ARTFX TEAM
GILBERT KINER – CEO, School & Education Director
Graduate of audiovisual techniques, Gilbert Kiner is one of the pioneers of the special effects world in France. He began his career in the 80’s as an editor for Canal Plus. He then worked as special effects director at Mikros Image, where he developed the first special effects department, Medialab Technology and Mainstreet. For these studios, he supervised a number of commercials and feature films (Farinelli, Les Anges gardiens, Assassins, and others). He has spent a total of twenty years besides some of the greatest directors: Alain Resnais, Jean-Paul Goude, Jean-Baptiste Mondino, Mathieu Kassovitz, Bruno Dumont, Claire Denis, and Peter Greenaway to name a few. In 2004 he created ArtFx in order to share his passion and knowledge. He also co-founded and is an active member of the Network of Animation Film Schools (RECA).
JOAN DA SILVA – Managing director
Joan Da Silva was previously the director LISAA, a Paris-based school of animation and video games. In 1997, he founded the creative studio Artepict, a pioneer organization in animation and online video games. He then worked for the major players in the gaming industry, notably as a Producer for Ubisoft before becoming the Creative Director of the Finnish publisher Rovio, the creator of Angry Birds. Convinced that creative teams must constantly strive for innovation, he joined the French-Japanese group, SoftBank Robotics, in 2014 to manage their content and designs.
MARTINE CHARVIEZ – Associate Founder, Administrative and Financial Director & Business Manager
After studying marketing and advertising, Martine Charviez began in commercial advertising before going into the audiovisual sector. First in charge of post-production at Mikros Image, next for the Image Group, and then she was director of production for the M6 channel. She joined the Tribu studio in 2000, specializing in image creation and motion capture. Associate founder of ArtFX School, she is currently serves as Administrative and Financial Director and Business Manager.
CARINE POUSSOU – Director of Education
After studying Fine Arts and cultural project management, Carine Poussou began her audiovisual career at GTC Numérique. This experience allowed her to build detailed knowledge about film production. She was then charged with VFX production at Def2Shoot and Éclair studios, and collaborated on several feature films, like OSS 117: Le Caire, nid d’espions and La Môme. She also worked as a director of production at a publicity firm.
BRICE MAURIN – Video Game Program Director
A graduate of video game creation from Supinfogame, Brice Maurin has worked on different video game projects for Ubisoft, Cyanide and KTM Advance studios. Alongside his activities as independent game designer, he taught project management. Passionate about video games, martial arts and teaching, he helps students traverse pragmatic, playful and atypical experiences.
Gaëtan Blaise-Cazalet – Educational Program Director
Gaëtan Blaise-Cazalet graduated from an engineering school in computer & data sciences. He worked as a developer, software designer and project manager in the traditional computer and the online video game industries. He then worked as a freelancer for mobile gaming studios and communications companies, as well as virtual and augmented reality projects for major accounts. In his free time, he develops independent games, gives lectures and hosts a podcast where he explains the technical aspects of his job to the general public. Convinced that computing is a simple thing when it is explained correctly, he joined ArtFX as the head of the programming team, where he works daily to help the ArtFX community understand and love coding.
FRANCK BASSET – Educational Coordinator
After beginning a career in applied arts, Frank Basset studied digital design at L’Ecole Européenne Supérieure de l’Image (EESI). Today, he teaches drawing, graphic design and science-fiction cinema. Passionate about the language of cinematography, he is also a novelist.
SANDRINE HAUDUCOEUR – Production Director & Graduation Projects Supervisor
Following her studies in Fine and Decorative Arts, Sandrine Hauducoeur worked on animation films for five years with director Claude Copin at Exposure studio. She also worked on restoring films for Gaumont.
At the heart of several major Parisian studios (Ex-Machina, Sparx, Mac Guff Ligne, Moonscoop), she spent 15 years working as CG animator, production manager and first assistant director for a number of projects: advertisements, TV series, medium and feature length animation films like Igor and Titeuf, le film. Since 2009, she has been supervising the productions of graduating student films at ArtFX.
