Spotlight on Our Stars: Meet Mirela and Ambrose!
NOVEMBER 8 2024
It’s not every day that an Italian sudo named Ambrosini and a Brazilian podcast star join forces, but in this month’s employee spotlight, we’re doing just that. We’re shining the light on Ambrose Challies and Mirela Sales Salge; two production powerhouses who keep the Cause and FX engine running smoothly, all while bringing a healthy dose of fun and flair to the studio. From perfecting workflows to sharing industry insights, their unique journeys make for an inspiring and entertaining read.
Mirela Sales Salge: The Glue that Holds Us Together
VFX Show Production Manager
Mirela’s journey with Cause and FX is started back in 2019. Joining us straight out of university, Mirela initially started with a generalist role but soon found her calling in production. “The first role didn’t work out, but I didn’t give up,” Mirela laughs, “but I kept in touch, and when a production opening came up, I was all in!”
Over time, Mirela climbed the ranks from Production Assistant to Coordinator and then returned to our ever-growing family as a VFX Show Production Manager. Reflecting on her journey, she says, “It’s incredible to see how much we’ve evolved, when I returned, we had grown from 15 to over 60 team members in just 1.5 years.”
What does Mirela love most about Cause and FX? “I love how dedicated we are to improvement,” she shares. “We’re always finding ways to adapt and enhance our processes. It’s never perfect, but we’re committed to getting there.
She describes herself as the “mortar holding the creative bricks together,” embodying our core values of collaboration and continuous growth. Bringing the attitude of “we dare to make it happen” Mirela sees this shine through in everything the Cause team do.
Want to dive deeper into Mirela’s world? Check out her podcast in Brazilian, where she talks about her experience on Avatar 2 here.
Ambrose Challies: Our Very Own Ambrosini
Show Production Manager
Ambrose, or “Ambrosini” as he’s now known as around the office, has been a driving force in our production team since 2021. Starting as a Junior VFX Coordinator, he’s worked his way up to Show Production Manager, even joining the Senior Leadership Team along the way.
Ambrose has faced some serious challenges, especially managing the transition from overseeing 15 artists to coordinating up to 80 during the Twisted Metal project. “We were constantly learning and adapting as a team,” he recalls. “It’s the evolving nature of our work and the supportive culture here that keep things exciting.”
His “dad jokes” and way he ‘radiates positive energy’ make him a team favourite. What does he love the most? “The culture of Cause and FX, it’s like our north star. Our team challenge you to be better, and you can always learn from them.”
Ambrose is passionate about the future. “I’m looking forward to connecting Cause and FX with people who push the boundaries of VFX and storytelling. Growth and innovation are at the heart of what we do, and I’m excited to be part of that journey.”
Our Secret Sauce? It’s people like these two. Mirela and Ambrose are prime examples of the talent and spirit that define Cause and FX. From learning the ropes to taking on leadership roles, their stories are about more than just career progression—they’re about making a difference.
Want to learn more about how we bring VFX magic to life or think you have what it takes to join our team? Drop us a line, and let’s make it happen!
