Luc St-Onge, Animation Director, Ubisoft Montreal
Interview with Luc St-Onge (JV99), Graduate of the Video Games program, Animation Director, Ubisoft Montreal.
1- Which company do you work for and what position do you hold there?
I’m currently working at Ubisoft Montreal as animation director. I’m in charge of the development of animators, of animation training needs and finally, of sharing within the animation community.
2- Why did you choose a career in 3D?
It was the next logical step in my career since I was convinced that 3D was a field I wanted to evolve in. I am curious by nature and I’ve always been fascinated by several subjects. So, the 3D universe enabled me to understand the fine arts as well as the composition and physics of lighting, and in a more global way, to understand the world that surrounds us. 3D is a multifaceted field, for example, it includes the principles of animation as well as the physics of movement. And, since I like math as much as design, I get a good challenge with 3D software.
3- In what way did the NAD Centre help you start a career in 3D?
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.
4- What is your career path?
Before launching myself into the 3D universe, I worked for 6 years at Radio Énergie as advertising designer, and spent a year working in TV production at Quad communication where I worked on just about everything (camera, lighting, set, editing). In 1999, I registered for the Video Games program at the NAD Centre. Several months later, I was working as character animator, modeler and effects specialist at Klik animation then at Camera e-motion. Among other things, I worked on the production of feature films such as Pluto Nash, cartoons such as Shmoop and Junior and the daily TV show Le Jour Null. Then, I felt like teaching, so for 5 years, I managed the Design and Digital Arts for Video Games program at the NAD Centre. During that time, I also taught several 3D software courses to industry professionals as a certified Discreet instructor. In 2005, I joined the Digital Dimension team as 3D supervisor, where I worked on several films, including a 3D animated feature film, The Legend of the Secret Pass. Afterwards, I found myself working in the field of architecture at Scéno Plus where I managed the 3D graphics department. Since March 2009, I’ve been working in the video games industry at Ubisoft in Montreal as animation director.
5-What do you enjoy in your profession and why?
Wow! That’s a tough question to sum up in two sentences since I like a lot of things. I guess I would have to say, the projects’ success and the team members. Delivering a project on time and on budget with a small team in the toughest times. To make use of each team members’ strengths, to give them all an opportunity to take risks. That’s what drove me to embark in this career above all. When you accomplish something that everyone thinks is “impossible” and that as a team you deliver “the impossible”, the feeling of accomplishment afterwards is that much more intense!
There’s also a trainer, coach and mentor aspect to my career that I really enjoy. Whether that be at work or in life in general, I am lucky to be able to advise and help several people with their career development, and I’m very grateful for the trust they have in me.
6- What are the qualities needed to succeed in your field/profession?
You must enjoy work and endure pressure, and you also have to be passionate, a winner, persistent, cheerful, a good communicator, a unifier, a good strategist, meticulous, clear, organized (not always the case for me, but I try) and stubborn. Yes, you must be at times …
7- Do you have any advice to give to students who wish to make a career in 3D?
Work hard. Remain curious, push ahead and always show respect for your own work, your employer and the work of your peers. Allow yourself to make mistakes at first, and most of all, don’t be afraid to get help and advice, especially in tough times. And rule number 1, have fun while working.