MARJA MACCOTTA – Production Coordinator
A video editing graduate from Insas (Brussels), Marja worked as a film editor before moving into production at Scope Pictures. Her encounter with Mikros then led her to visual effects. She learned about VFX coordinating while working on the film “KINGS”. Then, at Benuts in Brussels, she refined her skills during the production of fifteen feature-length movies and documentary films. Following that, she became a Line Producer and supported the development and production of music videos and tour videos for artists like Stromae, Bigflo & Oli, Shakira, NTM, etc. through Benuts About Music. She joined ArtFX school in September 2018 as production coordinator and project development teacher.
FLORENCE GUY – Coordinator
Completely self-taught, Florence Guy began her sculpting career at a very early age. She has participated in a number of exhibits and has created many art pieces for public collectives, associations and private individuals. She has received various awards and has commemorative sculptures in France and Germany. After she obtained her fine arts degree, she started teaching and leading sculpting, painting and drawing workshops in for the public and associations.
MARIE NAUDIN – Educational Assistant
Coming to us from the Paris region, Marie has a degree in Management Assistance and 9 years of experience. She has mainly worked in sales, but also as a receptionist and career counselor. Seeking to combine her assistant skills and the field of education, she enthusiastically joined ArtFX to support our teaching staff.
Solenn Gratien – Student services administration
PAULINE VARALDA – Administrative & financial assistance
Before joining our team, Pauline worked for 5 years serving people with disabilities or loss of autonomy. She completed her scientific baccalaureate at the school of second chances. Since August 2017, under a work-study contract with ArtFX, she has been simultaneously enriching her administrative and accounting skills while utilizing them to support the school’s various needs.
Agathe Turlotte – Responsible for Admissions
MARGOT GEOFFROY – Communications Manager
After completing studies in literature and journalism, Margot moved towards cultural milieu and has been working in this area for almost 10 years. In 2010, she was in charge of the communications projects for the International Festival for Documentary Photography, ImageSingulières, in Sète. Passionate about visual arts and photography, she continued her professional career in cultural event communications in Montpellier (Montpellier Danse, Tropisme Festival, International Guitar Festival, etc.). In July 2017, she joined ArtFX to coordinate its communications, and ensure its visibility and development on an international scale.
Marine Charny – Communications Manager
After studies in Information / Communication and Strategy of Cultural Development, Marine worked for the Irish Cultural Centre (the equivalent of French Institut) in Paris for over 4 years. She was in charge of national and international communications for this structure and she developed the cinema program and various cultural events such as screenings, meetings, festivals, open-air cinema screenings that were scheduled regularly. Then, she turned towards video production in an agency named Walter Films, which works with the major luxury houses worldwide. Since August 2019, she has been Margot Geoffroy’s maternity replacement in the Communications office.
Alice Vaisse – Communications Assistant
Alice graduated in June 2019 with an Information and Communications degree from Paul Valéry University in Montpellier. Since September 2019, she has been doing a work-study contract between the University of Paul Valéry and ArtFX school to prepare for a Masters degree in Digital Communications. In this way, she is developing and enriching her skills while advancing the development of ArtFX communications.
DANIELLE HARRELL – International Relations Manager & English teacher
A graduate of the University of Potsdam (SUNY), Danielle Harrell is a native English speaking American who has lived and worked in Boston, Massachusetts and Los Angeles, California, as a teacher, arts administrator, musician and professional fundraiser. Since 2010, Danielle has been teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) courses at ArtFX that provide students with a variety of techniques to improve their written and verbal communication skills. Thanks to her administrative and fundraising experiences, she is at ease managing a wide variety of professional relationships, handling confidential information, and leading local and long-distance group voyages. Danielle has a naturally insatiable curiosity, and working with people in and around the VFX field affords her the opportunity to explore the infinite world of possibilities within reality – and beyond.
VALENTIN DROUET – Audiovisual & Equipment Manager
Trained in the visual arts and staging at the ESEC in Paris, then on the sets of many films, commercials and music videos, Valentin manages the audiovisual equipment at ArtFX and trains students around the professional way to use these tools. He also oversees the management of film sets, green screen backgrounds, photo studios, and works closely with students during their final year in the preparation of their graduation projects.
AXEL AÏXA – IT Manager
After specializing in networks and telecommunications at Montpellier II University, Axel trained in new technologies while working in various public and private structures such as Orange, Pôle Emploi or the Research Institute for Development. In charge of IT support for ArtFX, he ensures the proper functioning of the infrastructure and supports the students as well as the teaching and administrative team in their use of the many tools made available by the school.
