Press release from TMPublicity
Minister for the Arts Virginia Judge last week announced traineeships for five talented young digital screen artists through the Screen NSW Visual Effects Placement Scheme.
Ms Judge made the announcement on the set of East West 101 – a flagship drama for SBS created by Knapman Wyld Television.
The five VFX Placement Scheme trainees are:
Colin Ware, 3D Artist – Fuel VFX;
Amanda Lee, 3D Artist and Animator – FSM;
Melanie Cook, Concept/Storyboard Artist – Flying Bark Productions;
Lissa Pascale Brown, 3D Artist – Dr. D Studios;
Brad Roddy, Compositor – Dr. D Studios.
Ms Judge said the artists have been placed with leading film and television post, digital and visual effects companies, including the digital production studio behind Happy Feet 2, Dr D studios.
“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,” Ms Judge said.
“The Keneally Government is investing in emerging talent to grow the skills and experience that the screen industry needs for tomorrow.
“The Visual Effects (VFX) Placement Scheme, an initiative of Screen NSW, has placed 69 trainees over the past decade – most of whom have gone on to successful careers in the dynamic and rapidly changing post production and visual effects industry.
“These five new placements will have the opportunity to work on some of the most creatively and technically challenging Australian and international screen projects.”
Maria Luchini of Flying Bark Productions endorsed the investment.
“Being able to develop trainees with the ultimate outcome of encouraging new talent within our Industry is a privileged position to be in,” Maria Luchini said.
More than one million dollars in support has been provided over the past decade to 16 companies that have participated in the Scheme, including Animal Logic, Dr. D Studios, Rising Sun Pictures, The Lab, Flying Bark Productions, Fuel International, Fin Design + Effects, FSM, and Postmodern.
East West 101 has received local and international recognition, winning a Gold Medal for Best Mini-series at the New York Festivals International Television and Film Awards, three awards at the Accolade Film, Television, New Media & Videography Awards in Los Angeles, as well as multiple AFI and Logie awards.
“The NSW Government is a proud supporter of East West 101 and we’re excited that it will be returning to our screens in 2011 for its third season,” Ms Judge said.
“Screen NSW has invested $1,000,000 across the three series to date – leveraging NSW expenditure of close to $16 million.”