Media Release

Thursday, 18 May 2006

Want to get into the highly-competitive digital animation industry? Circle Thursday, 25 May in your diary.

That's the night that key visual effects experts will make up a panel at the University of Adelaide to review show reel submissions and provide tips to budding newcomers.

"Breaking into the Digital Design Industry" will feature guest speaker Wayne Lewis, the founding member and director of Rising Sun Pictures (RSP), an internationally acclaimed visual effects company.

RSP has contributed to Academy Award-winning visual effects on Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, and also won awards for The Last Samurai.

Its impressive list of digital animation credits includes Batman Begins, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, and the upcoming Superman Returns and Charlotte's Web.

For Harry Potter, RSP created the fire within the goblet and the surrounding age line, completing 48 shots in total for the film. Other work included the Durmstrang Firebird shots, the casket which holds the goblet and the Tri-Wizard cup.

Mr Lewis will be joined on the panel by Andrew Kunzel, the managing director of Rocketsquad, another digital animation and visual effects company based in Adelaide.

Participants on the night will be invited to present their show reel submissions, which will be critiqued by the panel of industry experts.

"This is a fantastic opportunity for those interested in a career in the digital media industry to front the best talent in Australia," said Dr Dean Bruton, Director of the Digital Media Program at the University of Adelaide.

"This is a very tough industry to break into and the first 20 seconds of your show reel need to make an impact," Dr Bruton said.

MEDIA NOTE: Media are welcome to attend the event. Please RSVP to Dr Dean Bruton on (08) 8303 4038 or email, dean.bruton@adelaide.edu.au.

WHAT: "Breaking into the Digital Design Industry" seminar
WHEN: Thursday, 25 May, 6pm-8.30pm
WHERE: Flentje Theatre, Level 3, Architecture Building, University of Adelaide