Star Wars FX guru visits IT Tralee

VISUAL Effects guru Simon Brown who was a senior artist on features films including Star wars III, Avatar, Matrix Revolutions, and Transformers II visited the Institute of Technology in Tralee recently as a guest lecturer to speak with animation students.

Mr Brown gave an intensive workshop to students on Visual Effects and Compositing Live action with 3D.

He spoke to students about how Ireland is now an international hub for animation and global industry leader.

Brown has experience of working with major film studios including Paramount, Universal and Pinewood while also working global brands such as Apple, Audi, Cisco, Lyft, Blue Moon, Blackberry, Gatorade, Microsoft and Mercedes as a visual effects artist.

“Ireland is facing a shortage of skills within the animation sector. There are extensive job opportunities within the animation industry and he expressed that many companies are finding it extremely difficult to fill these positions,” he said.

“We are now in a situation where the industry has grown so quickly that we have to search internationally for graduates equipped with the skills to be successful in the animation industry,” he told students.

The Institute of Technology offers a pioneering BA in Animation Visual Effects and Motion Design, which equips students with the hybrid skills required for the many employment opportunities in Ireland and abroad.

Course content within this programme has been designed with extensive input from industry animators including Simon Brown, in order to make sure graduates have the skills that employers need.

IT Tralee Media Graphics and Animation lecturer Rosie Dempsey, special effects artist Simon Brown and Senior Lecturer at ITT’s Creative Media Department Marty Boylan at IT Tralee.