April 24, 2023
Fin is delighted to welcome VFX Supervisor Denis Baudin to complement Fin’s stellar team of VFX Supervisors – Stuart White (a founding Fin member since 2001), Roy Malhi, Will Towle and Jonathan Dearing – arguably amongst the industry’s finest.
Denis, an accomplished VFX artist, CGI trainer, TD and Supervisor originally from Belgium and a multi-linguist, has had an extensive two decade career working globally on a list of international high-profile movies and with renowned studios such as Weta, Technicolour, MPC, and Framestore. His movie credits include famous epics such as “Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens”, “Avengers: Infinity War”, “Mortal Kombat”, “Avatar: The World of Pandora”, and “Dr Strange”.
At the recent 2023 prestigious Visual Effects Awards (VES), Denis and his team were recognised for their remarkable work on “Thirteen Lives”, directed by Ron Howard, in the category of “Outstanding Supporting Visual Effects in a Photoreal Feature”, which depicts the true story of the Thai school kids trapped in a flooded cave.
Throughout his career working across independent and big features, Denis’ veritable vfx passion has led him to be recognised throughout the visual effects industry for his technical expertise and creative vision.
Denis takes his commitment to delivering high-end quality work very seriously.
“I’m excited to work with the FIN team, take on new challenges and push the boundaries of what’s possible in VFX and create work that truly stands out in the industry. Fin has a reputation for creating cutting-edge and visually stunning work, and I look forward to contributing my skills and expertise to help take that work to the next level”.
We are confident Denis will do just that. Combined, our VFX, CG, and Comp supervisors and their Fin-tastic artists, bring an awe-inspiring collation of VFX leadership, knowledge, and experience in constantly evolving Fin’s visual solutions and design.
Get to know a little more about Denis’ and his background…
What type of kid were you, and what were some of your influential movie memories?
As a child, I was a grounded and level-headed individual with a natural talent for critical thinking and puzzle-solving. Even at the age of five, I demonstrated curiosity, as evidenced by a drawing I created of a house complete with the label “3D.”
Fondest cinematic recollections that still hold a special place in my heart and left an indelible mark on me as a young viewer, include the iconic “Who Framed Roger Rabbit,” the thrilling and ground-breaking “Jurassic Park,” and the timeless classic “The Goonies”.
I was also captivated by the mesmerizing worlds of Japanese manga and video games, which served as a wellspring of inspiration and imagination for me during my formative years.
What was your pathway and motivation to enter into VFX?
Completing various studies in Belgium, Spain, and the UK, including a Masters in Art and Space, which gave me a deep understanding of the interplay between art, technology and culture, I started off in Design. But it was the advent of video games that truly ignited my passion for 3D and VFX. Iconic titles such as “Crash Bandicoot,” “Colin McRae,” and “Wipeout” inspired me to pursue a career in this exciting field. I started working in video games, which eventually led me to the world of VFX for music promos and commercials. From there, I progressed to the movie industry, where I continue to apply my expertise and creativity to bring incredible visual effects to life on the big screen. It’s been an incredible journey, and I’m thrilled to be able to bring my skills and passion to this dynamic and ever-evolving industry.
Which have been the most challenging projects you’ve worked on how has this been meaningful and impacting on your career and memorable in pushing creative boundaries and setting benchmarks?
One of the most challenging and meaningful projects I have worked on was Thirteen Lives. This project had a significant impact on my career, and I will always remember it as a memorable experience that pushed creative boundaries and set benchmarks in the VFX industry.
One of the most significant challenges on this project was ensuring that the CG elements matched the plate perfectly, which required a tremendous amount of attention to detail and collaboration between the VFX artist vendor team. However, the end result was truly spectacular, with the VFX work seamlessly integrated into the live-action footage to create a breathtaking visual experience for audiences around the world.
Looking back, I can see that Thirteen Lives was a transformative experience that helped me to develop my skills as a VFX artist and manager and set new standards for what is possible in this exciting and constantly evolving field.
Which have been the most outstanding career/project highlights you’ve enjoyed, and why?
I’ve been incredibly fortunate to work on some amazing projects throughout my career, and it’s difficult to choose just a few highlights. However, if I had to pick, I would say that my work on Star Wars and Avatar was among the most outstanding experiences I’ve had.
Working on these visually stunning and groundbreaking films was an honor, involving tremendous freedom to collaborate closely with directors and other key stakeholders, enabling me to contribute fully to the creative vision and really push the boundaries of possibilities.
Each project I’ve worked on has taught me something new and pushed me to grow and evolve as an artist and a professional. I look forward to continuing to create memorable and inspiring work in the years to come.
With famous hindsight, and if you could travel back in time, what piece of advice would you give yourself?
To better navigate the challenges and opportunities in the VFX industry, I’d say equipping yourself with these tips:
