Nicola's fascinating journey in the captivating world of cinema began with his academic endeavors in the fields of filmmaking and communication studies at the highly respected Université du Québec à Montréal, where he skillfully honed his artistic talents and developed a strong foundation in traditional animation, alongside a rigorous curriculum that demanded his full attention and dedication.
Nicola's illustrious tenure as a layout artist and 2D animator, spanning an impressive decade from 1993 to 1999, was marked by a profound and lasting impact on the television series animation industry, with a notable presence that transcended geographical boundaries, extending from Canada to Europe, a testament to his unwavering dedication and unrelenting passion for his craft.
Nicola's remarkable creative aptitude and unwavering commitment enabled him to undertake the dual roles of director and animator for his debut independent animated short film, "The Star Eater", a mesmerizing four-minute fantasy narrative that underwent a meticulous development process spanning approximately four years, from 1996 to 2000.
Nicola's foray into professional directing began during the 2002-2003 period, a pivotal moment that would have a lasting impact on her career trajectory. This inaugural foray took the shape of an animated film, specifically a 22-minute Christmas special, titled "Noël Noël", which was meticulously produced by the esteemed National Film Board of Canada, a renowned organization that has long been recognized for its exceptional output.
Nicola's career trajectory underwent a significant shift in the year 2006, as he made a remarkably smooth transition to the role of story artist, marking a new chapter in his professional journey.
As a story artist, Nicola played a vital and instrumental part in the creative process, lending his expertise to the development of storyboards for two highly acclaimed animated films, namely "Rio" and "Epic".
Both films were produced by the esteemed animation studio, Blue Sky Pictures, a renowned entity in the industry, further solidifying Nicola's reputation as a talented and versatile creative professional.
Nicola's creative endeavors extended beyond his work at Blue Sky Pictures, as he concurrently devoted his attention to directing animated shorts for the esteemed National Film Board of Canada, a renowned organization dedicated to producing and disseminating high-quality, thought-provoking film content.
During this period, Nicola's artistic versatility was showcased as he took on the direction of not one, but two animated shorts, both of which bore the intriguing titles "Private Eyes" and "No Fish Where to Go".
Nicola's creative endeavors continued to flourish with the production of his second short film, "No Fish Where to Go", which ultimately garnered a distinguished accolade at the renowned Annecy animation festival in France. The Fipresci prize, a prestigious honor, was bestowed upon this outstanding animation, serving as a testament to Nicola's remarkable storytelling prowess and his exceptional skill in weaving captivating narratives through the medium of animation.
Nicola has been investing a substantial portion of his time and energy into the creative direction of his debut CGI animated feature film, a long-awaited project that has been in various stages of development for a considerable period of time.
