ARTFX and THE YARD sign a ”school-to-studio” partnership and jointly respond to the call for projects « La fabrique de l’image » as part of the France 2030 plan. ARTFX School of Digital Arts and THE YARD studio are working to strengthen their collaboration through a « school-to-studio » partnership. They will participate with a joint submission to the call for projects « La fabrique de l’image » as part of the France 2030 plan, in line with their ongoing cooperation over those past few years. The established, close collaboration between ARTFX and THE YARD notably resulted in ARTFX students’ many internship opportunities in THE YARD studio, and the hiring of former ARTFX students upon completion of their studies. This collaboration has provided ARTFX students with invaluable opportunities for industry-related work experience, as it simultaneously further expanded the school’s expertise in the field of visual effects.
Today, this partnership is being restructured and strengthened with a common objective to increase interactions in the years to come. THE YARD is committed to support the development of ARTFX’s educational excellence by participating in ARTFX’s steering committees and by offering workshops led by recognized industry experts who will share the latest techniques and teach current studio practices. THE YARD will support ARTFX in the development of a new training offer, including work-study programs, to prepare tomorrow’s new VFX technical directors (VFX TD). Workshops will be offered to ARTFX students, led by THE YARD professionals, who will train them to use specific skills and better prepare them for their future jobs.
As both ARTFX and THE YARD are very much aware of, training does not stop at the campus door. This partnership between the two entities therefore offers to strengthen professional integration through internships and new training practices. These training courses and commitments are decisive guarantees for the integration of new highly qualified professionals into the production and post-production teams of the creative and cultural industries. It provides a joint synergy for the greater benefit of students and companies, through a genuine school-to-studio partnership.
Simon Vanesse, Managing Director, ARTFX
« The promise we make to our students is straightforward: our school is led by professionals and directly aligned to the profession. We offer a digital arts school like no other: a school that trains students to use their unique sensitivity, skills and talent to serve the most ambitious creative projects, right from the start. Over the years, our commitment has led us to build structured relationships with active studios and film creators, and our alumni work and share their expertise in world-class series and games.
Having The Yard by our side as a privileged partner is the best expression of this support for creative studios. As techniques and content are constantly evolving in our professions, the commitment to co-constructing the careers of future creators and technicians is crucial: not only for their individual success, but also for the success of the industry as a whole. The Yard is an incredible studio that has managed to become a leader in its field. It has demonstrated an almost unique accomplishment in France, and managed to show its creativity in French and European productions, as it also attracted international productions due to the quality of its productions. »
« THE YARD is an ideal partner for ARTFX to develop its training programs with a constant requirement. »
« The majority of French companies in our sector have historically decided to expand abroad (Canada, Belgium) in order to benefit from the tax credits offered by these countries. Nowadays, however, foreign companies come to France to take advantage of the French tax credit. At THE YARD, we have always been concerned about developing the French VFX industry, and we have chosen to develop in our region in order to generate jobs and improve the attractiveness of our sector. In Montpellier, we will create a branch where artists can meet, exchange, collaborate, create… As we join ARTFX in the metropolis, we want to strengthen our collaboration and further our support to the training of future talents. »
Laurens Ehrmann, Founder, THE YARD
« Talents no longer go to companies. It is the companies that must come to the talents ! »
Furthermore, THE YARD announced today its commitment to the Endowment Fund for the Digital Arts that was created by Gilbert KINER, President and Founder of ARTFX. The aim of this fund is to support the inclusion of social diversity in our training to digital image professions and to guarantee a high level of skills for all. Another objective of this fund is to associate economic actors in each territory and to convey the values of excellence of the members of the endowment fund. THE YARD fully shares these values, and is already contributing to support these inclusion and innovation efforts in the field of digital arts. THE YARD is indeed proud to support this initiative and help allow talented individuals from all walks of life to pursue a career in the industry.
Gilbert Kiner, Founding President of ARTFX School and President of the Digital Arts Endowment Fund.
« As the founder of the ARTFX school, I know how important it is to help the future talents in our field. That’s why I’m happy to see the Digital Arts Endowment Fund grow, as it aims to support their professional digital image training by promoting their economic and social development. I would like to express my gratitude to THE YARD studio team and to its Director, Laurens Ehrmann, for their commitment to this endowment fund. Their contribution and support are invaluable in helping students reach their full potential. »
« Together, let’s continue to support the talent of tomorrow for our industry. »