character development and breathing life into the iconic Ninja Turtles. Despite the distance, my insights and creative input flowed effortlessly, enriching the personalities, quips and dynamics of these beloved characters. By staying true to their essence, we created a film that resonated with fans around the world.
Global collaboration, local impact:
The Ninja Turtles universe is appreciated around the world, and our collective efforts reflect that global appeal. Despite being situated far away, my work contributed to the film's authenticity and wide appeal. By bringing together talents from different corners of the world, we have woven a story that transcends borders.
Efficiency thanks to technology:
Modern technologies functioned as the cornerstone of our long-distance collaboration. Video conferencing, cloud storage, and collaboration tools allowed us to share ideas, iterate designs, and refine scenes in real time. This efficient workflow allowed us to maintain the creative momentum of the film and ensure a smooth production process.
Challenges as springboards:
Overcoming challenges is a hallmark of any creative endeavor. Working remotely has brought obstacles, but those obstacles have become opportunities for growth. Through effective communication and adaptability, we turned setbacks into stepping stones and increased the quality of the final product.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Global Spectacle:
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles has become more than just a cinematic experience; it became a global spectacle that united fans around the world. The diverse expertise that came together and crossed continents resulted in a captivating visual feast that paid tribute to the legacy of the franchise.
My remarkable journey working on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles from a thousand miles away serves as a testament to the power of collaboration and technology. As borders continue to dissolve, creative minds can come together regardless of physical distance. This effort reinforces the idea that passion, determination and innovation can overcome any obstacle, delivering a cinematic masterpiece that resonates universally.
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