Pierre Chupeau, 2017 ESMA Nantes graduate: from rigging to Lead Lighting & Compositing in Canada
A member of ESMA’s first class from Nantes, Pierre Chupeau has since built his career on the other side of the Atlantic. Now Lead Lighting & Compositing at Bardel Entertainment in Vancouver, he looks back on his career, his beginnings and the way in which he is now passing on his knowledge to new generations of artists.
The origins: from engineering sciences to 3D
Pierre’s original intention was to study engineering. After taking a science baccalaureate with an engineering science option, he began his first year of a bachelor’s degree in this field. But he soon realised that this was not the path for him. The only subject that attracted him was 3D modelling of mechanisms.
At the same time, he discovered 3D entertainment software. It was a revelation. His university offered a free option on Blender: where he had struggled in scientific subjects, he immediately excelled, achieving excellent grades without any particular effort. Convinced that he had found his calling, he started looking for a specialised school. It was when he discovered the ESMA short films on YouTube that he decided to enrol.
The ESMA experience: rigour and passion
At ESMA, Pierre acquired a solid generalist culture. He develops a critical eye and refines his artistic sense. For him, the highlight of the course is making his final film, which is a real professional experience: managing deadlines, working as part of a team, optimising technical aspects and presenting the final film to an audience.
Lazare, a founding project
His graduation short film, Lazare, was an outstanding collective adventure. Pierre took care of the rigging to prepare the characters for animation, then participated in the texturing and surfacing. He then took charge of the CFX (clothing), some smoke and dust FX, and did almost all the lighting, as well as several compositing shots. It was a demanding experience, punctuated at times by team disagreements, but above all it was a formative one and a rich learning experience.
A vocation for lighting
Initially, he had no clear idea of what he wanted to specialise in. But as the exercises progressed, he discovered a real passion for lighting, which he felt was the most interesting link in the production chain. However, he chooses to maintain his curiosity about other departments, which is essential if he is to work effectively in a small team.
Starting out in the world of work: the unexpected and the rebound
The transition to the professional world was not an easy one. At the Annecy Festival, he landed a contract with Double Negative in London, due to start the following January. But after several postponements, the project was finally cancelled.
Fortunately, an old friend of Lazare’s, Cyprien, told him about jobs available at MPC Vancouver. Pierre seized the opportunity and flew to Canada. The adjustment was brutal: the planned lighting academy was cancelled at the last minute and he had to learn on his own, accelerated by in-house tutorials. To top it all off, his first day was interrupted when a car crashed into the studio’s electrical panel, plunging everyone into forced inactivity. After this chaotic start, he quickly found his feet and became a full member of the production teams.
Settling in Canada
Initially, his plan was simple: gain experience in Vancouver for one or two years, then return to France. But he fell under the spell of the city, its setting between sea and mountains, and the many professional opportunities it offered. Not necessarily wishing to return to work in Paris, he decided to extend his North American adventure.
Vancouver is cosmopolitan and English-speaking. When you first start out, you have to adapt to the language, administrative procedures and local culture. But this diversity is also a source of richness: from his very first day, he exchanges with colleagues from New Zealand, Mexico, Spain and India.
From Lighting Artist to Lead Lighting & Compositing
Pierre started out as a Lighting Artist at MPC, before joining Bardel Entertainment, where he quickly progressed from LRC Artist (Lighting Rendering Compositing) to Lead. His role consists of defining the technical and artistic bases for the lighting and compositing teams, organising the distribution of shots and ensuring final quality in direct liaison with the client.
At the end of the production chain, he liaises with all the other departments, identifies and corrects problems, and ensures that the finished product is consistent. This job allows him to make the most of both his technical skills and his taste for teaching: he supervises a young team and considers teaching to be the most rewarding part of his job.
Landmark projects: from Detective Pikachu to Diary of a Wimpy Kid
The first project in which he participated, Detective Pikachu, remains a strong memory. A fan of video games as a child, it was an intense experience that marked the start of his career.
But the project he was most enthusiastic about was Diary of a Wimpy Kid. For the first time, he was entrusted with his own team. Despite the pressure, he discovered the freedom to create lighting moods that differed from the initial colour keys, with the confidence of his superiors. This project enabled him to assert his artistic personality.
What about tomorrow?
Pierre is currently applying for permanent residency in Canada. He has long-term plans for this country, with a desire to continue in a role that combines transmission and creation. Teaching in a structure like MPC’s in-house academy would be a logical next step.
His advice to students
His message is clear: “There’s no secret, you have to work hard, but above all you have to be passionate. He insists on the importance of remembering the spark that led to joining the school. In moments of doubt, that initial motivation is the driving force that enables you to overcome the difficulties. Above all, he encourages us to make the most of it: “Not many people are lucky enough to work in this field. We’re still big kids, so work hard, but have fun too.
