Mikros Animation Paris’ teams under the Mikroscope! We asked them 8 questions so that you can get to know them, their world and their successes. At the end, they in turn pass the baton to one of their colleagues so that another person can answer the same questions!
We start with Olivier Mitonneau, CG supervisor:
What is the best part of your job?
Sharing my work with the whole family and especially my children. I’m proud and happy to see them captivated with a big smile in front of the films.
What was the first project you worked on when you joined Mikros Animation?
I applied to work on Asterix and the Secret of the Magic Potion, which got postponed. I finally started with the Garden Gnomes on Sherlock Gnomes!
Share your student and professional path to your position at Mikros Animation!
In high school I quickly decided to become a graphic designer, I found the special effects and the various game cinematics amazing! Haaaa, the intro to the Blizzard games, Diablo 2… great memories! And I remember a Hollywood Chewing Gum ad with the Statue of Liberty coming to life, incredible for my teenage eyes!!
Coming from a science background, I had always had an artistic eye, visiting many museums and various art exhibitions. I started to take regular drawing classes.
I found a school near my home in Toulouse, ETPA, which had multimedia and 3D training. Training is quite far from the standards of today’s 3D schools. I was trained in layout, website, code and 3D. Our third and last year allowed us to really specialize in 3D. At the end of my training in 2006, I was able to get an internship at Mikros, and from then on, I stayed there for 7 years, doing commercials, VFX, and other teasers.
I was a generalist artist, but I really got interested in shading, lighting, comp and DMP thanks to Tchook and Alex who trained me. Manu Souillac and Satyne were also there – we did some good productions together! I started as a graphic designer and then as a supervisor, I was able to go on many shoots all over the world with Julien Meesters who trained me on my first shoot in Istanbul.
Then, I was lucky enough to be offered a job at The Mill in New York, to continue on commercials and other teasers. It was an incredible 2-year experience that will always remain strong for me.
When I went back to France, I needed a change, and being close to Mikros, I had the opportunity to join the animation team, which I haven’t left for 7 years. From surfacing supervisor to environment supervisor, and now CG sup on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem.
What inspires you or who inspires you?
A picture, a story, good music. With children I have less and less time for myself, so I become demanding on the films and series I watch. It’s always a pleasure to see an exhibition or visit a new museum. The smallest thing, the smallest detail that we see can be useful, we must remain curious, and push ourselves to discover things that do not attract us at first glance. And finally, you must know how to take breaks, enjoy nature, and leave with a good energy.
If you had to be a character in Mikros Animation’s films and series, who would you be?
I’ve never asked myself that question. Let’s say Leo in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem. I try to be a good leader for our teams. I still have a lot to learn, so it’s motivating to move forward. I hope nobody sees me as an old Splinter Daddy!
Your biggest achievement so far?
Being part of this great experience at Mikros, being part of this great team with more and more impressive projects.
What would be your superpower?
I would love to be able to read all my emails, my chats, my 1500 shotgrid notes in a fraction of a second, that would be a great help! So, my other superpower would be to be able to answer them just as fast and unblock everything in an instant 😄 .
What advice would you give to your younger self?
The same advice I keep in mind today – move forward, stay positive and motivate others to keep that same energy, and believe in yourself.
It’s your turn to name someone from Mikros Animation Paris, to answer these 8 questions!
Let’s go with Vincent Leroy, Production Director. It’s your turn!
