Behind the Evolution of Freak: Framestore’s Academy Award-Winning Rendering Ecosystem
2026 marks Framestore’s fourth SciTech Award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, recognising the studio’s proprietary rendering ecosystem, Freak. Specifically honored with the accolade is the system’s integrated Layered Shading System, a pioneering framework that has transformed the studio’s approach to material authoring. Recognised on the award are the system’s primary architects: Framestore’s Head of Lighting and Rendering Technology, Josh Bainbridge, and Head of Software, Nathan Walster.
The concept for the Layered Shading System first emerged in 2013, following Framestore’s Oscar-winning work on Gravity. At the time, VFX artists relied on bespoke shaders — purpose built code for each specific surface, like the metallic sheen of a spaceship or the slight translucence of human skin. It was a rigid workflow, requiring Walster and the team to spend hours coding each time a new material was needed.
“Gravity had really challenged us when it came to making materials feel more physical and realistic,” explains Nathan Walster. “We actually had physical space shuttle tiles from the film in our London studio. Seeing those up close made us question what they were really made of. It became less about what colour it was or how shiny, and more about the fundamental physical properties. That pushed how we thought about materials to the next level, and we began to move towards representing them as shaders.”
The Layered Shading System was envisioned as a way to put creative control back into the hands of the artists, by building a comprehensive toolbox of nodes that could be plugged together to create new materials. Equipped with the new system, artists could now intuitively construct complex surfaces that behaved exactly as they would in the real world, ensuring physical accuracy regardless of the lighting environment or weather conditions of a scene.
“Whether working at the size of a teacup or a vast cityscape, we wanted the artists themselves to be able to author the materials and express their composition,” says Josh Bainbridge. “Freak is the engine behind the incredible images we produce, and the Layered Shading System is the framework that allows us to be responsive to the needs of our clients.”
The system’s first significant test came in 2014 with Marvel Studios’ Guardians of the Galaxy. Framestore was tasked with building the sprawling city of Knowhere, housed within the giant skull of a celestial being.
“It was fascinating how many different layers of materials were required across this city,” recalls Walster. “There were millions of tiny buildings and structures all covered in different materials, with pollution and spaceships whizzing around. That iconic sequence where the ship flies into Knowhere is a perfect example of what can be achieved when artists are in control of shaders.”
In the decade since its debut, the Layered Shading System has brought to life the vast majority of Framestore’s film and episodic work. From the photorealistic creatures of Prehistoric Planet: Ice Age and the tactile fur of Paddington to the high-octance racecars of F1.
“Layered shading has been the north star for how we think about materials and the visual identity of our assets,” Bainbridge notes. “Shading and rendering at Framestore is always about supporting the artists. The workflows will change and evolve, but by maintaining control over the entire stack, we ensure that our technology evolves alongside the creative ambition of our filmmakers.”
Congratulations to Josh Bainbridge and Nathan Walster on their Scientific and Technical Award, and to the entire software and shading departments at Framestore who have supported the development of Freak and the Layered Shading System.
The 2026 Scientific and Technical Awards, presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, will take place on April 28, 2026, at the Academy Museum.