ABOUT HATCH

HATCH designs and produces digital visual effects for films, television, commercials and interactive projects by using the latest techniques in digital matte painting, compositing and computer graphics.

The company has been part of some high profile films such as "Lord of the Rings", "Scorpion King", "The Rundown", "Hellboy", "The Chronicles of Riddick" and "The Manchurian Candidate".

HATCH was created in 2001 by Deak Ferrand and Cheryl Bainum, both having followed the same path through various effects houses from Buzz Image Group in Montreal to most recently R!OT in Santa Monica. We have set out to design and create stunning visual effects while specialising in the matte painting arena, and promoting the idea of Production's involving effects houses in the preproduction stage as much as possible to help keep the costs down while maintaining the Director's vision.

deak ferrand

Deak is the artist, born and raised in Switzerland and classically trained in painting and sculpting. After moving to Canada in 1991, where he studied at the NAD centre (National Centre for Animation and Design) in Montreal , he was quickly picked up by Buzz, one of the leading effects houses there. When they decided to open a Los Angeles subsidiary in 1995, he was called to be one of the front people. Following a couple mergers the company was renamed R!OT. At R!OT, Deak held the title of designer and senior matte painter, for several years and was instrumental in establishing POP's/R!OT's reputation as leader in CGI and digital matte paintings for film and commercials.

cheryl bainum

Cheryl is executive producer, born and raised in North Africa, her family did not own a television until they moved to Europe when she was twelve! How she ended up producing visual effects is a curious path. Her University studies focused on International Relation and Diplomacy (I guess that could help!) but her true love was working with artists. She landed a job at Buzz in Montreal as an assistant to a visual effects supervisor, where she began to learn the ins and outs of the craft. When the Studio was to open in Los Angeles in 1995, she was promoted to Producer, and remained there through the mergers until she took some time off to focus her attention on her new life as a mother. Teamed up again with long time accomplice Deak, they have been putting magic on the big and small screen.

dominic daigle

Dominic Daigle was added to our team in early 2003 as a Senior FX Animator. Leaving R!ot where he had worked with Deak for several years, he joined Hatch to further his career ambitions as a matte painter. His abounding talent and fun loving character have made him an invaluable asset to the team. Originally from Quebec, Dominic moved to Los Angeles in 2000.

andrew whitelaw

Andrew Whitelaw joined Hatch in the summer of 2003. Also migrating from R!ot, his responsibilities are multiple: as in house systems administrator, 3D tracker, roto artist and most recently as junior compositor. His versatile character, eagerness to learn and excel have allowed him to be challenged so far. Never a dull moment with Andrew around! Originally from the East Coast where his effects career started @ Doug Trumbull's shop, Andrew moved to Los Angeles in 1998.

Please contact Cheryl Bainum for further information at 310-574-3766 or cheryl@hatchfx.com