LIAF presents the 2024 UK Animation Industry Event – 8 panels giving insider access to some of the hottest topics of the year. We’ve gathered together some of the most passionate, honest and insightful experts from a wide range of different areas and backgrounds who are ready to cover all manner of vital topics to give you much food for thought.
Animation doesn’t stand still; and debates and discussions with animators and creative experts are the best way to get in touch with what’s happening. The panels will be chaired by Saint John Walker, Postgraduate Media Programme Leader, University of Hertfordshire and Julian Scott, animation consultant at Film London.
For anyone currently working in the film and animation industry, thinking of working in the industry or just plain curious, these 8 events are indispensable. They are free to everyone and take place live and online on our streaming platform over the 2 days of Saturday November 30 and Sunday December 1.
Talks with the UK Animation Companies conquering the world: DNEG Animation
Come and hear about the UK’s best animation companies, what they do and how they consistently create such great work.
DNEG Animation is a world-class animation studio that creates captivating stories and compelling characters through beautiful animation. Built on the passion and talents of their team, they help bring unique worlds to life. From complex graphic novel adaptations to beautifully-stylised films, they are dedicated to furthering the craft of animation. Recent and upcoming projects include The Angry Birds Movie 3, The Cat in the Hat, Bad Fairies, The Garfield Movie, Nimona, That Christmas, Under the Boardwalk, Entergalactic, and Ron’s Gone Wrong. DNEG Animation is part of DNEG, a world-leading visual entertainment services company for the creation of feature film, television, and multiplatform content, with worldwide offices and studios across North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia.
Curated and Chaired by Saint John Walker, Postgraduate Media Programme Leader, University of Hertfordshire.
Panellists
Chair: Saint John Walker, Postgraduate Media Programme Leader, University of Hertfordshire
Saint John Walker is the Programme Leader for postgraduate media at the UK’s University of Hertfordshire and a leading VFX educationalist with over 25 years of experience of teaching and training in the games, animation and VFX industries. Most recently Saint was Dean and Director of Industry Engagement at the UK’s Escape Studios and previous to that he designed, initiated and ran the VFX degree course at Norwich University of the Arts for four years. Saint is an active member of Access:VFX. Saint is also the convenor, designer and chair of the popular Industry panels at the London International Animation Festival each year. In 2024 he has chaired and taken part in panel discussions at the View conference in Turin, the Viborg Animation Festival and FMX, Stuttgart.
Kara Oropallo, VP of Training, Outreach, and Artistic Development
Kara is passionate about connecting animation artists and managers with the tools and networks they need to succeed — both at the start of their careers and throughout their professional journeys. Kara spends half of her time talking up DNEG Animation and its fantastic people at industry events and schools, and the other half of her time internally structuring and delivering training programmes that support their workforce. Prior to joining DNEG, Kara conducted workshops and training programmes with numerous studios, including DreamWorks Animation (Feature & TV), Netflix Animation, Skydance Animation, Paramount Animation, Reel FX Animation, and Mikros Animation. She also co-hosts You’ll Think of Something, a creative management podcast that provides a space for focused discussion on how to be a productive creative person on a team, in your own personal work, and in your life!
Crosby Clyse, Managing Director
Crosby joined DNEG Animation in 2016, and has since been an integral part of guiding the division’s growth and development. As the previous Head of Production, he was instrumental in defining the pipeline and processes of the new division. Crosby has overseen the delivery of all shows to date, from Ron’s Gone Wrong, Entergalactic and Nimona, to Under the Boardwalk, That Christmas, and highly anticipated, The Garfield Movie. As the division’s Managing Director, Crosby manages the DNEG Animation global team and its growing slate of projects. Focused on quality, Crosby empowers his team to deliver the highest level of work, creating unique and distinct looks for every project that they undertake. Guided by his passion for collaboration, the team continues to push the boundaries in character animation and beyond. Prior to DNEG, Clyse was at Pixar, where his work can be seen on shows such as Onward, Finding Dory, The Good Dinosaur and Brave.
