The French directing collective brings to the company a hybrid AI-driven and handcrafted production approach rooted in research and technical development.
Psyop has added French directing collective Meat Dept. to its global creative network, expanding its roster with a duo known for combining bespoke AI systems with handcrafted visual techniques.
Meat Dept., recognized for a hyper-tactile and cinematic aesthetic, has developed a production approach that integrates custom AI pipelines with stylized artistry. Their credits include dystopian episode work on Love, Death + Robots and the fully 3D title sequence for Duster, reflecting a consistent visual identity built on technical precision and character-driven storytelling.
"Meat Dept. has developed a truly distinctive voice," said Andrew Linsk, EP and Head of Global Partnerships at Psyop. "Their approach treats technology as a partner in the narrative process, their willingness to experiment with a forward-facing mindset aligns closely with Psyop’s vision for the future."
Founded by David Nicolas and Kevin Van Der Meiren, who first connected during the production of Rubber, the collective evolved from collaborations in music videos and experimental digital art into a studio focused on research-driven workflows and technical innovation.
"We’ve always thought of Meat Dept. as a laboratory," the collective said. "Our goal is not simply to adopt new tools, but to shape them into something that serves our goals. What excites us most about joining Psyop is the shared respect for creativity without limits. This partnership gives us the opportunity to scale the work while staying true to what makes it ours."
The studio continues to refine hybrid pipelines that merge human-made assets with AI-assisted processes, supported by ongoing research and development. Their workflow emphasizes testing, reverse-engineering tools, and building custom systems tailored to each project, with techniques developed until they fully support creative intent.
With the addition of Meat Dept., Psyop extends its focus on supporting directors who treat emerging technology as part of the creative process, aligning both studios around developing new forms of visual storytelling that combine evolving tools with traditional craft.
For more than 25 years, Psyop has operated as a global creative studio working across disciplines and platforms, with teams based in cities including New York, Los Angeles, London, Paris, Tokyo, and São Paulo.
Source: Psyop
Dan Sarto is Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Animation World Network.
