Montreal: Monique Huberdeau, a partner and executive producer with Montreal commercial house Productions Diva, has set up her own operation, Les Productions Monique Huberdeau. Diva announced last month it would be closing its doors after 10 years.

Productions Monique Huberdeux’s first two shoots, are set for this week, French 30s for General Mills’ Oatmeal and Shave Gel Soft Sense.

Both dates are being shot at the Moliflex/White studio and are out of agency Auger Babeau/fcb. Daniel Jaros is directing on both, with Jean-Charles Tremblay on board as dop.

Huberdeau says Diva staff members, including producer Francois Forgues and house production director Pierre Duceppe, were given verbal notice by Diva in mid-March that the company was closing its doors.

‘So I hired them March 21,’ she says.

Diva staff directors include Arto Parajamian, director of the feature film Because Why, and Marc Soulard, known for his music video direction of artists such as Roch Voisine and Raymond St-Jean.

Avde Chiriaeff, a director, veteran film editor and post-production director, remains contracted to Diva until June 5, after which time he’ll move to Huberdeau for representation.

Huberdeau also works with a number of freelance directors including Jaros, J.C. Lord and Andre Melancon.

She says she holds shares in Diva, but adds the matter is unresolved.

The new company will have its official launch in August when it moves to permanent premises. But for the time being, Productions Monique Huberdeau offices are located at 410 rue St-Nicolas in Old Montreal.