francois gendron

Lead lighting instructor

"In life, there is no straight path we have to follow."

With a passion for both art and science, I started doing a Masters in Biology. Over the duration of my journey only focusing on science, I found a yearning for creativity that I could not get over. After seeing a commercial for a Visual Effects school, I decided to quit and pursue my artistic passion—and thank goodness I did.

My career spans over 22 years starting out with modeling and texturing for video games. Thankfully, I got the opportunity to explore more cinematic pursuits and jumped at the chance finding a passion for lighting. Since then, I have worked at studios such as L’Atelier Animation and on blockbuster movies like Avatar, The Hobbit and Rise of the Planet of the Apes.

Throughout my career, I have traveled the world following contracts and, as a result, have taken on elements of everything from modeling to compositing. Now, I have added another string to my bow and become a teacher at Lost Boys, creating the first lighting program to teach Katana.

I alternate between teaching and working as a lighter, staying connected to the industry’s latest innovations to keep my lighting course as close to the industry-standard as possible. It is a great privilege for me to share my knowledge of the visual effects industry and am always excited to see the growth I find in my students.

Check out our Lighting Artist program >>

over 22 years experience in the visual effects industry

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Testimonials

"I can say for sure that Lost Boys saved my life. The Lighting course brought me to a level I never imagined. The Lighting course helped me to focus all of my energy and generalist knowledge, together with the new techniques I’ve learned throughout the course, to reach the next level. Thanks to Lost Boys, I could break into the industry here, and get a dream job at Sony. My family and I are forever thankful to Lost Boys."

They really prepared us and gave us the tools needed to start a career in Lighting. And the fact that we get taught in Katana is great, which was one of the main reasons I went there, wanting to learn that software. I also have to say that during the program I had a whole lot of fun, made new friends, and got to meet a lot of cool people.

My teacher and mentor Francois Gendron, who has more than 20 years of lighting experience, was incredible. Within just four short months, we were trained to have an artistic eye and also how to work on real projects as if in a real studio. Thanks to the guidance of Francois and support of Lost Boys, I was able to begin working in the VFX industry again after 12 years. I am so grateful to Lost Boys Studios.