Carbon Chicago Adds Award-Winning Colourist Julien Biard

Full-service creative studio Carbon has bolstered its roster in Chicago by welcoming multiple award-winning colourist Julien Biard as senior colourist.

With over a decade of experience in London, Biard joins Carbon after honing his craft in London at MPC and Finish/Freefolk, working alongside industry greats Jean-Clément Soret and Paul Harrison. During his tenure at Freefolk, Biard won a number of awards for best colour grading, collaborating with directors such as Guy Ritchie and Crowns & Owls, ultimately helping to cement his reputation in a highly competitive market. Looking for a new challenge, Biard went freelance in 2017, continuing to work for premier directors at major production companies like Agile, Iconoclast and Pulse Films. 

Born and educated in the Alps region of France, Biard initially pursued a promising soccer career, until, in his late teens he turned towards academic study, graduating in 2005 from the engineering school of Lyon. Throughout his prolific career, which includes commercials, fashion films, music videos and film/TV work, Biard has collaborated with many renowned brands including Volvo, Samsung, The National Trust, Carhartt, and Ted Baker. His music video credits include promos for Run the Jewels, Basement Jaxx, Royal Blood, and Jungle, to name a few.  He was awarded two Kinsale Shark awards for best colour grade for Royal Blood “Out of the Black” by David Wilson at Blink, and National Trust “Love the Coast” by Thomas Bryant at Agile Films.  Another best colour award for Ted Baker “Wonders Never Cease”, by Iconoclast directors Crowns & Owls, was bestowed at the Berlin Aesthetica short film festival, and he provided colour for the 2015 Cannes Double Grand Prix-winning Volvo 'Life Paint' for Grey London.

“Our head of colour Aubrey Woodiwiss recommended Julien to me,” says Carbon Partner/ Executive Producer Frank Devlin. “When we met in New York we hit it off immediately, I knew he’d be a great addition to our colour department.” On his decision to join Carbon’s stellar colour team Biard says: “I found myself attracted to the spirit and dynamism of Carbon, the quality of the work achieved, and their association with some of the most prestigious advertising campaigns in the industry. What I saw in Carbon was a company packed with talent and creative minds, combined with huge experience.”

In addition to the exciting career opportunities on the horizon, Biard is looking forward to exploring a new city landscape and getting into the great American outdoors. “When I first came to Chicago I got a really good vibe from the city. I can’t wait to explore, and dive deeper into both the city and the work. I’m attracted to Chicago’s dramatic and intricate urban landscapes as well as its history, and I’m very much looking forward to experiencing it fully.”

According to Carbon Managing Director Phil Linturn, Biard’s unique experience and magnetic personality will bring their own significant value to the company. “An artist of Julien’s pedigree at Carbon Chicago effectively changes the landscape of colour grading in the city,” says Linturn. “Trained in arguably one of the most highly acclaimed colour departments in the world, Julien has forged a highly creative and decorated career for himself. I’m equally excited for our clients to get to experience his enthusiasm for his craft as I am for them to witness his grading skills.”