Framestore VFX studio has partnered with Campus ADN to launch the Launchpad: PRO initiative, starting in Montréal. With a view to encourage the growth of Montreal’s VFX community, the VFX studio will offer free courses focusing on 2D skills.
Framestore is known for its VFX work in blockbusters like The Legend of Tarzan, The Martian, Everest and so on. The series of Launchpad: PRO courses, starting in October 2016, have been developed to train students in industry-standard skills and are free of charge for the selected students.
The program, developed by Montreal’s Campus ADN, will be led by senior compositor Simon Pierre Puech, an appointed Framestore training supervisor. Across three months, Simon will provide hands-on training to encourage students to be employment ready.
This initiative will ensure that candidates with aptitude are given high-level and relevant training, equipping them for employment within VFX. By training students in the application of artistry as well as in the specific competencies expected within a junior role, the courses will act as an accelerator for students.
To qualify, applicants need to have an awareness of the VFX industry and a good basic knowledge of Nuke. Those who pass the course will be offered a contract for an entry level role within Framestore.
Based in Montréal since 2013 with an initial team of just 20, the VFX facility now boasts around 300 employees, with plans to expand even further since taking on exclusive Montréal-based projects, including the upcoming Blade Runner prequel.
Framestore has collaborated with Campus ADN in this training partnership. Campus ADN has a track record of designing and running highly successful, vocational training within the games and digital media sector.
ADN, coordinator at campus, Isabelle Marazzani commented, “We’ve been hearing about the rising demand for artists locally for a while now and we are excited about this joint venture enabling us to provide real-world training within a highly specialised industry field. We are confident that Framestore will attract those with a real passion for working within the industry.”
Framestore, film, global joint MD, Matt Fox said, “The BCTQ’s recently published workforce study on VFX and animation in Quebec highlights the ‘need to structure a continuing training offer aimed at developing the ability of companies to maintain world-class expertise’ and in our Montreal course initiative we are leading the way in doing just that.”
