Mark Bénard

Creative Director & VFX Mentor
Owner

Mark Bénard provides instruction, supervision and personal mentoring in the VFX Diploma program, replacing lecture-based classroom training with a focus on project-based learning and mentorship. He brings 15 years of studio, on-set and supervisory experience directly to a small group of students, emphasizing an open mind for personal exploration, new experiences and self-directed learning. With shared ownership of Lost Boys Learning with his partner Gillian Bénard, Mark is the primary decision-maker on the VFX Curriculum.

Biography

Bénard’s obsession with creation has taken him from the humble beginnings of Lego champion of his hometown’s annual fall fair to becoming a significant contributor to the VFX and 3D Animation Industry.

One year out of film school Bénard’s VFX work in Vancouver’s rapidly expanding visual effects industry attracted the attention of Richard Branson’s Virgin Digital Studios. Together they created the internationally acclaimed Lost Boys Studios, one of Canada’s top 3D animation and visual effects boutiques, known for its innovation and creative flair. While helming Lost Boys Studios, Bénard was known for his very hands on approach to management commonly working alongside his team as a Visual Effects Supervisor, Producer and Artist on hundreds of productions.

Through his development and production company, Lost Boys Entertainment Inc., Bénard executive-produced the award-winning 3D animated short “Frank Was A Monster Who Wanted To Dance”, with co-Executive Producer John Williams of Vanguard Animation(“Shrek”, “Valiant” and “Happily N’Ever After”). In 2005 Bénard co-directed/co-produced the animated BRAVO Fact short “The Orchid and the Rose” with Dennis Tal, Diffusion Film Corp.

After the birth of their second child, the Bénards made a new lifestyle choice and set their sights on education. Heading up the Visual Effects stream at the Vancouver Film School during 2004-2005, Mark Bénard developed curriculum including designing visual effects production projects, from the live-action shoot through 3D, through the final composite.

Awards & Recognition

2007 Leo Nomination, Unnatural & Accidental, Best Visual Effects, Feature Length Drama
2006 Houston Worldfest Gold Award, The Orchid & The Rose, Animation
2006 Vancouver Island Short Film Festival, The Orchid & The Rose, Best Technical Production
2004 Leo Awards, The Snow Walker, Best Visual Effects, Feature Length Drama
2003 Crystal Screen Awards, Coca-Cola Beat “Tornado”
2003 Business in Vancouver Magazine, Top 40 Under 40 Entrepreneurs
2003 3D Festival Nomination, Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit 2, Best Gaming Cinematic
2002 Business in Vancouver Magazine, BC’s 50 Fastest Growing Companies (No. 10)
2002 BC Export Awards Finalist, New Media & Entertainment
2001 Emmy Nomination, Stargate SG-1, Outstanding Special Visual Effects, Series
2001 Gemini Nomination, Stargate SG-1, Best Visual Effects, Series
2001 Mobius Advertising Award, GNP Insurance, Best Computer Animation
2001 28th Annual Northwest International Film Festival, Frank Was A Monster Who Wanted to Dance, Best Animated Short
2001 New York Festivals, Frank Was A Monster Who Wanted to Dance, Best Animated Film
2000 International Monitor Award, Bacardi Limon Campaign, Best Visual Effects
2000 FIAP Latin Advertising Award, GNP Insurance, Best Computer Animation, Commercial
2000 Circulo Creativo Advertising Award, GNP Insurance, Best 3D Animation

Professional Memberships

Visual Effects Society (VES)
ACM/SIGGRAPH Vancouver Chapter
Comox Valley Community Arts Council (CVCAC)
CG Society