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24 Interviews - Olivier Benamou
Olivier Benamou joined the crew of 24 during the show's third season as the principle graphics design artist. Since then he has created every computer image seen on the show! He talks here in a Second Wave Exclusive!
Second Wave: When did you start working on the show? Were you a fan before?
Olivier Benamou: I started on 24 in the middle of Season 3. No I was not really a fan, did not watch much TV back then but I thought the concept of 24 was very original.
OB: I have been doing computer animation and design for 15 years. Yes I love it. It is creative and very demanding but I do love what I do. I dont think I could work sometimes 15, 16 hours a day if i did not love my job.
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SW: Did you created the CTU desktop design and all the graphics that are seen at CTU? OB: The design and looks of CTU was created before I started. When I joined the design change a bit year after year. As far as creating it, Joseph Hodges (production designer) is the one who came up with it. Now we work together on ideas and concepts to get to the results you see. SW:What is your favourite moment of 24 and why? OB: I dont really have a favorite moment in 24. I would say that sometimes 70% of my work ends up on the cutting room floor (nature of the beast) so Every time my work ends up on the screen it becomes a favorite moment :) SW:How did you come about working on 24? OB: A friend of mine I have worked with called me up. He told me 24 was looking to expand their computer animation dept. I went in, interviewed, started that day. SW:What is it like working with such a talented cast? OB: Working with a talented cast means that you as a part of it have to bring your best game and keep it up. |
 Olivier Benamou |
OB: Very simple. Every time you see a computer monitor screen on 24, whteher it is CTU, the bad guys, the white house, you name it. everything that ends up on a computer screen starts in my office :) I treat the computer monitors as a character on 24. They tell a story. SW:You also helped to create the graphics for The Rookie, which is a spin-off from 24. How did you become involved in that?
OB: The Producers and the director of The Rookie wanted their graphic to be very 24 like. As a matter of fact a lot of people that work on 24 worked on the rookie, the graphics were somewhat different but stayed in the same flavor. So they came to me and asked me if I would do it, of course I said yes. It was fun. fast and a bit different. SW:Do you have any other projects you are working on? Or are you solely working with 24?
OB: I did the rookie 2 at the beginning of the year, but 24 is pretty much a full time job, When time permits I will work on commercial or even a feature. SW:One final question: if you met Jack Bauer, what would you say to him?
OB: What would I say to Jack Bauer?" I would ask him what he does on his day off:) Thank you very much, Mr. Benamou!
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