Establishing Sustainable, Insight Led Management for a Global Creative Studio

March 2026

A consultancy led approach that strengthened strategic decision making, improved predictability, and aligned long-term strategy with the realities of a fast-moving visual effects pipeline.

Challenge

ILPVFX needed a clearer, more informed way to navigate software ecosystems across multiple regions and production teams. Their environment had expanded rapidly, and the studio required expert guidance on licensing structures, product options, and industry-specific workflows to build a sustainable model that supported both day-to-day production and long-term planning.

Solution

NTI delivered a strategic consultancy built on extensive industry knowledge and a strong relationship with Autodesk’s Media & Entertainment team, as well as deep insight into Adobe and other key software manufacturers. The consultancy focused on clarifying best practice approaches. This advisory partnership enabled ILPVFX to shape a technology structure that reflected their production workflows and scaling patterns.

Results

ILPVFX now benefits from ongoing insight into vendor policies, software updates, and industry best practice. This gives the studio greater confidence in planning, strengthens vendor relationship management, and supports a framework that reflects how modern VFX teams operate globally. This continuous flow of relevant, contextual information helps ILPVFX stay ahead of changes that impact their artists, pipelines, and production schedules.

Keeping pace with production demands

As Important Looking Pirates FX (ILPVFX) expanded their international footprint, the studio’s software environment grew just as quickly. Teams scaled up and down based on production cycles, and more than 380 licences across Maya, MotionBuilder, Mudbox, and Arnold needed to adapt seamlessly to changing workloads.

The process worked, but it didn’t provide the agility or insight needed for quick, well-informed decisions in a fastmoving VFX landscape. ILPVFX saw an opportunity to shift toward an approach that better reflected how modern teams operate, from pipeline driven asset sharing to seamless cross site collaboration. Partnering with an industry-specific consultancy marked the start of a more adaptable and insight driven operational chapter.

A consultancy approach ready for growth

Before partnering with NTI, ILPVFX’s licensing decisions were shaped by the limited availability of advisors with a deep understanding of VFX production workflows. The studio needed a partner who understood the nuances of VFX workflows from asset sharing to cross site collaboration and how these realities influence software choices for both current and future needs.

NTI’s consultancy team stepped in to provide exactly that.

“Our goal was to give ILPVFX clarity and confidence. By applying deep industry knowledge, we consistently advise them as they scale their software needs in fast moving environment. We also provide an unbiased view on Autodesk and other vendors and act as the intermediary with the manufacturers to ensure the maximum benefit for ILPVFX.
— Matt Allen, Managing Director, NTI UK

“We acted as an extension of ILPVFX’s internal team — offering insight, not oversight. Every recommendation was grounded in how VFX studios work.”
— Matt Allen, Managing Director, NTI UK

This partnership gave ILPVFX the clarity they needed to plan effectively, scale confidently, and make decisions that support both creative output and operational stability.

The future: what this means for ILPVFX

ILPVFX now benefits from a strategy that is agile, scalable, and aligned with industry best practice. The studio is equipped to grow internationally while maintaining control, flexibility, and confidence in its software environment across Autodesk, Adobe, and other key vendors.

“NTI has been excellent in helping us navigate our Autodesk licensing. They understand how we work, how we scale, and what matters most to us. Their regular updates and clear, relevant insights have enabled us to make the best purchasing decisions for our needs. Their knowledge of our industry has been truly invaluable.”
— Christoffer Bing, Head of IT, Dream Machine FX

About the client

Important Looking Pirates VFX (ILPVFX), part of Dream Machine FX, is an international visual effects and digital animation studio recognised for delivering worldclass CGI and premium digital artistry. Founded in Stockholm in 2007 by artists committed to elevating the craft, ILPVFX has grown into an award-winning studio with teams operating across Sweden, Germany, and the UK.

With a diverse portfolio spanning film, episodic content, and immersive experiences, ILPVFX supports hundreds of artists and technical specialists who continually push the boundaries of creative and technical possibility. The studio is driven by a culture of innovation, collaboration, and a constant pursuit of exceptional visual storytelling.

Want to know more?

Autodesk Maya

Maya is a high-end 3D software developed by Autodesk, widely used by creators around the world to produce realistic characters and special effects.

Autodesk Arnold

Arnold is a high-performance Monte Carlo ray-tracing renderer built for creating realistic 3D characters, photorealistic textures, and complex scenes. Trusted in film, TV, gaming, and design visualisation, it delivers stunning results with speed and precision.

Flow Production Tracking

Flow Production Tracking is a production management and review toolset for VFX, animation and games teams. It is equipped to handle creative production tracking needs, allowing teams and studios of any size to focus on the things that matter.

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Lee Phillips

Sales Director

+44 1483 410375