Visual effects vet Hael Kobayashi has joined Animal Logic, the Sydney-based visual effects house as digital artists manager to oversee recruiting, training and career development of the studios expanding ranks of digital artists.
Hael brings a huge depth of experience and a passion for growing and supporting artists both within our company and the Australian digital industry generally, said md Zareh Nalbandian. He will be supporting the film and digital media schools and colleges so that we develop talent in a cohesive way and meet the job opportunities being created by companies like Animal Logic.
Most recently, Kobayashi was ILMs director of digital artists production where he held similar responsibilities as a member of their senior staff. He has held a variety of positions at PDI/DreamWorks including line producer, production manager and production supervisor on ANTZ and THE ROAD TO EL DORADO.
Kobayashis background includes a stint as post supervisor for several IMAX productions. He co-founded the Presidential Scholars in the Arts film and video program for the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts in the USA. Kobayashi also chaired the education panel at the Australian Effects and Animation Festival in 2002.
I am excited about the prolific growth in digital media production in Australia in recent times, and particularly Animal Logics commitment to helping shape and further develop the industry, said Kobayashi. Expansion of training programs and support of technical and creative development are key to strengthening an artists ability to grow.
Animal Logic Film is currently in production on HAPPY FEET, a Kennedy Miller production for Warner Bros. The project, under the direction of George Miller (MAD MAX, BABE, BABE: PIG IN THE CITY), is the first digitally animated feature to be produced in Australia. The studio also worked on THE MATRIX RELOADED, MOULIN ROUGE, THE MATRIX and LORD OF THE RINGS: FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING.
