Kurt Debens, Benjamin Holen and Nick Beins Use UniSA/RSP Media Placement as
a Springboard to Professional Careers
a Springboard to Professional Careers
Adelaide, South Australia— Houdini, Side Effects’ 3D animation software, is
a principal tool at Rising Sun Pictures and at other visual effects studios (VFX)
worldwide engaged in feature film and high-end television VFX. The software is
valued for the flexibility of its procedural design and robust capabilities in
modeling, animation, character rigging and lighting.
a principal tool at Rising Sun Pictures and at other visual effects studios (VFX)
worldwide engaged in feature film and high-end television VFX. The software is
valued for the flexibility of its procedural design and robust capabilities in
modeling, animation, character rigging and lighting.
In August 2015, Rising Sun Pictures partnered with the University
of South Australia to create an opportunity for third-year students undertaking
a Bachelor of Media Arts. Ten promising students spent ten weeks at RSP’s
Adelaide facility, learning VFX in Houdini with artists Dan Wills and Thomas
Cant, whose collective credits include such films as Gravity, The Hunger Games and
X-Men: Days of Future Past.
of South Australia to create an opportunity for third-year students undertaking
a Bachelor of Media Arts. Ten promising students spent ten weeks at RSP’s
Adelaide facility, learning VFX in Houdini with artists Dan Wills and Thomas
Cant, whose collective credits include such films as Gravity, The Hunger Games and
X-Men: Days of Future Past.
“We wanted to help students
build on skills they had learned at University, and provide them with intensive
training offered in the context of a working visual effects studio,” says RSP’s
Education and Training Manager, Kirsty Parkin. “Students are taught by
experienced professionals and master skills they will need to land jobs in the
industry and build productive careers.”
build on skills they had learned at University, and provide them with intensive
training offered in the context of a working visual effects studio,” says RSP’s
Education and Training Manager, Kirsty Parkin. “Students are taught by
experienced professionals and master skills they will need to land jobs in the
industry and build productive careers.”
 |
| New to the staff at Rising Sun Pictures are (l to r) Kurt Debens, Ben Holen and Nick Beins. |
Sometimes, students who successfully complete
RSP training courses transition to staff positions with the company. In January
2016, three of the Bachelor of Media Arts students who studied Houdini at RSP
began their careers as junior Houdini VFX artists. Kurt Debens, Benjamin Holen
and Nick Beins worked hard to grasp the principles of the node-based program,
and were rewarded with their first professional roles in the VFX industry.
Kurt, Ben and Nick all developed an interest in visual effects
early in life. “I always enjoyed gaming
starting with Donkey Kong,” recalls Nick. “When I got older, I became more
interested in film. I watched behind-the-scenes footage of the making of films
and games and thought that would be a really cool job.”
early in life. “I always enjoyed gaming
starting with Donkey Kong,” recalls Nick. “When I got older, I became more
interested in film. I watched behind-the-scenes footage of the making of films
and games and thought that would be a really cool job.”
Nick began taking animation courses in high school. He went on to
complete an Advanced Diploma at TAFE SA and then enrolled at UniSA. Kurt and
Ben followed similar paths. In third-year, their UniSA lecturers suggested them
for RSP’s Houdini placement as a stepping stone to help them make the
transition from the university environment to the professional world.
complete an Advanced Diploma at TAFE SA and then enrolled at UniSA. Kurt and
Ben followed similar paths. In third-year, their UniSA lecturers suggested them
for RSP’s Houdini placement as a stepping stone to help them make the
transition from the university environment to the professional world.
RSP’s 10-week Houdini training program was demanding and rigorous,
exposing students to everything from the basics of navigating the User
Interface to the intricacies of modeling and fluid simulations. Students
trained in a studio environment, worked with elements from actual film
productions, and were required to produce professional quality results.
exposing students to everything from the basics of navigating the User
Interface to the intricacies of modeling and fluid simulations. Students
trained in a studio environment, worked with elements from actual film
productions, and were required to produce professional quality results.
“I
had no idea what to expect going in,” recalls Kurt. “The course took what we
learned about Houdini at UniSA and allowed us to expand that knowledge
dramatically. Not only did we gain huge new insights into Houdini, we were
taught basic Nuke compositing skills essential for visual effects artists.”
had no idea what to expect going in,” recalls Kurt. “The course took what we
learned about Houdini at UniSA and allowed us to expand that knowledge
dramatically. Not only did we gain huge new insights into Houdini, we were
taught basic Nuke compositing skills essential for visual effects artists.”
“I really enjoyed the classroom
experience,” adds Ben. “I had my own computer and spot in the room.
Having daily conferences with our instructors was very good. We were able to
talk with them about what went right and what went wrong, and get help with
anything that needed fixing.”
experience,” adds Ben. “I had my own computer and spot in the room.
Having daily conferences with our instructors was very good. We were able to
talk with them about what went right and what went wrong, and get help with
anything that needed fixing.”
Nick admits that the pace and high expectations were
challenging (“Every day when I got home, I just wanted to sleep!”), but their
efforts were repaid by the depth of the lessons and the opportunity to put
their new skills into practice. “We went from understanding the very basics of
Houdini to comprehending the process of creating our own tools from
scratch, using and creating vast node networks, and understanding the lighting
and rendering process. Anyone who has used Houdini knows how complex and
intimidating it can be. I am amazed by how much we learned!”
challenging (“Every day when I got home, I just wanted to sleep!”), but their
efforts were repaid by the depth of the lessons and the opportunity to put
their new skills into practice. “We went from understanding the very basics of
Houdini to comprehending the process of creating our own tools from
scratch, using and creating vast node networks, and understanding the lighting
and rendering process. Anyone who has used Houdini knows how complex and
intimidating it can be. I am amazed by how much we learned!”
The course wasn’t limited to software training. Students
also received career guidance from RSP’s HR staff. “We got great advice about
applying for jobs and on what recruiters want to see,” notes Ben. Nick points
out that there were also intangible benefits.
“We were given countless
networking opportunities and firsthand insight into how a VFX house operates,”
he says. “Most
importantly it was fun!”
also received career guidance from RSP’s HR staff. “We got great advice about
applying for jobs and on what recruiters want to see,” notes Ben. Nick points
out that there were also intangible benefits.
“We were given countless
networking opportunities and firsthand insight into how a VFX house operates,”
he says. “Most
importantly it was fun!”
Currently, the three new junior artists are settling into
their professional roles and looking forward to their first big movie project. “Right
now, I’m focused on learning as much as I can and continuing my progress,” says
Kurt. His advice to other prospective artists
is to follow his example by “working hard and taking advantage of opportunities
that arise.”
their professional roles and looking forward to their first big movie project. “Right
now, I’m focused on learning as much as I can and continuing my progress,” says
Kurt. His advice to other prospective artists
is to follow his example by “working hard and taking advantage of opportunities
that arise.”
Asked if that might include
training at RSP, Kurt offers an unequivocal response: “YES!”
training at RSP, Kurt offers an unequivocal response: “YES!”
Creative Director
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