Gervais-Després, Eric

Experiences

2025 – ANIMATION CONSULTANT

Animation producer
Creative & Technical Strategist
Business development
Animation Pipeline development

2023–2024 – HEAD OF RND AND PIPELINE DEVELOPMENT – Tonic DNA, Montreal

Design and develop production pipeline and RND procedures
Develop mixed media techniques for 2D and 3D integration.
Supervisor for innovative workflow and AI implementation in animation.

2016–2023 – PRESIDENT AND CO-FOUNDER – nGenious Studio, Montreal

Lead-management overseeing studio.
Business development initiatives to attract animated feature film projects.
Design and implement the production pipeline and RND procedures.
Provide interim supervision for the Layout and Effects departments.

2014–2016 – DIRECTOR OF TECHNOLOGY – Singing Frog Studio, Montreal

Responsible for the RND
Design and develop production pipeline.
Create all visual effects in Houdini for the animated feature Snowtime (La guerre des tuques 3D)

2013 – RND TECHNICAL DIRECTOR – Vision Globale / MELS, Montreal

Contracted to implement various tools for the VFX studio.
Build the Alembic transfer pipeline between platforms and software.

2012–2013 – DIRECTOR OF TECHNOLOGY – Digital District / L’Atelier, Montreal

Design and implement the initial pipeline for studio’s first CG Feature, Leap(Ballerina)

2012 – RND TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION – Moment Factory, Montreal

Develop a 3D point cloud scanning pipeline with the Faro Lidar Scanner to enable projections of content.
Apply techniques for high-profile events: Madonna Super Bowl Halftime Show, the Sagrada Familia light show in Barcelona, the Atlantic City boardwalk, and the Jay-Z Carnegie Hall concert in New York City.

2011–2012 – EFFECTS SUPERVISOR – Modus FX, Ste-Thérese

Supervise, design and create effects in Houdini for the animated feature Sarila.

2010–2011 – CG SUPERVISOR AND STEREOGRAPHER– Boogie Studio, Montreal.

Oversee all technical aspects of VFX production (bidding, pre-production, RND, depth-script, on-set supervision, and post-production).

2008–2010 – EFFECTS SUPERVISOR – Starz Animation Studio, Toronto

Supervise the effects for the animated Feature Gnomeo & Juliet
Work with key stakeholders to design and improve efficient workflows
Assist Effects team members in resolving technical issues.
Create schedules and staffing models.
Collaborate with the Director, Art Director and the Lighting Supervisor to create the aesthetic “look” of the film.
Train technical staff on stereoscopic workflow.

2006–2008 – CONSULTANT IN PIPELINE DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION

Design and implement production pipelines for studios worldwide to increase efficiency and cost-effectiveness
Develop stereoscopic tools and pipeline.
Recognized as a leader in stereoscopic production in Canada.
Designed all stereoscopic pipelines for projects nominated for the 2007 Special Venue VES Awards.
Collaborate with major studios such as Ubisoft, Modus FX, Mokko Studios, DamnFX, Meteor Studios, Coast2Coast, Laika, Starz.

2004–2006 – PIPELINE MANAGER AND RND SUPERVISOR – Meteor Studios, Montreal

Manage a team of pipeline developers, RND developers and Technical Directors.
Create a production pipeline to streamline workflows and increase productivity.
Apply these techniques to feature films including Fantastic Four (2005), 300 (2006), Final Destination 3 (2006), Slither (2006), and for Discovery Channel projects Alien Planet (2005) and 10.5 Apocalypse (2006)

2003–2004 – LEAD TECHNICAL DIRECTOR – CORE Feature Animation, Toronto

Design and develop procedural techniques in Houdini and Renderman to create natural effects such as oceans, grass, and jungle for the Disney-distributed animated feature The Wild
Created custom software to improve the camera, set dressing and compositing pipeline.

2001–2003 – TECHNICAL DIRECTOR SUPERVISOR– Meteor Studios, Montreal

Supervise the Technical Director team.
Develop techniques and production pipelines for character set-up, muscle system, fur, water and crowd simulations in 3D for visual effects in documentaries.
Provide solutions and technical support to assist various artistic departments within the studio

1999–2001 – SCENE PLANNER – Walt Disney Feature Animation, Burbank

Plan and build the animation scenes in CAPS and Maya
Set scanning resolutions and create camera movements on Disney animated features The Emperor’s New Groove (2000), Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001) and Treasure Planet (2002)

1998–1999 – TECH LEAD LAYOUTS AND BG – Walt Disney Feature Animation, Burbank

Coordinate technology of the Layout and Background departments across all studio locations the entire studio (Burbank, Orlando and Paris).
Represent these departments on technical matters in meeting with the developers, producers and directors.

1996–1998 – ANIMATION TECHNICAL DIRECTOR – Walt Disney Feature Animation, Burbank

Develop techniques to support the animation process.
Write over 60 software tools to assist 2D and stop-motion artists in transitioning to 3D animation
Design tools used on major productions including Mulan (1998), Tarzan (1999) and Dinosaur (2000).

1995–1996 – TECHNICAL DIRECTOR AND RND – TerraGlyph Interactive Studios, Chicago

Oversee software management for production software in both traditional 2D and 3D animation departments.
Write tools and animate complex effects scenes for CD-ROM games (Hansel & Gretel, Rumpelstilskin, TinyToons Buster and the Beanstalk, Kidsongs and Beowulf).
Conduct research to improve technology for traditional animation and 2D-3D integration.

1993–1995 – ANIMATOR AND DEMO ARTIST – Softimage, Montreal

Serve as the main demo artist for all Softimage products across headquarters, Eastern Canada, and major international trade shows.
Support clients in Canada and abroad with technical issues, training, and production services.
Act as the lead technical consultant and demo artist for the ink & paint software Toonz.

1992–1993 – COMPUTER GRAPHICS ARTIST – Freelancer, Ottawa

Direct, animate and edit several computer animations for Canadian businesses, such as Election Canada, Post Canada, Telesat, Bell Canada and Air Canada.