Project Overview

Open Source Learning Tech Stack

Project Overview

Open Source Learning Tech Stack

Developed a secure, open source-powered training ecosystem to upskill talent and drive production efficiency at Mikros Animation.

Garrett Fry

Global Head of Learning and Development
Strategy & Org Development
Learning Platform Developer
LMS Administrator
Curriculum Design
Leadership & Talent Dev

Garrett's Full Profile

Clients

Mikros Animation

I built MPC Training entirely from the ground up. I established the department from scratch—defining its vision, structure, processes, and tools—to support MPC’s global VFX teams across London, Montreal, Toronto, Bangalore, Mumbai, and Adelaide.
Starting with no formalized training infrastructure, I assembled and led a 45-person team responsible for the end-to-end design, delivery, and evaluation of technical and creative training. Programs spanned onboarding, software skills, workflow-specific coaching, and leadership development.
Designed to align closely with production needs, the training function became a critical partner to creative and operational leadership, helping bridge workflow gaps, accelerate project-readiness, and improve delivery timelines. The initiative also embedded a culture of continuous learning and collaboration across all studios.

To support Mikros Animation’s evolving training goals, I implemented a flexible, open source learning ecosystem tailored for studio needs. Designed to run on an internal network without internet access, the system enables seamless course management, video delivery, and collaborative documentation — all while integrating securely with existing studio infrastructure and identity systems. This full-stack solution empowers artists and teams across the globe with scalable tools for continuous learning, aligned with real-world production workflows.

Learning Challenge

Delivering secure, high-performance training with open source tools.

Studio-Grade Security

Training ran on an isolated network with no internet access. Open source tools gave Mikros full control over deployment and data, ensuring strict security and compliance.

Scalable Talent Development

To meet creative demands and tight timelines, Mikros needed a training system that supported onboarding and upskilling—without vendor lock-in or licensing limits.

Customization and Integration

Moodle, PeerTube, and BookStack were tailored to match Mikros' workflows and branding. Their open architecture allowed smooth integration and a consistent learner experience.

Long-Term Sustainability

Open source tools removed licensing fees and gave Mikros internal control to maintain and evolve the system—supporting long-term flexibility and cost savings.

Learning Management System

Moodle

Mikros’ version of Moodle was customized to deliver structured, role-specific training paths for artists, production staff, and technical teams. It hosted internal courses, assessments, and tracking tools, enabling department leads and L&D teams to monitor progress and performance—all within a secure, offline environment.

Video Streaming Platform

PeerTube

PeerTube served as a private, YouTube-style hub for pre-recorded training videos, including masterclasses, quick tips, and workflow tutorials. Integrated into Moodle and BookStack, it allowed Mikros to share high-quality, searchable video content securely, with no external hosting.

Documentation Platform

BookStack

BookStack housed Mikros’ internal guides, SOPs, and workflow documentation in a structured, searchable format. It was branded and organized to align with studio pipelines, and tightly integrated with Moodle and PeerTube, providing artists and teams with on-demand reference materials linked to their training.

Doc Pages Sorted	8,000+
Doc Spaces Restructured	26

Learning Technology

Delivering open source tools with the reliability, scalability, and security of a studio-grade solution.

To meet Mikros Animation’s technical and security standards, each platform in the open source learning stack was deployed with enterprise-level architecture in mind. From authentication and data protection to global access and disaster recovery, the system was designed for real-world production environments—fully secure, fully scalable, and fully under studio control.

LDAP Integration

Seamless single sign-on experience for all users, allowing login with existing studio credentials and centralized access control.

Secure Network Compliance

Installed entirely within Mikros’ isolated production network and passed internal security compliance checks for data protection and access control.

Global Network Reach

Optimized for multi-site access across international locations, enabling consistent learning experiences for distributed teams.

Backup & Recovery

Local, automated backup system with recovery procedures in place—ensuring training data is protected and easily restorable.

Learning Reporting

Transparent reporting—unlocking the full potential of the open source stack.

Custom reporting integrations built into the open source stack offered executives, business leaders, and stakeholders real-time visibility into training engagement, course progress, and overall program impact. These insights promoted accountability, informed decision-making, and helped keep distributed teams aligned on talent development goals.

Reporting Dashboards

Live dashboards pulled data directly from the open source platforms to track training metrics and progress, giving executives, business leaders, and stakeholders transparent insights into workforce development and program impact.

Reporting Intraweb Site

A central knowledge-sharing hub for high-level leadership. The site outlined ongoing training projects, timelines, and priorities—ensuring transparency and alignment across departments and global locations.