Timeline was my second job in Canada, but my first time working in Montreal — and the city absolutely blew me away. I loved it from the moment I arrived and it remains one of my favourite locations from that period of my career.

Directed by Richard Donner and starring Paul Walker, Gerard Butler, Frances O’Connor and Billy Connolly, the film was a large-scale medieval action adventure with plenty for the Special Effects department to get involved with.

I worked predominantly with the second unit, handling a mixture of pyrotechnics, fireballs, breakaway structures and medieval battle effects. There was a lot happening at once, often with multiple cameras.

The siege and battle sequences were particularly enjoyable — practical fire, destruction and mechanical effects all working alongside the stunt team to give the action some real scale and energy.

But when I think back on Timeline, I remember Montreal just as much as the film itself. It was my first experience of the city and I was completely taken with it — the atmosphere, the people, the restaurants and just the general feel of the place.

Another technically demanding job, but also another great location experience, and one that left me with a real affection for Montreal.