How to Break into the Industry

Gnomon School of Visual Effects recently hosted How to Break into the Industry, a free event hosted by Gnomon Alumni from Blizzard, Walt Disney Animation Studios, ILM, and Treyarch  on Thursday 5th November 2015.

Watch the livestream of How to Break into the Industry

Read more about How to Break into the Industry on Gnomon’s website

Guest Speakers

Brandon Bennett
Associate Artist, Treyarch

Brandon Bennett is a passionate artist that is inspired by many creative disciplines. As such, this has allowed him into a variety of roles within the entertainment industry, each one giving him new opportunities to build worlds. Brandon has worked for Digital Domain on projects including Halo: The Master Chief Collection. He is currently working at Treyarch on Call of Duty: Black Ops III. Prior to working in the industry, Brandon was a full-time program student at Gnomon. See more of his work at brandonbennett3d.com.

Sonja Christoph
Generalist, ILM

Sonja Christoph is an environment artist, matte painter, and concept artist, who is currently working as a Generalist at ILM. Over the last three years she has been able to create environments for film, TV, commercials, the theater, and theme park rides. Prior to pursuing a career in visual effects, Sonja worked as an Assistant Director in Hollywood. Her impressive resume includes projects such as Tomorrowland, ER, CSI: NY, 21, Dodgeball and 2Fast 2Furious. Sonja is a Gnomon alumna. See more of her work at sonjachristoph.com.

Servando Lupini
Associate 3D Artist, Blizzard

Servando Lupini was born and raised in Caracas, Venezuela, where he studied Illustration and worked for a short while in advertising. Later, Servando decided to relocate to the US, and eventually found himself in Los Angeles where he studied at Gnomon to hone his modeling and texturing skills. While at Gnomon, he entered a Blizzard Student Art Contest – and his Environment entry won him first place! The prestigious prize gave him an opportunity to work at Blizzard, where he still works today! Watch his demo reel.

James Schauf
Environment Modeler, Walt Disney Animation Studios

After nine years in the Air Force, James Schauf made the decision to pursue his dream of being a professional artist. Passionate about modeling, from high-poly to low, and organic to hard surface (he even enjoys UVs and retopologizing), he’s been working as a professional modeler in the entertainment industry for more than five years. Throughout his career, he’s worked as a modeler for clients and projects including Walt Disney Animation Studios, Big Hero 6, Marvel, Legacy Effects, Iron Man 2, Psyop, Microsoft, Aaron Sims Company, Nickelodeon Animation Studios, and more. See his IMDb profile.