Montreal-based film and digital post shop Voodoo Arts has gained exclusive representation in North America for effects director Didier Kwak.

Before going freelance, Kwak was visual effects director at Paris-based Ex Machina. He is now available for the production of commercials and of special effects for feature films.

"He's been able to successfully make the transition from visual effects director to directing commercials," says Rick Ostiguy, president, Voodoo Arts. "The commercial work he's done takes full advantage of his knowledge of visual effects so they're very slick. They're high-end spots that are perfect for us because that's what we do; high-end live-action and digital production integrated together."

Kwak's reputation as an expert in visual effects has allowed him in the past year to direct special effects in commercials for Volkswagen, American Express, Yoplait, Fiat and Peugeot. He directed the special effects for feature films such as Luc Besson's The Fifth Element, and Par de là les nuages by Wim Wenders and Michelangelo Antonioni, and Gérard Pullicino's Babel.

Voodoo Arts also announced the appointment of Luc Belanger-Martin as its executive vice-president of business. Belanger-Martin leaves his post as product manager for E-commerce Applications. Before that he served as executive vice-president at ACME Multimedia.

This year Voodoo Arts is experiencing significant growth in its commercial business, partly due to its move to live-action production since allying with New York-based Ron Soodalter Associates' international consortium of special effects and design studios last year. Belanger-Martin will manage and "structure" all facets of business operations.

Contact:

http://www.voodooarts.com