BIO Archives - Screen Wexford

Learn more about the speakers at our upcoming Inside the Industry: Breaking into Animation & VFX event. On April 5th and 6th, we’ll hear from industry professionals who will share their own career journeys, as well as giving us insights into crucial industry topics.

See more about the speakers below.

Ben Klimmek

We are excited to introduce one of the hosts and MCs for the upcoming ‘Inside the Industry: Breaking into Animation & VFX’ workshop – Ben Klimmek!

With over 20 years of experience in the animation industry, Ben has worn many hats – from running his own animation studio in the UK to working as an Animation Director and CG Generalist at Screen Scene.

His impressive credits include major films and TV shows like A Good Day to Die Hard (2013) and Ahsoka (2024). With expertise in storyboarding, animation, and VFX, Ben has a deep understanding of the entire creative pipeline, guiding projects from concept to completion.

Now working with Saurus Animation, he focuses on delivering dynamic visual content while shaping the studio’s evolving brand identity. Join us as Ben leads conversations with our guest speakers, shares his own journey, and offers industry insights and expert advice on breaking into animation and VFX!

Andy Clarke

We’re excited to welcome Andy Clarke as a guest speaker at our upcoming workshop! With over 20 years of experience in animation and VFX, Andy has worked on an impressive range of projects, including Brooklyn, Normal People, The Surfer, and Kneecap.
His deep industry knowledge spans every aspect of VFX production, from initial consultation and planning to on-set supervision and final shot delivery. With hands-on expertise across the entire pipeline, Andy brings invaluable insights into the creative and technical challenges of modern VFX production.

Join us as he shares his journey, industry expertise, and key advice for breaking into the world of animation and VFX. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from one of the best!

Ben Harper

We are delighted to welcome Ben Harper, co-founder of Giant Animation with over a decade of experience in senior production roles, Ben has been instrumental in shaping Giant’s success.
As Studio Manager, he oversees the implementation of business, technical, and creative strategies, ensuring the studio stays at the forefront of the animation and VFX industry. Beyond production, Ben focuses on building key industry relationships, driving collaboration, and fostering innovation in the ever-evolving world of animation.

Join us as Ben shares insights into studio management, industry trends, and strategies for breaking into animation and VFX. This is a must-attend session for anyone looking to take their career to the next level!

Mario Domingos

We are excited to welcome Mario Domingos as one of our guest speakers at the event. With over 20 years of experience in the industry, Mario proudly embraces the title of “Industry Dinosaur”, bringing a wealth of knowledge in 3D Motion Design, Style-Frames, Look Development, and FX R&D.

Born in Lisbon and based in Dublin, Mario has worked with some of the biggest names in the industry, including Apple, IBM, Amazon, Netflix, and the NBA, as well as top studios like BUCK, PSYOP, and BNS. Using tools like Cinema 4D, Houdini, and Redshift, he continues to push creative boundaries, blending technical expertise with artistic exploration while building his personal artistic brand.

Join us as Mario shares his insights into breaking into the industry, evolving with new technologies, and navigating the ever-changing world of animation and VFX. This is a session you won’t want to miss!

Simon Burke

Simon Burke is an industry veteran with an impressive career spanning animation, VFX, and creative leadership. Simon has worked across multiple CG disciplines, leading and supervising award-winning projects, from character-driven TV spots to blockbuster superhero films for Marvel and DC.

At MPC Film London, he played a key role in Disney’s The Lion King, overseeing lighting for sequences that earned Oscar and BAFTA nominations for VFX. He also directed and supervised the GNI spot featuring trad-singing canary Tommy McAnairey, which was shortlisted for D&AD’s animation award.

Most recently, Simon has worked with Jellyfish Pictures on Nautilus and contributed to commercial projects with The Mill, London. With such a wealth of experience, he will be sharing insights into the state of the industry, AI’s impact on animation, real-time technology, and how to break into this competitive field.

Details

Date: 5 – 6 April 2025

Time: 10 AM – 4 PM

Venue: The Festival Room, Wexford Opera House, Wexford

Who is it for?
This event is aimed at trainees, graduates and people already taking third-level animation & VFX courses.

See More Here

Find out more about the topics that will be discussed and what to expect at the two day event on this page.

Register today!

https://is2fay1ppo4.typeform.com/to/uE1lUPcL
Spaces are limited and registration in advance is strongly advised!

This event is brought to you and supported by Screen Wexford and Wexford County Council.

Join us for an in-depth discussion on the key aspects of breaking into the world of animation and VFX. Our panel of industry professionals will share their career journeys and insights into crucial industry topics, including:

AI in Animation & Illustration

Exploring AI’s role in animation, illustration, and idea development.

Realtime Technology

The latest advancements in real-time rendering and its impact on production, including innovations like “Flow.”

State of the Industry

A candid discussion on the industry’s current challenges and future expectations.

Hiring & Career Growth

How to stand out in today’s competitive market, improve visibility, and navigate the hiring process.

Whether you are a student, job seeker, or industry professional, this workshop will provide valuable insights into the evolving landscape of animation and VFX.

What to Expect?
Day 1 – Engage in a workshop and panel discussion with industry experts who will share insights, trends, and practical advice on making it in animation and VFX.
Day 2 – Get one-on-one feedback on your current showreel to refine your work and improve your chances in the competitive industry.

Please Note

You are welcome to attend if you can only make the Saturday 5th April, there is no obligation to have one to one with an expert with your showreel.

If you do have a showreel or examples of your work we highly recommend you do take the opportunity to sit down on Sunday the 6th April and discuss this with one of our expert panel.