VENICE, CA — Rodeo FX (www.rodeofx.com), the visual effects studio with locations in Montreal and Quebec City, has opened a new office in Venice, CA. Rodeo FX has contributed visual effects to over 70 films, including Angelina Jolie’s latest, Unbroken. The studio was also recently recognized with an Emmy Award for its work on HBO’s
Game of Thrones.
The Hatch FX team of matte painter Deak Ferrand and executive producer Cheryl Bainum will lead the Rodeo FX Los Angeles studio, which offers direct access to all Rodeo FX services. Ferrand and Bainum have known Rodeo FX president Sébastien Moreau for over 20 years, starting in Montreal, where they worked together before opening their own studios. For the past few years, Rodeo FX has been bringing the pair on board for larger projects.
“As Rodeo FX grows, it is important for our clients that we have a presence in LA,” explains Moreau. “Studios, directors, and producers can develop ideas for their projects from pre-production through delivery of final shots in collaboration with the team at our Venice Beach location.”
“LA is still the starting point for much of the early development and creative process,” notes Bainum. “Rodeo FX now has a physical presence here and can be a part of the early pre-production phase. We will provide conceptual art, work with writers, directors, and creative executives, and follow these same projects through to final delivery. Being involved and collaborating from the onset of any project helps control costs while specifying and maintaining the creative vision.”
Ferrand comes on board as art director and brings significant expertise in concept art, matte painting and miniatures to the team of matte painting artists. Past credits include The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, Lucy, The Book of Eli, Wanted, Twilight Eclipse, X-Men Origins: Wolverine, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, What Dreams May Come and The Assassination of Jesse James.
In addition to this new office in Venice and the main studio in Montreal, Rodeo FX opened a studio in Quebec City last April and will soon have 30 artists employed there. Moreau adds that the new LA office provides access to senior creative staff and opens the door to a team of 200 artists based in a province with some of the best tax credits anywhere.