In attendance were the directors of animation from major companies: The Framestore and Cinesite’s, Mike Eames and Quentin Miles; lead effects developers Rob Pieke and Damien Fagnou from The Moving Picture Company; Sean Feeney who is an Fx producer from Absolute Post; Dave Moore, Director on BBC’s forthcoming second series of Merlin; Carrie Rishel, fx producer of Beverley Hills Chihuahua; ace animator Craig Bardsely, who animated the amazing lifelike baby in Children of Men; Robin Konieczy the digital artist responsible for creating the awesome Pantheon in Angels and Demons and Steve Flack, producer from Ink Digital which is completing Bellville Rendezvous director Sylvain Choumet’s next animated feature.
This wealth of professional talent watched the final films and show reels of Kent Msc students and gave them in depth advice and pointers on their future careers. Several students received recomendations and invitations to apply for professional positions.
The graduation show was a great success and is planned to be an annual event. Steve Flack who also audits the courses said:
“This is exactly the forum for professional contacts these aspiring Fx artists and animators need. These courses provide just about the best preparation for the post-production industry available in the UK.”