Philippe Denis, Creative Director
Philippe is the Creative Director of DNEG Animation. He oversees the creative output of the division’s teams globally, while also developing the long-term strategy for the creative direction of the division. While at DNEG Animation, Philippe previously worked as VFX Supervisor on the division’s first full-length feature, Ron’s Gone Wrong, and served as VFX Supervisor on the animated musical comedy, Under The Boardwalk, for Paramount Pictures. Prior to joining DNEG Animation in 2017, Philippe spent nearly two decades of his 25+ year career at DreamWorks Animation in California. While there, he served as a CG Supervisor on projects such as Madagascar, Over the Hedge, and Shrek the Third. He also served as VFX Supervisor for beloved animated movies such as Megamind, Mr. Peabody and Sherman, and Trolls.
Marcus Kurtz, VP of Animation Technology
Joining the DNEG team from Dreamworks Animation, Markus’ illustrious career in animation technology includes credits on shows such as Happy Feet, Life of Pi, The Boss Baby and How to Train Your Dragon: Hidden World. With 24 years of creative and technical experience in high-end, award-winning animated features and VFX productions, Markus has developed an extensive track record managing projects and teams in fast-evolving, dynamic and challenging production environments. Beginning his career as a Technical Animator and FX Artist on projects including How the Grinch Stole Christmas and Titanic, Markus developed a strong technical knowledge early on in his career. This, coupled with his leadership experience, led to several key management positions such as Vice President, Production Technology at Rhythm & Hues and Production Technology Executive at Dreamworks Animation. Other titles in Markus’ credits list include Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Rings, Trolls: World Tour, Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters, and X-Men: First Class. In addition to his extensive film credits, Markus has served frequently on the Digital Imaging Technology Subcommittee for the annual Scientific and Technology awards investigations of AMPAS (the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences).
LIAF presents the 2024 UK Animation Industry Event – 8 panels giving insider access to some of the hottest topics of the year. We’ve gathered together some of the most passionate, honest and insightful experts from a wide range of different areas and backgrounds who are ready to cover all manner of vital topics to give you much food for thought.
Animation doesn’t stand still; and debates and discussions with animators and creative experts are the best way to get in touch with what’s happening. The panels will be chaired by Saint John Walker, Postgraduate Media Programme Leader, University of Hertfordshire and Julian Scott, animation consultant at Film London.
For anyone currently working in the film and animation industry, thinking of working in the industry or just plain curious, these 8 events are indispensable. They are free to everyone and take place live and online on our streaming platform over the 2 days of Saturday November 30 and Sunday December 1.
Talks with the UK Animation Companies conquering the world: DNEG Animation
Come and hear about the UK’s best animation companies, what they do and how they consistently create such great work.
DNEG Animation is a world-class animation studio that creates captivating stories and compelling characters through beautiful animation. Built on the passion and talents of their team, they help bring unique worlds to life. From complex graphic novel adaptations to beautifully-stylised films, they are dedicated to furthering the craft of animation. Recent and upcoming projects include The Angry Birds Movie 3, The Cat in the Hat, Bad Fairies, The Garfield Movie, Nimona, That Christmas, Under the Boardwalk, Entergalactic, and Ron’s Gone Wrong. DNEG Animation is part of DNEG, a world-leading visual entertainment services company for the creation of feature film, television, and multiplatform content, with worldwide offices and studios across North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia.
Curated and Chaired by Saint John Walker, Postgraduate Media Programme Leader, University of Hertfordshire.
