Press release from the NSW Government
Minister for the Arts Virginia Judge today announced five talented young digital screen artists have been given traineeships through the NSW Government Visual Effects Placement Scheme.
Ms Judge said the artists have been placed with leading film and television post, digital and visual effects companies, including the new Kennedy Miller facility Dr D studios.
“The NSW Government is committed to supporting emerging young talent in the digital film and television industry,” she said.
“The Visual Effects (VFX) Placement Scheme, an initiative of Screen NSW, has placed 64 trainees over the past decade – most of whom have gone on to successful careers in the rapidly developing and technologically innovative post production and visual effects industry.
“These five new placements will have amazing opportunities to work on big budget film and television productions in Australia and internationally.
“This is a tremendous career boost in one of the most exciting industries in the world.”
The five VFX Placement Scheme trainees are:
• Owen Longstaff, Compositing – Fuel International;
Owen has a BA in Digital Arts (Honours) from Australian National University and a Certificate II in 3D Electronic Animation, Canberra Institute of Technology. Owen has worked in the film and television industry compositing, rotoscoping and carrying out title sequence design.
• Daniel Flood, 3D Artist – Animal Logic;
Daniel has a BA in Visual Arts from Australian National University and has had previous experience with digital concept paintings for theatre and comic book art.
• Tristan Connors, 3D Artist – Animal Logic;
Tristan has a Diploma of 3D Animation & Digital Effects from Enmore Design Centre (TAFE) and a Diploma of Graphic/Web Design from Nepean Arts & Design Centre (TAFE). He has worked previously in rotoscoping and 3D modeling for TVCs and in the computer and gaming retail sales industry.
• Ray Leung, 3D Artist – Rising Sun Pictures; and
Ray has a BA in Digital Media from UNSW College of Fine Arts. Ray is focused on 3D modeling, animation and image composition and is working as a freelance 3D artist.
• Raksha Burman, Animation – Dr D Studios.
Raksha has an Advanced Diploma in 2D and 3D Animation, Toonz Webel Academy, India; a five year Certificate course in Fine Arts, Tantri Art School, India; and a BA Mass Communication & Video Production, St. Xavier’s College, India. She has been working for several years for Arpin International Sydney, an interior design company, and has previous animation experience working at Crest Animation Studios in India.
Ms Judge said NSW is home to some of the world’s top post, digital and visual effects companies which provide many highly skilled and highly paid jobs.
“The NSW Government is working closely with the screen industry sector to ensure it continues to expand and provide increasing numbers of jobs,” Ms Judge said.
“Over the past decade, 18 NSW companies have participated in the VFX Placement Scheme.
“It is one of the incentives the Keneally Government is investing in to make sure we have people with the skills and training to be part of this exciting industry.”
Companies that have participated since 1998 are: Animal Logic, Ambience Entertainment, Brilliant Ideas Interactive, Complete Post, Dfilm, Digital Pictures, Dr D Studios, Emerald City, Fin Design + Effects, Forest Interactive, Frame Set Match, Fuel International, Garner MacLennan Design, Kotij,
The Lab at Sydney, postmodern, Rising Sun Pictures and Zspace.