Union Launches Its First International VFX Studio in Montréal

Union is making big moves! The London-based VFX studio is thrilled to announce the opening of its very first international branch in Montréal, Canada. This expansion comes just as Union is about to celebrate its 15th anniversary, marking an exciting milestone for the company as they extend their VFX services to more feature film and high-end TV clients.

Located in a stunning refurbished industrial space called Le Nordelec, nestled between Griffintown and Pointe-Saint-Charles, the new Montréal studio is set to become a key player in the region’s growing VFX scene. With its recruitment drive already in full swing, Union is looking to build a talented Canadian team, hiring for technical, creative, and production roles at all levels.

Founded in 2008 by Adam Gascoyne and Tim Caplan, Union has carved out a reputation as one of the top independent VFX studios in the industry. The company’s success over the years has been driven by its focus on story-led, director-driven projects, which has attracted collaborations with some of the best in the business—think Oscar and BAFTA-winning directors like Martin McDonagh, Danny Boyle, Sam Mendes, and Stephen Frears. From period dramas to dystopian fantasies, Union has tackled a wide range of visually stunning projects.

In recent years, Union has made a serious push into the world of CG, investing heavily in growing its team and delivering impressive work on projects like 'For All Mankind', 'The Irregulars', 'Operation Mincemeat', 'The Wheel of Time', 'Moon Knight', *Pennyworth', and the multi-award-winning 'The Banshees of Inisherin'.

So why Montréal, and why now? Co-founder Tim Caplan explains, “Adam and I come from bigger VFX studios, and when we created Union, our goal was to build a company that combined the best aspects of those experiences with the flexibility and personal touch of an independent studio. After 15 years of success in London, and with the surge in global film and TV projects, we knew the time was right to expand.”

Montréal, as it turns out, was a natural choice. Caplan shared that the decision was actually made pre-pandemic, thanks to the city’s prime location, which allows Union to easily collaborate with clients across multiple time zones. Plus, the local VFX talent pool is top-notch, and the generous tax relief system doesn’t hurt either. Add in the discovery of a fantastic studio space, and it became an easy decision for the Union team. “We’re all incredibly excited about this next chapter,” says Caplan.

And the timing couldn’t be better. Union has just wrapped up work on 'The Power', a thrilling nine-part series set to premiere tomorrow on Amazon (March 31). With this new Montréal studio up and running, Union is ready to take on even more exciting projects in the years to come.

Keep an eye out for what’s next from Union—they’re only getting started!