After nearly two decades at Rushes Post Production – the last three years as director of colour grading – Simone Grattarola has now joined VFX company Time Based Arts, to help establish a new colour grading department at the Shoreditch-based outfit. 

One of London's top colourists, Simone has been responsible for grading hundreds of music videos and commercials, his credits including Cheryl Cole's Parachute, Kings Of Leon's Supersoaker, Jessie J's Price Tag and Sam Smith's Money On My Mind - and having a regular client list of directors including Emil Nava, Henry Scholfield, W.I.Z. and AlexandLiane. Simone won a UK Music Video Award for Best Telecine in a Video in 2010 for his work on Biffy Clyro's God & Satan, and more recently he has gained a BAFTA nomination for his grading work on TV series Peaky Blinders.

Time Based Arts was set up six years ago by Flame artists James Allen and Mike Skrgatic, and has grown into one of London's leading VFX studios. Their recent work includes the Clio Award-winning spot for Vodafone Add Power, and Inner Beauty for Honda Civic, as well as promos including Paul Gore’s 'tryptich' for Paloma Faith last year, Beyonce's Grown Woman, Miike Snow's Animal, XX's Basic Space and, most recently Powell’s Sylvester Stallone, directed by Trevor Jackson, and released last week. 

Simone will be partnering with Mike and James in the growth of a new colour grading department to run alongside the VFX studio. "Seeing the guys' body of work, the team they’ve created, and the way they work together, is inspiring," says Simone. "For me the pull was to work alongside them to help in growing Time Based Arts to even greater heights. For me it’s a great opportunity to keep pushing myself as an artist and to be in a collective where we can build something unique."

Mike Skrgatic adds: “We’re made up to announce the arrival of Simone to Time Based Arts. The quality of his work speaks for itself; beautifully crafted images like his BAFTA nominated work on Peaky Blinders. More than that, his skills are very happily balanced with the fact that he’s just a great person to be around who’s knowledge and expertise is recognised by directors, DOPs and clients alike."

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