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Monthly profile : Mark Morissette, Graduate from the Film and Television Program

Graduates testimonials

For more details about Centre NAD graduates career path, please consult the graduates category of the blog.

SÉBASTIEN DOSTIE, visual effects supervisor & partner at Boogie Studio (FXAU97)

"Beyond technique and the learning of particular software, the NAD taught me how to work in a team, help my peers, remain open to criticism, be autonomous and work hard over long periods of time. There is also the excellent guidance of teachers, who for the most part, work within the industry. This enables you to have a direct link with the job market and its expectations."

FRANÇOIS GOSSELIN, 3D generalist, Gameloft (JVAU02)

"The Centre NAD was my entrance into the video game industry. All the students in my class were motivated. We possessed complementary strengths and we could share our knowledge. To have teachers who worked in the field allowed me to make contacts and, above all, it gave me a better knowledge of the video game industry."

OLIVIER GOULET, Visual Effects Supervisor, Vision Globale (FX96)

"Obviously, at the NAD Centre, I learned to use certain software, but I also learned several lessons that are still useful to me today, such as the importance of being well prepared before starting work on a project. References, storyboards and animatics are all valuable tools to avoid wasting time during production. When working on effects, it's the final onscreen result that counts; effort and perseverance are often rewarded, but especially if effort is placed in the right spot!"

JOHANNES THÉ, Environment Artist, Blizzard Entertainment(JVH00)

"Not only has the NAD Centre opened a completely new horizon for me, but it has also provided me with priceless tools and knowledge in my 3D career. It was also through the NAD Centre that I landed my first 3D job."

JOSEPH KASPARIAN, Lead Textures & Lighting, Hybride Technologies(FX Summer 96)

"The NAD Centre allowed me to transform my passion, which was meant to be just a hobby, into a profession. This was made possible thanks to the variety and the caliber of the courses taught by the teachers, who are in fact pioneers in the industry and very much present in the field of production. The most practical course for me was the one on the various professions related to special effects, from storyboard to compositing, since it enabled me to gain a very good understanding of each person's role involved in the creation of shots for film and television."

MARC-ANTOINE HAMELIN, Senior Environment Artist, BioWare (JVAU04)

"The NAD Centre was crucial in the launching of my career. The reputation of the teachers is incredible and the contacts you make while studying there are precious. The NAD really has a great repute and being able to add its name to your CV at the start of your career is like adding another string to your bow."

JONATHAN SIMARD, Senior Animator, Beenox (JVAU02)

"The NAD Centre taught me to "work my butt off" if I wanted to succeed. The teachers at the time quickly made us realize that we had to perform if we wanted to get a job and that's what I did. Also, the NAD Centre is open 24/7, as opposed to other schools where I've taught, that were only open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., and this is priceless. As a result of all this hard work, I started working as an animator-modeler at Ubisoft in Montreal, even before having finished the course. The teachers had sent a demo presenting the students' work in progress, and the people at Ubisoft were impressed by the progress of my work as well as the quality of the animation and modeling. All of this I owe to the NAD Centre."

DANIEL LUPIEN, Senior Environment Artist, EA Montreal (FXAU01)

"The NAD Centre was crucial in the launching of my career. The reputation of the teachers is incredible and the contacts you make while studying there are precious. The NAD really has a great repute and being able to add its name to your CV at the start of your career is like adding another string to your bow."

JONATHAN PAQUIN, 3D animator, Weta Digital, New-Zeland (FX99)

"Apart from the basic knowledge and the rudiments of 3D, I think the NAD brought me a lot in terms of contacts and experience within the work environment. A teacher that rolls around on the floor in the middle of a room to show you something related to animation teaches you early on that you shouldn't be scared of absurdity if you want to become an animator! Far be it from me to laugh at them, since almost all my first jobs were more or less related to my teachers at the NAD."

SÉBASTIEN PRIMEAU, Art Director, Ubisoft Montreal (JV00)

"The NAD Centre is a highly renowned school in the field of 3D and digital arts. The majority of the teachers work within the industry, either in video games or film. These teachers are highly qualified and are willing to share their knowledge and know how. For a person like me, who is super motivated and curious to learn about new technologies, I couldn't wish for anything better than to be surrounded by passionate people, constantly looking for better ways of doing things."

SIMON MARINOF, Compositing Artist, Rythm and Hues, California (FX98)

" The NAD is a top school. Anything is possible for someone who is willing to work. Three quarters of the teachers work in the industry, which means that the courses are always up-to-date and production oriented. Employers look for people who can start work on a project and produce shots without having to train them. The NAD Centre trains students who can adapt themselves to the workforce."

FRANÇOIS PELLETIER, Lead Artist, EA Montréal (FXAU01)

" The NAD Centre helped me on many crucial levels! Whether that be though its technical training, its intensive production experience, or in the relationships forged with colleagues and teachers… I would say that the NAD provided me with the self-confidence that I needed to enter the workforce, while also being ready to integrate a production team from the get-go."

MARC BOURBONNAIS, Co-founder, Modus FX (FX96)

" At that time (we're talking of the mid 90s), it was very difficult to train for a career in visual effects and even harder to obtain a job in this field. The NAD Centre enabled me to develop important contacts with professionals and companies in the field, while polishing my 3D skills of course."

DAVE LAJOIE, Product Specialist, R&D, Industrial Light&Magic (FX94)

" The courses at the NAD Centre covered so much ground; they were quite extensive. From Unix, C shell scripts, remote rendering, 3D principles, animation principles (software and techniques), compositing and painting. Basically, everything we needed to become competent in production! We were using cutting edge technology on SGI platforms and Softimage|3D."

LUC ST-ONGE, Animation Director, Ubisoft Montreal (JV99)

« I left the radio and television production industry to specialize in 3D. The NAD Centre enabled me to take a pause after 7 years of work, it was a turning point in my career and I'm really glad to have taken it.»

VIRGINIE GOULET, Compositing Artist, CIS Vancouver (FXAU04)

" For me, the NAD Centre is a technical school with instructors derived from the industry itself. It's also a place where I made loads of good friends. I had a lot of fun while learning a ton of things. The four demos are a good preparation for work life due to their tight deadlines. The fact that the courses are taught by instructors who work in the industry also helps, as they always happen to mention what techniques they are currently using in their daily work."

MATHIEU VEILLETTE, 2D-3D computer graphics artist (FX01)

" The NAD Centre allowed me to learn all the steps and the various specialties in the field of 3D. The Centre really helped me orient myself in the specialty that I wanted to excel in and to better understand and respect my colleagues' work. I learned to work hard and put in long hours. The work environment at the NAD Centre is motivating and the teachers' passion is contagious. I wouldn't hesitate to go back there one day to refine my skills and techniques."

DAVID LAROCHELLE, Compositing Artist, Ubisoft Digital Arts (FXAU05)

" My memories are the friendly instructors, the highly motivated students, the happy hours, and the video integration demo, which is the most interesting for a compositing artist. The Film program is extremely demanding and pushes us to work hard, which prepares us for a fast paced industry that is demanding in itself."

DAN GAUD, Compositing Artist, CIS Vancouver (FXAU04)

" The NAD enabled me to make a decent demo reel! That's what got me my first contract and what ultimately launched my career! The NAD approach is ideal since it is so similar to a real production environment."