The Yard VFX, special effects specialist, sets up its 650 m² studio in the heart of Montpellier

Laurens Ehrmann, fondateur de The Yard Studio, investi à Montpellier pour faire rayonner la ville DR – Naïri

The special effects studio, The Yard VFX, has inaugurated its new 650 m&sup2 premises; end of June in the Saint-Roch station district in Montpellier. Laurens Ehrmann, the founder, is betting on the future with a global investment of 1.5 million euros.

The Yard VFX, the 100% French studio of digital special effects, is expanding its premises in Montpellier. A year after settling in the Hérault capital, success pushed Laurens Ehrmann, founder of the company, to move into 650 m², rue du Pavillon, in the St. Roch.

This acquisition represents a total investment of 1.5 M€. The surface area and infrastructure are identical to the Parisian premises. "I do not want to make a distinction between Paris and Montpellier, but to create a common synergy", says Laurens Ehrmann. Inaugurated at the end of June, the premises have a capacity of seventy people. The workforce fluctuates depending on the projects. The CEO is recruiting entertainment workers specializing in digital special effects. He hopes to bring together around twenty collaborators by the end of 2024.

Developing in Occitania

The studio is one of the 11 winners in Occitanie of the call for projects La grande factory de l’ image of France 2030, aimed at propelling France to the leading European position in digital production. In this context, The Yard VFX has established itself in the Mediterranean arc, "when we spot a pocket of talent, we set up an office there. Opening premises in Montpellier was therefore obvious", explains Laurens Ehrmann. The company is strengthening its growth in Occitanie, in particular through partnerships with local companies ArtFX and Pics studio . The Yard VFX wishes to attract both Montpellier and international artists. Since his return from Canada, Tom Fonvillars has directed the 3D section in Montpellier. The artist cut his teeth in international studios, such as The Mill. He now wishes to support a strong French project with ambition. 

The Yard VFX studio team for the inauguration of the premises in Montpellier DR – Nairi

International recognition

By founding The Yard VFX in 2014, Laurens Ehrmann immediately displayed his international ambition. The studio is developing little by little with the "Minuscule 2" project. Little animated animals on live action shots. In 2019, "Le Mans 66", directed by James Mangold, propelled the studio into the Hollywood spheres. The film won two Oscars. A year after this success, the studio benefits from a growth accelerator: Covid.

L’confinement generates exponential growth in streaming and with it, the increase in the number of projects. "Covid exploded demand and we were ready to respond. Between 2020 and 2021, we went from 10 to 100 employees, increasing our turnover eleven-fold: , declares Laurens Ehrmann. Montpellier becomes essential in terms of cultural and creative industry with this extension. 

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