Episode 8: Thomas Duvel & Morgan Hardy
Welcome to Behind the Pixels, an exclusive interview series that takes you on a captivating journey into the world of visual effects through the perspectives of our talented individuals. This week, we are delighted to highlight the collaboration between UFX Studios and Digital District through the work done on Loups-Garous (Family Pack). We met Thomas Duval and Morgan Hardy.
Could you briefly introduce your respective roles?
Morgan: I am a VFX supervisor at UFX Studios. My job involves overseeing the artistic direction of visual effects production and acting as the bridge between the studio’s teams of graphic artists and the film director.
Thomas: I am also a visual effects supervisor, but at Digital District. For Loups-Garous (Family Pack), I was one of the main points of contact for the production team and the director, assisting them from the planning stages to the final VFX. I was involved in the project from pre-production and I even went on set to supervise the VFX.
How does the collaboration between UFX and Digital District work?
Morgan: Loups-Garous was the first film to benefit from the collaboration between the two studios, and it was a significant project due to the scope of work involved.
Thomas: Indeed. The idea was to collaborate with a creative and efficient partner who shares our working philosophy at Digital District. UFX Studios is the ideal partner for us in Belgium. The collaboration was established through a partnership between the two companies.
How did you organize the division of responsibilities and tasks?
Thomas: There were many fascinating VFX works in the film. We divided the work so that everyone had interesting tasks and could deliver their best in their area.
Morgan: As Thomas mentioned, we first identified the shots requiring shared effects between the two studios, allowing us to set priorities accordingly. We then exchanged all the necessary information to ensure that everyone could work as efficiently as possible. At least once a week, we spent time discussing each shot to share perspectives and make necessary adjustments.
What are the challenges and advantages when collaborating on the same film?
Thomas: When working together, it’s crucial to be aware of each other’s challenges. Smooth communication between partners is key to keeping everyone informed, from the initial brief to the final delivery. Creating VFX means facing daily challenges!
Morgan: Collaboration significantly enhances our ability to deliver high-quality effects more quickly and on a larger scale. It also offers each team the chance to acquire new experiences, making the process highly enriching. Finally, being based in two different countries might actually be an advantage for a film production.
What did you learn from this collaboration?
Thomas: The value of fostering sharing, open dialogue, and the chance to connect with new teams in a positive and collaborative environment cannot be overstated. Building a strong relationship between our studios will pave the way for successful future projects.