Karen Jackson Takes the Reins as Barnabas Wornoff Steps Down as TAAFI Chair
Long-time board member assumes leadership in wake of the organization co-founder’s departure; Matthew Celestial named Treasurer, overseeing day-to-day operations.
Category: Jobs & Recruiting
Pixar Layoffs Include ‘Lightyear’ Director and Producer
Disney’s cost-cutting moves have hit the venerable animation studio, as creative fixtures Angus MacLane and Galyn Susman were among 75 employees just let go.
In Business, Films, Jobs & Recruiting, People | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: All
VOLT Studios Names Mike Nelson Animation Director
The Pixel Farm 3D alum brings 10+ years’ experience as an artist and senior animator to support the studio’s expansion of 3D and motion design service offerings.
In 2D, 3D, Business, CG, Commercials, Jobs & Recruiting, People | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: All
Podcast EP 210: ‘Shape Island’ Stop-Motion Animator Brett Long
The Canadian-born artist discusses coming to the U.S. to pursue his career, tips on excelling in TV animation, and if schooling has helped him along the way.
In 3D, CG, Jobs & Recruiting, People, Stop-Motion, Television | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News, Podcast | Geographic Region: All
Career Coach: May Day 2023
May Day! Is your career in distress? Are you making hay? Or is it time to bail?
The VFX & Post Talent Agency Adds 5 to Post Team
Danny Salas, Phil Eldridge, Cory McCrum, James Barham, and Rob Duffield join the company, bringing years of expertise from working on numerous films and TV projects.
In 2D, 3D, Business, CG, Digital Media, Films, Jobs & Recruiting, People, Post-production, Television, Visual Effects | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News, VFXWorld | Geographic Region: All
Henry Selick, Doug Chiang, and Hal Hickel to Speak at VIEW 2023
The stop-motion legend, Lucasfilm executive creative director, and senior ILM animation supervisor, respectively, will head to Turin to deliver a suite of in-person talks and workshops; Italy’s premier international event on Computer Graphics, Interactive Techniques, Digital Cinema, 2D/3D Animation, VR and AR, Gaming, and VFX runs October 15-20.
In 2D, 3D, Business, CG, Digital Media, Education and Training, Event, Films, Games, Jobs & Recruiting, People, Post-production, Previs, Stop-Motion, Technology, Television, Transmedia, Virtual Production, Virtual Reality, Visual Effects | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News, VFXWorld | Blogs: VIEW Conference Spotlight | Geographic Region: Europe
Jellyfish Announces Key Senior Animation Hires
Studio adds industry veterans Louis Flores as VFX supervisor and Chrissy Metge as EP, Animation as it expands to partner on yet-to-be-announced animated feature production.
In 3D, Business, CG, Digital Media, Films, Jobs & Recruiting, People | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News, VFXWorld | Geographic Region: All
Sony Pictures Imageworks Expands to Montreal
VP of New Business Laura Fitzpatrick to helm new office with Senior VP Producer Doug Oddy stepping into her shoes at the Vancouver studio; the company is currently recruiting for all positions at the new state-of-the-art facility opening in Old Montreal.
In 3D, Business, CG, Digital Media, Event, Festival, Films, Jobs & Recruiting, People, Visual Effects | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News, VFXWorld | Geographic Region: North America
Ghost VFX Adds VFX Supervisor Andy Hargreaves
The HPA Award-winning industry veteran brings over 20 years’ experience across commercials, film, and TV with credits on BAFTA Award nominee Emerald City, the Emmy and BAFTA winning series Outlander, and the crime drama Death in Paradise.
In 3D, Business, CG, Digital Media, Films, Jobs & Recruiting, People, Television, Visual Effects | Headline News, VFXWorld | Geographic Region: All
LAIKA Ups CMO David Burke to COO
With the additional title, the studio exec’s responsibilities include all aspects of the company’s operations while he continues to lead brand marketing and film development.
Preymaker Expands West Coast Staff
Creative team hires include Adam Lambert, Roxy Zuckerman, and Michael Reed, with Mattias Andersson joining the studio’s dedicated technology crew.
In 2D, 3D, Business, CG, Commercials, Digital Media, Films, Jobs & Recruiting, People, Technology, Television, Visual Effects | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News, VFXWorld | Geographic Region: North America
Will Studios Move to AI-Generated Scripts During the WGA Strike?
