UTS Animal Logic Academy announces two key appointments

In anticipation of the arrival of the first cohort of the UTS Animal Logic Academy, The University of Technology Sydney has announced the appointment of Chris Ebeling as Creative Lead-in-Residence for the 2017 Master of Animation and Visualisation (MAV) and Dr Andrew Johnston as Research and Course Director.

Chris Ebeling, picture supplied

Mr Ebeling comes to the course with valuable experience and knowledge following his recent work with Animal Logic on The LEGO Batman Movie, The LEGO Movie and Guardians of Ga'Hoole.  

Dr Shilo McClean, Head of the UTS Animal Logic Academy said, "Chris's experience in feature film animation joined with his leadership in education and mentoring made him an ideal candidate for this crucial role in laying the foundations for the MAV. We know that Chris's energy and enthusiasm for inspiring great work is going to be integral to our goal of making sure that the members of the academy have a powerful year of learning."

Dr Andrew Johnston, picture supplied

Dr Johnston, co-director of the UTS Creativity and Cognition Studios, will be joining the academy to develop its role in pursuing leading edge research opportunities for CGI industries.

Dr McClean said, "We're so excited that we will be getting to work with Andrew again. He was responsible for the amazing soundscape for the UTS Data Arena showreel which was such an important part of building UTS's relationship with Animal Logic in 2015 and, as the UTS producer for the showreel, I found Andrew an absolutely brilliant collaborative partner. We are very thrilled to be planning the research opportunities that will emerge from the work of the academy and the relationship with Animal Logic and other industry partners. This is going to be so great."

The UTS Animal Logic Academy's Master of Animation and Visualisation program is offered in partnership with world-leading digital production studio Animal Logic through the UTS Animal Logic Academy. It is the first of its kind in Australia offering students the opportunity to work collaboratively with fellow students, industry partners and mentors in a custom-built studio where real-world production pipelines will be emulated.

Dr McClean said, "We want to build a cohort of global creative visionaries offering them the opportunity to work within a state-of-the-art studio designed by BKA Architecture. The experience will not only be a powerful learning one but also present career-making relationships and opportunities across the range of industries taking up emerging uses of computer-generated images. It is our intention that the academy become recognised as a global leader in industry-led education."