Panellists
Chair: Saint John Walker, Postgraduate Media Programme Leader, University of Hertfordshire
Saint John Walker is the Programme Leader for postgraduate media at the UK’s University of Hertfordshire and a leading VFX educationalist with over 25 years of experience of teaching and training in the games, animation and VFX industries. Most recently Saint was Dean and Director of Industry Engagement at the UK’s Escape Studios and previous to that he designed, initiated and ran the VFX degree course at Norwich University of the Arts for four years. Saint is an active member of Access:VFX. Saint is also the convenor, designer and chair of the popular Industry panels at the London International Animation Festival each year. In 2024 he has chaired and taken part in panel discussions at the View conference in Turin, the Viborg Animation Festival and FMX, Stuttgart.
Kara Oropallo, VP of Training, Outreach, and Artistic Development
Kara is passionate about connecting animation artists and managers with the tools and networks they need to succeed — both at the start of their careers and throughout their professional journeys. Kara spends half of her time talking up DNEG Animation and its fantastic people at industry events and schools, and the other half of her time internally structuring and delivering training programmes that support their workforce. Prior to joining DNEG, Kara conducted workshops and training programmes with numerous studios, including DreamWorks Animation (Feature & TV), Netflix Animation, Skydance Animation, Paramount Animation, Reel FX Animation, and Mikros Animation. She also co-hosts You’ll Think of Something, a creative management podcast that provides a space for focused discussion on how to be a productive creative person on a team, in your own personal work, and in your life!
Crosby Clyse, Managing Director
Crosby joined DNEG Animation in 2016, and has since been an integral part of guiding the division’s growth and development. As the previous Head of Production, he was instrumental in defining the pipeline and processes of the new division. Crosby has overseen the delivery of all shows to date, from Ron’s Gone Wrong, Entergalactic and Nimona, to Under the Boardwalk, That Christmas, and highly anticipated, The Garfield Movie. As the division’s Managing Director, Crosby manages the DNEG Animation global team and its growing slate of projects. Focused on quality, Crosby empowers his team to deliver the highest level of work, creating unique and distinct looks for every project that they undertake. Guided by his passion for collaboration, the team continues to push the boundaries in character animation and beyond. Prior to DNEG, Clyse was at Pixar, where his work can be seen on shows such as Onward, Finding Dory, The Good Dinosaur and Brave.
Philippe Denis, Creative Director
Philippe is the Creative Director of DNEG Animation. He oversees the creative output of the division’s teams globally, while also developing the long-term strategy for the creative direction of the division. While at DNEG Animation, Philippe previously worked as VFX Supervisor on the division’s first full-length feature, Ron’s Gone Wrong, and served as VFX Supervisor on the animated musical comedy, Under The Boardwalk, for Paramount Pictures. Prior to joining DNEG Animation in 2017, Philippe spent nearly two decades of his 25+ year career at DreamWorks Animation in California. While there, he served as a CG Supervisor on projects such as Madagascar, Over the Hedge, and Shrek the Third. He also served as VFX Supervisor for beloved animated movies such as Megamind, Mr. Peabody and Sherman, and Trolls.
Marcus Kurtz, VP of Animation Technology
Joining the DNEG team from Dreamworks Animation, Markus’ illustrious career in animation technology includes credits on shows such as Happy Feet, Life of Pi, The Boss Baby and How to Train Your Dragon: Hidden World. With 24 years of creative and technical experience in high-end, award-winning animated features and VFX productions, Markus has developed an extensive track record managing projects and teams in fast-evolving, dynamic and challenging production environments. Beginning his career as a Technical Animator and FX Artist on projects including How the Grinch Stole Christmas and Titanic, Markus developed a strong technical knowledge early on in his career. This, coupled with his leadership experience, led to several key management positions such as Vice President, Production Technology at Rhythm & Hues and Production Technology Executive at Dreamworks Animation. Other titles in Markus’ credits list include Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Rings, Trolls: World Tour, Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters, and X-Men: First Class. In addition to his extensive film credits, Markus has served frequently on the Digital Imaging Technology Subcommittee for the annual Scientific and Technology awards investigations of AMPAS (the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences).