Ten Years of The Orphanage
Wednesday, February 4, 2009 at 8:00PM 
Today I had the heart-wrenching task of joining my co-founders Scott Stewart and Jonathan Rothbart in announcing that The Orphanage will be suspending operations indefinitely. We started the company ten years ago, tripled in size each year for our first three years, and worked on some of the biggest and best effects movies made. We produced shorts and even features, we spawned a commercial division and an animation company, and we hung out in the halls with Frank Miller, Ethan Hawke, and M.C. Hammer. We did DI before it was called DI, we gave birth to Magic Bullet, and we did really, really good work.
But that's not what matters the most.
It's no accident that our company's name described a place for people, people who may be thrown together, but who ultimately create their own destinies. Scott once described his vision of an orphanage as "a hundred success stories waiting to happen," and that is exactly what came to pass inside our offices. We have had the privilege of working with many "Orphans" over the years, and watching them grow and take on new responsibilities has been the single greatest part of coming to work every day.
A message to the visual effects industry: You will never find a better employee than a former Orphan.
And to the Orphans: It has been a privilege and an honor to work with you.
Reader Comments (142)
Darnit, Stu... this can't be happening. But I guess it is.
What next? There's got to be something bigger and better in the works somehow, right?
Please say "yes."
What does this mean for your blog Stu?
I've always wanted to be an Orphan. This is a sad day for all of us.
Man...
What led up to this sad day?
All the best to you in future endeavors!
I'm sorry to hear it Stu. Best of luck with whatever the future has in store for you.
Such sad news!
So sorry of the cosing of The Orphanage - Thank you Stu, Scott and everyone else associated with The Orphanage for all your excellent work over the years.
Best, to all, in the future.
Sorry to hear, Stu - thanks for the great times shared in the past and the excellent productions created by few and enjoyed by untold millions.
Best of luck to you and all Orphans
Stu, I'm sorry to hear this. The Orphanage produced stellar work. This is a sad day. :(
I just can't believe it. I wish you all the best. Is the animation division, with Gendy Tartakovsky and his team, also shutting down?
I am saddened to hear of this. The Orphanage was an inspiration to many young VFX students including myself...
It's a sad day indeed.
I learned so much working at the O.
Good luck with your future projects!
wow -sorry to hear this news...
it's the end of an era.
best of luck to all you Orphans in finding new homes where you can nurture your creative passions..
derek
I'm so sorry to hear this, Stu. Seeing all the comments here really shows how much you and your company meant to people. Wishing you well . . .
Like many people who have since moved on to other endeavors, I will always cherish my time at The O and all that I learned there. It was truly one of those "once in a lifetime" experiences that will probably never be replicated.
Good luck on all your future endeavors!
It is indeed a sad day. Stu and the gang, I know you guys will bounce back and wow us with something truly amazing. I enjoyed my time there with you and the crew as well as the wisdom you shared. Best of luck to all the orphans!
oh..no...
I can't believe this...
I'll miss the time when I've worked at the orphanage...
-momo
That's truly a bummer, Stu. I wish you the best of luck in the future. When I made the tough decision to close my company, it was no easy task. But I knew it was the right thing to do in order to grow. Onward and upward!
Stu,
Although we've not worked together since ILM, I've followed your progress since the day you started The Orphanage.
Although its a sad day that things are being suspended, I'm hopeful for your future. You, Scott and Jon are all talented artists and leaders in our industry and it will take more than a down turn in business to keep you guys down.
Here's to a brighter future, new opportunities and something great that can rise from this particular set of ashes.
Best of luck you you and to all Orphans.
Paul Griffin
After a nine year sentence in the Big House, The O was a perfect place to un-learn and re-learn. Thanks Stu and Jon for the great times.
As a former Orphan, this is very sad news. I'll always have great memories of working hard on great stuff, and the amazing people I worked with there.
Stu,
Thanks for all the good times.
I owe The Orphanage the start of my career and the opportunity of working with some of the best people in the field.
It will always be an honor to be an orphan.
y to hear this.
Congratulations on 10 great years, though!
To the partners and principals of The Orphanage, it is difficult to put into words... what a loss. Heart wrenching doesn't really describe it. I'm sure there are many more successes awaiting all of you. Congratulations on a decade of admirable work.
You're all too good not to be heard from again in the near future. Thanks for all the opportunities and everything I learned at 39 Mesa. I'll always be proud of all the work we did together.
Best of luck to everyone.
Since I read the news this morning I have been in shock.
Don't really know what to say except that I wish all the Orphans good luck and I can't wait to see what amazing VFX everyone creates in other endeavors.
Wish I could have been an Orphan.
Matt
I'm so sorry to hear this, and I hope %#$@ Red Cliff didn't leave you all in a pile of debt. BTW, we at SFD may be hiring soon (Santa Monica - 4K stereo - 3 VES Awards so far and nominated for a fourth), we've got a lot of bids out at the moment. Looking especially for a generalist, AE/Maya, etc., who'd like to be a CG/Comp supervisor in the not-too-distant future.
Call Jenn at 310-664-9115 or jenn@jennbastian.com
I will always be incredibly proud of the time I spent there. I hope everyone who leaves finds new ventures, and soon..please feel free to reach out to me to keep in touch either via linkedin or here.
Lea Hyke
Former Recruiting at "The O"
tadhyke@earthlink.net
Stu,
Thanks for everything--you opened my eyes to what film should be. Thanks to all the Orphans who made working at the O an adventure. Here's hoping to a new incarnation soon.
NN
Every time I've gone to work for the O it has boosted me up to the next level, my first theater release project, first time I used Nuke, First time I was put in a supervisor role. I know this was the same case for many. Thanks!
I have a lot of great friends there still and I wish everyone there the best.
JLC
Stu, wow...
Although I never worked there, knowing you through The DV Rebel's book, this blog, and the Rebel Cafe forum, I've come to respect you and everything you do.
Sincerely, a fan for life.
Wow. A real stunner and hope better things for all concerned.
Like a annoucement that Stu has been hired as "Rebel Filmmaking Consultant" to reinvent cameras and post :)
I always grateful for The O took the chance on me and gave me my first job in the industry.
I won't be here today if there wasn't The O.
Once an Orphan, always an Orphan~
Nooooo!!!
OH no! :(
Sad to hear this. My condolences, and best of luck to Stu and all the ex-Orphans in their future endeavors.
Best of luck everyone. Orphans are tough and talented. Something good lies ahead.
The Orphanage will spring back in one form or another - I know these guys and they are not quitters but fighthers and will resurge in one form or another .....Go Orphans !! Go go go ..
- Al.
This is horrible. I read it on my Blackberry @ 5:30am and could not go back to sleep. Luke, Ryan and Amy rock as well as everyone there! Best of luck! lkg :(
best job i ever had
Sad day.
I wish you the best of luck with all your future endeavors.
Good thoughts to all Orphans for a soft landing... I'm still energized by the time I spent there. Stu's "under the hood" attitude gave everyone license to try anything. Can't wait to work with Orphans on the outside.
WOW...very sad news. I was looking forward to coming up there and working this month.
Best of luck!
In the short few months I worked at the O. I was energized and inspired by the spirit of the company. It was unique, fast paced, brilliant and nimble as were the founders and all the Orphans. It is not the end, merely a reincarnation.
Sorry to read this, Stu. Best of luck to you and the other Orphans!
Along with many, I owe much to the once lively halls of that fantastic film building... that home to The O.
I ran across so many good minds and hearts there, and while the goals achieved were great in number, the greatest gift was camaraderie. Sadly the fellowship has been disbanded...
Many thanks to everyone there, and the best to all in these trying times.
Long live The O.
Dear Master Orphan Stu,
This is a sad day but life has a strange way to show what's the best for you. I am sure there is good coming ahead.
I will always cherish having worked at O and even in the freelancing world I am always proud to show what I have learned in my orphans days.
All the best and love to you all.
Diana H.
I'm honored to have been a part of it all. Thank you.
Holy O! Shocked and saddened. Thanks for allowing me to be part of a fantastic team of Talent. Hope to see The O, back up and running soon.
oh no... this made me sad.
I wish u all the best guys and have to say thank you for all the great work you put together at the O. It was a dream to be an orphan one day...
greetings from germany
It was an honor, an adventure and an education to work with you as well Stu. I was really heart broken to hear the news.