We exist to ignite creative vision

Who We Are

Founded by Ron Ames and Jesse Kobayashi, the Modern Film Consortium provides invaluable support for the creative and technical aspects of modern filmmaking. With a strong emphasis on innovation, the MFC promotes a holistic, cloud-based and intentional approach to production processes and infrastructure, ensuring a streamlined and cost-effective approach to the modern challenges of filmmaking.

Services

  • Outsource Executives

    Streamline creative vision with VFX and Production breakdowns, vetted methodologies, tailored staffing, seamless shot tracking, and a network of top-tier solution providers.

  • Use-Case Experts

    Bridging art and technology with expert guidance on innovative workflows, sustainable systems, and modern filmmaking strategies, tailored for every client and studio.

  • Consulting Producers

    Empowering filmmakers with tech-driven solutions, creative methodologies, budget-maximizing plans, and expert guidance to navigate modern filmmaking complexities.

  • Modern Educators

    Educating future filmmakers with real-world curriculum, targeted training, and interactive learning, bridging industry knowledge to vendors and tool-makers.

Ron Ames has been a filmmaker and storyteller for his whole career. He graduated from UCLA film school and studied theater at the Actors Studio with Lee Strasberg. He produced and directed television commercials in the golden age of advertising. From his first feature, Martin Scorcese’s, The Aviator to Amazon’s Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power, Ron has been at the forefront of modern filmmaking. As a First Assistant Director, Producer, VFX Producer, Post Production Supervisor and finally as a Producer of Film Technology, Ron has been involved in every phase of production.

From those pivotal roles, Ron’s expertise has been integral to more than 20 iconic productions. Noteworthy titles include Avatar, The Aviator, The Departed, Star Trek Into Darkness and Beyond, and Avengers: Age of Ultron.

Most recently Ron joined Amazon’s streamer Lord of the Rings, Rings of Power. Ron was charged with and developed the role of Producer of Technology. Ron produced all the technology departments from camera capture to final exhibition, including VFX, Post-production and Sound. In this role Ron was able to realize his dream of a unified, holistic approach to modern filmmaking. LOR has won the VES Award and is nominated for an HPA award and for an Emmy.

About Us

With more than twenty years in the Post and Visual Effects industries, Jesse managed the transition of dailies and digital intermediates from film to digital at both Laser Pacific and Warner Bros. post facilities. He then shifted into Visual Effects, taking on an executive role at Legendary Pictures, overseeing Visual Effects on over a dozen features and television shows.

As a client-side VFX Producer, Jesse has worked a diverse array of projects, including Krampus, Warcraft, and Pacific Rim: Uprising. In 2018, he ventured into the video gaming sector, taking on the role of Producer of Cinematics at Riot Games.

In 2020, Jesse joined Ron as VFX Producer of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. With a staggering 9,000 shots and nearly 9 hours of content, both professionals were dedicated to establishing a robust process. Their focus was on streamlining operations—emphasizing consolidated metadata, fostering seamless inter-departmental collaboration, and ensuring a healthy work-life balance—all while ensuring timely and budget-conscious delivery.

News

  • For “Cowgirls on the Moon,” the Workflow’s in the Cloud

    A high-concept sci-fi movie trailer made using modern cloud computing showcases a raft of new filmmaking technologies from virtual production and cloud rendering to generative AI.

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  • Microsoft / Blackmagic Resolve

    CoPilot+PC and Blackmagic’s DaVinci Resolve Announcement Video

    Watch here

  • Post Perspective / Cloud Workflows and VFX

    How embracing cloud-based workflows allowed for the delivery of Amazon Studio’s The Rings of Power

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  • ARRI / Modern Cinematography

    Watch an exclusive, in-depth BTS featurette about Amazon’s “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power,” analyzing the cinematography, VFX, lighting, and cloud-based workflow of a key sequence of season one: the eruption of Mount Doom.

    Watch here

  • How “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” Is Advancing Cloud-Based Collaboration

    Jesse Kobayashi, discussed how Blackmagic Design, Company 3 and AWS collaborated to create an entirely cloud-based infrastructure.

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  • Variety: DNEG Hires In-House Filmmakers

    Visual effects house DNEG has hired Emmy-nominated producers Ron Ames and Jesse Kobayashi as in-house filmmakers.

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  • NAB / Cloud Based Workflows

    How a global team of 1,500 artists collaborated virtually on “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power”

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  • Variety: The Making of Mordor

    Director Charlotte Brandstr￶om, cinematographer Alex Disenhof, producer Ron Ames and supervising sound editor Robbie Stambler break down the epic scene.

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  • LOTR Producers Helped Develop Blackmagic Cloud

    Raafi Rivero interviews producer Ron Ames and VFX producer Jesse Kobayashi for The Lord of The Rings: The Rings of Power. They reveal how early Blackmagic Cloud prototypes and technologies made the show possible and saved it during the pandemic.

    Watch here

  • NAB / Moving Middle Earth to the Cloud

    Producer Ron Ames discuses the fully cloud-based workflow for the first season of Amazon Prime Video’s “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.”

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Clients