Get to Know | Amélie

In this release, we are pleased to introduce Amélie Goursat, groom artist at FOLKS, who makes sure no character ever has a bad hair day!

WHAT IS YOUR ROLE AT FOLKS?
I am a groom artist. My work consists of creating hair, fur, and feathers on 3D characters made by the asset team. It’s a bit like being a hairdresser or pet groomer, but in 3D. I use brushes, cut, style, and make sure the look is exactly as desired. It’s very stimulating and creative. The ultimate goal is to achieve a 100% realistic result and get as close to reality as possible. I am also responsible for groom simulation, which means I make sure hair, fur or feathers move realistically and interact naturally with the characters’ movements.

HOW DID YOU GET STARTED IN THE FIELD OF VISUAL EFFECTS?
I’ve always been passionate about movies. As a kid, I watched Disney films on repeat and was fascinated by the images. Despite that, I followed a fairly classical education: in high school I was in a scientific/math branch. Later, I stumbled into the artistic world somewhat by chance. I applied to a 3D school as soon as I realized making films could be a career. I learned multiple software programs; the curriculum was very general. In the final year, we had to make short films in teams, and ours featured animals. I had to learn grooming on my own because it wasn’t taught, and I loved it. From my first step into VFX, I enjoyed everything: creativity, teamwork, technical challenges, learning, and collaboration.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE CONSIDERING A CAREER IN VFX?
Keep learning, stay open to others’ ideas, and take advice. VFX is a field of exchange and sharing.

IF YOU HAD TO NAME A COLLEAGUE WHO INSPIRES YOU, WHO WOULD IT BE?
Gabriel Beauvais. He’s like my mentor since I joined FOLKS. His professional and personal qualities make him a very inspiring colleague. He always has creative ideas, listens to others, and pushes artists to give their best. On top of that, he’s excellent in his field, passionate, and his passion is contagious!

THE FIVE MAIN VALUES OF FOLKS ARE CREATIVITY, COLLABORATION, EXCELLENCE, SIMPLICITY AND KINDNESS. WHICH ONE DO YOU MOST IDENTIFY WITH?
All these qualities are important, but I’d choose kindness. It’s what makes FOLKS so enjoyable: we’re welcomed as humans first, with kindness and care, which allows everyone to develop other qualities and let their creativity flourish. I feel lucky and privileged to work with a team like FOLKS, in a collaborative, attentive environment, always striving to improve and create the best images possible.

IF YOU COULD TRANSFER TO ANOTHER PITCH BLACK LOCATION, WHERE WOULD YOU GO?
I’d say Bogotá. Colombia seems like a beautiful country, very rich, with incredible flora and fauna. But I wouldn’t be against a little world tour of the studios!

WHAT IS SOMETHING ABOUT YOU THAT PEOPLE MIGHT BE SURPRISED TO KNOW?
Working on spider grooms is a challenge for me… it’s my biggest phobia!

IS THERE A FOLKS PROJECT YOU PARTICULARLY ENJOYED?
Yellowjackets. It was a very challenging project, but it was exciting to push our limits a bit further to create an orignal!