SP Studios Appoints Ben Valiquette as EP and COO to Fuel Next Phase of Virtual Production Growth

Toronto-based virtual production company SP Studios has appointed Ben Valiquette as executive producer and chief operating officer, strengthening its senior leadership team as demand for virtual production and in-camera VFX continues to accelerate.

The appointment comes at a moment of rapid growth for SP Studios, which has become best known as home to Canada’s highest-resolution LED virtual production stage. The studio offers agencies, brands and filmmakers the ability to build and capture photoreal environments – everything from sprawling cityscapes to stadium crowds, the interiors of an airport or a supermarket – without ever leaving the studio floor.

Ben brings extensive experience across VFX, post-production and creative operations, joining the company at what he describes as a pivotal moment for both the studio and the industry.

“SP Studios is where film and television production are going in this country, and I’m excited to be a part of it,” said Ben. “Virtual production not only expands creative possibilities, it stretches budgets and reduces carbon emissions, which is exactly what global brands are asking for.”

In his role as COO, Ben will focus on optimising operations, developing talent and scaling SP Studios’ expanding footprint across commercial and entertainment work.

The studio’s facility includes a 76-foot-wide cyclorama, in-house motion-control systems, an e-commerce photography studio, and a comprehensive camera, lighting and grip package, positioning it as a hub for high-end commercials and music videos, as well as emerging entertainment formats.

The impact of virtual production on efficiency and cost has already been felt by clients. For a recent AMEX Business Platinum campaign, SP Studios’ virtual art department built multiple environments including an airport, warehouse and modern boardroom, enabling the entire commercial to be filmed in a single day. Shot traditionally on location, the production would have exceeded $1 million but, instead, the team delivered the creative at a fraction of the cost while dramatically simplifying logistics and reducing material waste.

Most recently, SP Studios created a full Rogers Centre environment in Unreal Engine for a Diamond x TD x Toronto Blue Jays campaign, further cementing the studio’s position at the forefront of next-generation storytelling.

Talking to LBB, founder Khasan Aripov spoke of how this new appointment marks an important step forward for the company. “Ben brings years of VFX and management experience that perfectly complement the ambitions of SP Studios,” he said. “His leadership will be a key ingredient as we continue to scale, innovate and deepen our relationships across Canada and the US.”