Maarten Francq

Maarten Francq trained as an industrial designer, but through a ManaMA in Multimedia and Vitrual Reality he quickly made the leap to designing and controlling complex video systems for festivals and large events. As a VJ and video artist, balancing on the edge between art and technology, he has worked worldwide on projects such as Tomorrowland Atlanta (US), the Sjarjah Light Festival (UAE) and the Ghent Light Festival (BE). In the music industry, he has worked on stage show concepts for Marco Borsato (NL), Robbie Williams (UK) and Titziano Ferro (IT), among others.

Since the technology developed within the live entertainment industry has also entered the broadcast world, he has been very actively involved in the development of extended reality applications, proof-of-concepts and world’s firsts in the virtual production area. With Disguise, Notch, Resolume and Touchdesigner as his main tools. Driven by a desire to spread knowledge, Maarten Francq became head of program at the Royal Institute for Theatre, Cinema and Sound in Brussels for the Professional Bachelor of Audiovisual Techniques and in that capacity, together with the entire team, rewrote the entire curriculum in order to incorporate this technology shift in the programme.

Later on, while still working in the industry, he became a researcher plugging audiovisual proof-of-concepts in the market, mostly focusing on data, protocols and inter-disciplinary showcontrol. This research led to starting a PhD in ‘AI in Live Entertainment’ since October 24 and the release of two fully AI generated videoclips for Belgian’s famous artist DAAN. Driven by a passion for the audiovisual arts and technology used to drive experiences, Maarten had been involved in numerous mentorshipprojects, launching and supporting young talent in the industry.