Montreal: Internationally acclaimed feature film and commercial director Jean-Claude Lauzon has joined Figaro Films as a director and partner in the company.

‘Lauzon is a demanding, independent spirit, a very creative character who comes from a small market but has succeeded in building an international reputation,’ says Michel Sarao, president of the two-year-old commercial production house.

He adds that Lauzon’s high energy level and willingness to work with and coach new talent will be major assets for Figaro.

Sarao hopes Lauzon, whose commercial credits include O’Keefe and Bell Canada, will shoot between 10 to 15 days in the year ahead.

Lauzon’s experience in feature film production and his new marriage with Figaro point to new business horizons for the quickly expanding company, including long-form international drama production.

Lauzon’s first feature film, Un zoo la nuit, was a multiple Genie Award winner, including best picture, while Leolo, his controversial coming-of-age film, won numerous awards internationally and did good business in a number of European markets.

Figaro has also announced the signing of two other prominent directors, Steve Chase, who is exclusive to the Quebec market, and Andy Morahan, who is represented throughout Canada.

Chase, a native Montrealer, is considered one of Canada’s top directors. He recently completed a slick motion-control spot for Black Label and BCP Strategie Creativite creative director Rene-Michel Vachon.

Morahan, based out of London, Eng. where he works with Ridley Scott and Associates, is recognized as one of the top music video directors in the world. Recent assignments include directing clips for singer Michael Jackson and rock bad boys Guns N’ Roses.

Morahan spent a good portion of the last year in Montreal directing the $34 million Transfilm science-fiction feature Highlander III: The Magician.

‘Internationally established directors like Chase and Morahan haven’t signed with a Quebec house for the money, but for the chance to do some interesting boards and work with people they like,’ says Sarao.

Other directors recently signed to the expanded Figaro roster include Martin Ouellette, a young copywriter with agency Cossette Communication-Marketing, Leslie Robson-Foster, a successful director based in New York City, newcomer Dario De Gregorio and long-established Montreal commercial stills photographer Monic Richard.

Directors on staff include director/dop Glenn Bydwell, Richard Ciupka, who has just completed directing the $8 million Canada/France Mourir d’amour tv series, u.s. director Gil Cope, Claude Brie and David MacNally. Producers include Pierre Caumartin, ex of Pirate Films, and Sylvie Dube, former executive producer with the now-defunct Films 24.

Figaro partners are Sarao, executive producer Benoit Perriau, director Cosimo Cavallaro and Lauzon.

In joining Figaro, Lauzon ends a long association with Cinelande, Montreal.

Sarao says Figaro should log between 65 to 70 shooting days in 1994, up from 40-plus last year.

Figaro will move to a new location at the end of the month. The address is 3451 boul St.-Laurent, Suite 300.