od[force]: So you liked it that much?
As I understand you are (or were) a user of all the big 3: Maya, XSI, and Houdini.
Andy Boyd: I was bored with Maya - nothing had changed since version 3! XSI had rubbish scripting abilities and bad handling large scene. Houdini on the other hand was coming into its prime, new version every 6 months. Loads of development happing.

od[force]: and do you use all 3 now?
Andy Boyd: No, now I use Houdini 90% of the time and Maya for the rest. Depends on what I'm doing!

od[force]: Excellent! So, after 3 years at Glassworks you went to Framestore?
Andy Boyd: Well, I actually went to Mill Film for 6 months to work on the spiders for Harry Potter, when I realised that I prefer commercials so I moved to Framestore.
So, Digital Directions(3 years) > Glassworks (4years) > Mill film (6 months) > Framestore (4 years) > now in LA baby!!! Working at Method in Santa Monica

od[force]: That is great! It's nice that you mentioned the commercials vs. features because I was just going to ask that: you were almost always involved in commercials, and I see this was intentional. Many people think of features as being the nirvana of CGI, why do you like commercials more?
Andy Boyd: Commercials are more diverse, every 3 months you have new set of problem to solve. Also there is much more involvement in creating the job - being on shoots, filming techniques, direct contact with directors and agencies to help realise their visions.

od[force]: I agree with that. How involved is someone from Framestore or Method when a commercial is done? At which stage are you called?
Andy Boyd: From the very start, the directors and agencies make sure that it's all doable in time and budget before selling the idea to their client.

od[force]: And then you are consulted in the development of the script / concept?
Andy Boyd: No, it's more of what should be real, what's better done in 3D and how it should be filmed to work in post...