With negotiations at a standstill and no sign of bending on either side, studios may turn to AI to pen scripts in the absence of Hollywood’s writers.
In 2D, 3D, AI, Business, Digital Media, Films, Jobs & Recruiting, People, Technology, Television, Visual Effects, Writing | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News, VFXWorld | Geographic Region: All
Deducers ‘Spark’ Course Kicks off in June
The training program’s blended curriculum teaches early career coordinators and production assistants about roles in creative studios, production team expectations, the language of motion and post-production, and the skills needed to navigate the production process.
In 2D, 3D, Business, CG, Education and Training, Jobs & Recruiting, Motion Graphics, Post-production | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News, VFXWorld | Geographic Region: All
Herne Hill Expands its VFX Business While Supporting Staff Work-Life Balance
Since launching in 2021, the Toronto visual effects studio has seen its talent roster grow to include 35% women across all areas of production and creative leadership, providing rewarding career paths, creative project opportunities, remote work options, and flexible family support that have previously been anything but industry standard.
PNYA Celebrates Expansion of NY’s Post-Production Tax Credit
PPC funding for post increases from $25 million to $45 million and gets extended to 2034; cited studies show the program has contributed $156M to the state’s tax revenue.
WGA Strike Halts Production on Numerous Shows
From Marvel to Netflix, the studios behind a slew of series and films have both voluntarily and involuntarily halted filming as the strike hits its second week, with multiple studios threatening showrunners with salary cuts and potential legal action.
The Fleeting Nature of Competitive Advantage: From Sabermetrics to AI Content Creation
Plus: a big ol’ postscript on how the Writers Guild of America strike will inadvertently boost the utility and quality of ChatGPT.
In AI, Business, Digital Media, Films, Jobs & Recruiting, People, Technology, Television | ANIMATIONWorld, Blog Post | Blogs: Reality Bites | Geographic Region: All
Podcast EP 207: How Tina Nawrocki Is Helping Keep Hand-Drawn Animation Alive
The 2D animator discusses how she creates hand-drawn animation, shares a behind-the-scenes look at her short ‘Syrenka: Legend of the Warsaw Mermaid,’ and talks about the team of women she assembled to help bring her project to life.
DNEG Adds Tom Williams as Managing Director, Episodic
25+ year industry veteran, the former President, VFX at MPC, joins the company’s visual effects division to support and expand production offerings across its growing TV business.
In 3D, Business, CG, Digital Media, Jobs & Recruiting, People, Television, Visual Effects | Headline News, VFXWorld | Geographic Region: All
CAFÉ Reveals 2023 Program
The 2-day event for VFX and animation professionals, running May 16-17 in Quebec, will feature panels, discussions, and presentations by industry leaders from Sony Pictures Imageworks, DNEG, Marvel Studios and DreamWorks Animation.
In 2D, 3D, Business, CG, Digital Media, Education and Training, Event, Films, Jobs & Recruiting, People, Technology, Television, Visual Effects | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News, VFXWorld | Geographic Region: North America
Podcast EP 206: Art Director Matt Haworth and the Animation Industry in New Zealand
The Auckland-based art director and background supervisor discusses the challenges of finding freelance work and building a career in animation in NZ, and shares how he subsequently helped in MukPuddy animation studio’s evolution from a small group to a roster of over 50.
Alkemy X Names Sarah Grieshammer VFX Supervisor
The Cal State LA alum’s credits include ‘Stranger Things,’ ‘The Amazing Spider-Man,’ and ‘The Hunger Games,’ among others.
In 3D, Business, CG, Digital Media, Films, Jobs & Recruiting, People, Visual Effects | Headline News, VFXWorld | Geographic Region: All
BlueBolt Expands Senior Management Team
With co-founders Lucy Ainsworth-Taylor and Angela Barson stepping down from day-to-day operations, the studio welcomes new board members Tracy McCreary, Henry Badgett, and Nic Birmingham.
In 3D, Business, CG, Films, Jobs & Recruiting, People, Television, Visual Effects | Headline News, VFXWorld | Geographic Region: Europe
Disney Layoffs Reach the Animation and Kids Divisions
Disney TV Animation’s SVP of Current Series Khaki Jones and VP of the Kids Unit Claire McCabe have been let go as part of a company-wide initiative to save $5.5 billion in costs.
In Business, Jobs & Recruiting, People, Television | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: All