CHRISTOPHE SELLIER – Facilities Manager
Christophe was previously the manager of an event company FC Evénements and a general manager for several companies including the 24h du Mans, Le Grand Palais, etc. He joined ArtFX to manage the school’s buildings.
Jean-Luc Charinet – Facilities Manager
Jean-Luc worked for many years in the automotive industry before setting up his own building renovation company. He joined ArtFX in August 2019.
Fred Audouard – Level design teacher
After finishing a Master’s degree in Performing Arts, Computer Graphics and Webdesign training, Fred Audouard graduated as a media designer & multimedia writer from the University of Montpellier. He has been working in the video game industry since 2005. He was a Level Designer for UbiPicture, the precursor Ubisoft, from 2006 to 2012. He collaborated on projects such as Rayman versus Raving Rabbids, Rabbits Go Home, ZombieU, etc. In 2013, he joined JD Studio in Montpellier where he held the position of Lead Designer for more than 3 years. Since July 2016, he has been working at Moonycat Entertainment as a Game Designer and Level Designer. At ArtFX, he teaches Level Design to students in the Video Game section.
GUILLAUME BENOIT – Game Design teacher
Former Head of Departement Game Design at DSK Rubika Supinfogam (India), Guillaume Benoit, has a Masters in Game Design from Supinfogame (Valenciennes) and has worked as a producer for video game publishers and as a freelance Game Designer for social games, serious games and around gamification techniques.
Mixing theories with playful experiments, he teaches game design and subjects related to game development: creativity, game analysis, game and players’ theories, and the history of games. He is also responsible courses related to project management (lectures, documentation, tools, processes and workshops).
Clement Bigot – Artistic Development
A graduate of Arts Décoratifs from Paris, in recent years Clément has been associated with the world of performing arts and audiovisual animation. It was through his work on the show ROBOT! by choreographer Blanca Li that he experimented with humanoid robot animation. He then joined Softbank Robotics in Paris as a robot animator before becoming an Interaction Designer. After three years of moving between France and Japan, animating the Japanese robot Pepper, he spent three years in California as Content Director for the American branch of Softbank Robotics. He now writes interactive scripts for the company Realcast, designing virtual tours and didactic experiences in mixed-reality environments (HoloLens). In charge of Creative Development, Clément joined the ArtFX team in 2019 to share his passion for the unexpected and his love of creative disciplines.
JOANA BOULAY – Artistic Development, Art Medium, Figure & Perspective Drawing teacher
Joana Boulay started drawing at a very young age. After studying applied arts and cinema, she turned her focus towards professional makeup techniques. She then specialized in the art of special effects makeup and applied her knowledge and know-how on projects based in France and abroad. Simultaneously, she conducted workshops in many schools on the theme of cinema, radio and cooperative games. At ArtFX, Joana teaches artistic development, the principle of color as a medium, the study of figure and perspective drawing and offers lectures on the theme of makeup special effects.
Eric Delacour – 3D, compositing & photography teacher
Graduation Film Supervisor
With his initial training in fine arts, nothing foreshadowed his 20+ year journey within the CGI world. Self-taught, he began working as a 2D / 3D graphic designer in 1993, then as a 3D artist with Maya in 1999 at Antefilms, mainly on children’s projects (Funky Cops series, Code Lyoko, Teletoon and Cartoon Network, etc.). He then joined 3D studio in Paris, and decided to leave France for Asia in 2004. He worked for 12 years in Asia as a 3D / VFX supervisor on multiple international film projects (Wong Kar-wai, Jackie Chan, etc. ), commercials (Lego and Disney), music videos, etc. Still passionate about images, he maintains his connection to his initial studies through fine art photography.
JÉRÔME DURAUD – 2D & 3D Animation, Rigging teacher
Graduation Film Supervisor
Trained in visual arts and then traditional animation, Jérôme Duraud has worked as an Animator, Character Animator and Animation Supervisor in a number of studios: Def2shoot, Sparx Animation Studios, Action Synthèse, 737 Shaker (Espagne) and Oniria Pictures (Luxembourg). During his 12 or so years of professional experience, he has collaborated on the creation of several feature length animation films (Yonayona Pengin, Renart the Fox, Mickey’s Twice Upon a Christmas), as well as a TV series (Le Manège enchanté), short films, web series, advertisements, music videos, etc.
