Work Hard, Play Harder: The Covert Retreat

The Covert team has just returned from a rather gorgeous retreat at Insta-worthy Fair Oak Farm, where their crew gathered to connect, unwind, and recharge in the rolling British countryside (as well as sink a fair few pints, of course). In true Covert fashion, the annual retreat embodied the studio's core values of being Hungry, Humble, and Human - showcasing the people-first ethos that sets Covert apart in the VFX and post-production world. Stale Pizza Parties just aren’t their vibe

For a remote-first studio like Covert, opportunities to meet face-to-face can be rare, but very-much cherished. Over the course of a few crisp winter days, the team swapped their story-boards and screens for pool tables, yoga mats, and slap-up breakfasts (as well as an old-school 80’s movies binge in the barn cinema!) embracing the chance to strengthen their bond while celebrating the absolute creative magic they make together.

And it wasn’t a typical day-long, cheesy, team-building corporate day where afterwards you’re keen to lock yourselves away for some TikTok time, turning the Work Whatsapp group on silent - the rather keen Slack feedback speaks for itself:

"Seeing all your brilliant, ridiculous faces IRL (instead of Zoom/Google) was a damn treat," said Nick Litwinko, Covert’s U.S.-based Executive Producer. "Covert proved once again why this team is the GOAT. Can’t wait to make more magic (and maybe some mischief) together. Love you lunatics."

The retreat was particularly meaningful for Morteza Parsadan, the talented Iranian artist Covert recently sponsored earlier this year (check the archives for all the info on this!). Reflecting on the experience, he shared: "Guys, it was such an amazing feel seeing you in person. I can’t express how grateful I am now being friends with such lovely people. I already miss you, and it was a great time these last couple of days. Hope to see you more often soon."

...the retreat wasn’t just a break from the day-to-day - it was evidently a chance to genuinely reconnect with the people who make Covert what it is: a collective of passionate, talented individuals who truly embody the studio’s ethos.

With a large bulk of Covert’s international team in attendance, the retreat was also a brilliant reminder of the studio's global reach and its tight-knit culture. Despite being spread across countries and time zones, the Covert team came together as ‘one’ (very zen), reinforcing the unique blend of collaboration, creativity, and camaraderie that fuels their ground-breaking and visually beautiful work. Every moment at Fair Oak Farm underscored what makes Covert special: the people. 

As Covert continues to push boundaries in the VFX and post-production world, the retreat stands as a testament to their belief that creativity thrives when people feel connected, supported, and inspired. It’s not just about the work - it’s about the team behind it. Where to next??