CECE HELGESEN – Faculty Advisor, international Classes & English teacher
Since her arrival in Europe from New York City in 2002, Cece has been a teacher of English, using over 10 years of experience as a production and promotion director in the US to develop courses focused on developing creativity and sensorial expression, professional skills and understanding of anglophone culture and history and their impact on cinema. Cece holds a bachelor’s in French and a master’s in Urban Planning from the University of Michigan and has worked in the fields of high-tech, concert production and urban design.
ANDERS LAZARET – Character Design & Speed Painting teacher
Self-taught, Anders Lazaret is an illustrator and polymath. He works on editorial illustrations, concept art, book and CD illustrations, etc. He is also the author of comic books published by Mythos Comics (USA). His influences: Andreas, Alberto Breccia and Bill Sienkiewicz.
Mathieu Rondet – FX, Houdini Teacher
Mathieu Sancho – Game Art & Concept Art Teacher
From the earliest moments in his childhood, Mathieu would pause his TV set to trace and redraw the sprites from his favorite video games. Afterwards, he pursued a educational program focused on visual & applied arts. His holidays were punctuated by seasons of training and BAFA animation during which he nourished his keen sense for pedagogy and social sciences. A quick passage through printing gave him the necessary foundation to start his 10-year career in video game production. During this time, he had the chance to collaborate with CEOs and prestigious clients: Nintendo, Square Enix Collective, TF1, M6, Moonscoop, Partouche, Roche, Magnifico Production, Make a Wish, Daily Motion, French Games, etc. Completely seduced and convinced by the philosophy of ArtFX, Mathieu joined the teaching team in September 2018 to teach concept art to the Video Game and Digital Director students.
ANTONIN SEYDOUX – Compositing teacher
Graduation Film Supervisor
After working for the Duboi group, Antonin Seydoux joined the Mac Guff Ligne studio in 1998. Until 2010, he worked as a VFX Compositing and Supervisor graphic designer on a hundred advertising and film projects. After the acquisition of the studio by Universal Picture, he oversees the Compositing Department of animated films Despicable Me and Le Lorax. Then from 2012 to 2015, he held the position of co-supervisor general of the movie The Minions. He currently supervises the graduation films department at ArtFX.
MATHIEU ARCÉ – Compositing & 3D teacher
Graduate from ArtFX in 2008, Mathieu started working during his last year of studies for Movematchers (a subcontractor of Mikros Image and Dubois studios) as a Tracking artist. He worked on the film projects Faubourg 36, La chambre des morts, music videos for Madonna or Justin Timberlake, commercials, etc. After his graduation, he was hired at Forêt Bleue as a Flame Graphic Designer and semi-generalist (3D/Compo/Tracking), then as a VFX supervisor and graphic designer. In 2013, he created an satellite studio for Forêt Bleue in Montpellier and worked on, among other things, the feature film Minuscule. In 2014, he founded Phantom Studio with two associates, including another former ArtFX student, David Rousseau. The studio offers mainly architectural visualization and some VFX. Since 2016, he has been freelancing and producing VFX via Blast Production.
LAURENT BRU – Storyboard teacher
Trained at CNBDI in Angoulème, Laurent Bru specialized early on in animation and live-action filming. For nearly fifteen years the strokes of his pencil have been used in pre-production studios like Futurikon, 2 minutes, Sip animation, Téléimages kids, Cyber Group studios, Dupuis audiovisual, etc. He also intermittently teaches, in private and public institutions, that well organized scenography leads to better results.
SANDRINE CALVET – Photography teacher
Passionate about visual art, Sandrine Calvet is an audiovisual graduate. She is self taught and trained in acting, photography and coaching techniques. She began her career as a photographer in photo reporting events and as a self-portraitist, but also as a model for a hundred artists. Today she freelances as a photographer, performer and speaking coach. His favorite fields are: photo essays, portraitures, staging and authored work.
JULIEN CHATEAU – 3D, Maya teacher
After studying alternately at ITECOM and AutreChose, Julien Chateau developed his CG generalist profile in search of ever more varied projects at studios like Antefilms, Ubisoft, Def2shoot, LaBooteek, etc.. Subsequently his passion for video games led him to development tools and engines such as UDK or Unity. Today, he teaches ArtFx students the techniques that are readily used in major studios.
BASTIEN CHEVAL – Animation & VFX teacher
A doctor in film studies trained at the Paul Valéry University of Montpellier, Bastien Cheval is a researcher specializing in animation cinema. He decides to devote himself to theory and supports a thesis on the links between animation and reality at the end of 2014. Since then, he has been working with art schools to teach the history and aesthetics of cinema. by image.
He is also editor for the Planet-Youth website, a database dedicated to distributed animation in France, podcaster for the program Animasphère and musical columnist for the webzine The G-Spots.
BENOÎT COSSE – Anatomy & Sculpting teacher
Jean-Louis Crudenaire – Creative drawing
Stéphane Granger – Art History
PHILIPPE GRIVOT – 2D Animation teacher
Self-taught, Philippe Grivot developed his skills during the ‘2D’ era. He has perfected his abilities in story lay-out and 2D animation by working on various types of projects: TV series, feature films, CD-ROM, etc. in studios like Jingle, IDDH, Story, La Fabrique, Praxinos, Folimage and others. Since 2008, he has been intervening and teaching 2D animation during workshops and theory based on his 20 years of experience.
Miles Hall – Figure Drawing
Born in Australia, Miles Hall is a contemporary painter who likewise teaches at MO.CO.ESBA. Working in a number of processes, Hall’s work explores the sensuality of colour, gesture and the materiality of painting. The role of drawing remains fundamental to his practice. His work appears in a number of public and private collections in France and abroad. A graduate of l’Ecole des Beaux-Arts de Montpellier, Miles also holds a PhD from Queensland College of Art, Brisbane, Australia.
Michael Haussmann – Pipeline teacher
Marc Lambert – Drawing, Anatomy, Figure teacher
Kevin Lieber – Concept Art, Color & Light teacher
AURÉLIEN MARINI – Sound Design teacher
Self-taught, Aurélien Marini is a composer, arranger, sound designer and producer. Since 2008, he has led the 2C Studio which is a composition and sound design studio as well as a production and editing society. With the help of his team, he has developed a variety of creative and technical works within numerous sectors: audiovisual (AB Groupe, Tia Productions, etc.), video games (Nintendo), music industry (Hemiola Music, Nickel Music, etc.), multimedia (Partouche) and performing arts.
Manuel Martin – 3D, Game Art teacher
FAnny Meeschaert – Scenario teacher
VIKTOR MILETIC – Film Editing & Screenwriting teacher
Graduate of Cours Florent, Viktor Miletic has a degree in Cinema and Theatrical Arts, and attended screenwriting master classes led by consultant John Truby. Starting off as an actor, Viktor then moved to directing and has edited a number of films. He has also written several Shorts, a medium-length film and an animation series. Recently, he has been working on a few personal fiction projects.
Florent Mounier – 2D Animation, Concept Art
Christophe Petit – Rigging teacher
Bruno Pierron – 3D, UE4 teacher
Olivier Ruillard – Concept Art, Color & Light teacher
MARC SARDA – Cinema Culture teacher
Passionate about cinema, literature and mathematics, Marc Sarda has a Master’s Degree in Mathematics and has worked as a teacher of higher education for the past nine years. Education, for him, is the practice of continual research and improvement in order to stimulate students’ critical thinking, personal work and curiosity.
Nathalie Travato – English Communication teacher
After studying foreign languages and history of art at the University of Aix-en-Provence, Nathalie Trovato spent many years between Ireland, England and the Middle East. Back in France she was an English teacher and head of international exchange at Nice School of Fine Arts – Villa Arson. This is where her practice of drawing and engraving developed, leading to the production of illustrations for various publishers. In 2008, she moved to New York with her family. She spent 10 years over there teaching French at the International School in Brooklyn, getting involved in the design and publishing of artists’ books, and working on youth publishing projects. She now lives in Montpellier and wants to share the wealth of her international experience and continue to nurture her passion for languages and art with the students of Artfx.
