Animation graduate and creator Alana Jonas has received an enviable mentorship opportunity with Chris Bennett, animator at Brisbane’s multi Emmy Award-winning creative studio Ludo. The six-week bootcamp opportunity was offered in partnership with Screen Queensland and Screenworks’ FNQ Screen Industry.
Recently graduating with a Bachelor of Animation from SAE Creative Media Institute Brisbane, Alana says the mentorship, where Australian favourite 'Bluey' is produced, is a dream come true.
When Alana’s fellow student from SAE sent her the link to the bootcamp, she took the plunge and applied for it; her skills and polished portfolio shone.
Of the six-week mentorship programme, Alana spent three days at Ludo’s headquarters in Fortitude Valley, with the rest completed online from her home in Cairns.
“While I was in the studio I was able to lip sync scenes that will be in the upcoming season of 'Bluey'. I even animated a character under Chris’ guidance.”
“The experience was great – Chris gives so much feedback on my character development, he was great with communication.”
And Chris is equally as complimentary about his experience of working with Alana; “Like all good animators, Alana displayed a real passion for cartoons, the kind of passion that makes you always want to do your best, because you love what you do! She learned very quickly on the fly and was able to demonstrate some impressive work,” Chris says.
Alana says her interest in animation was piqued from her passion for gaming; an industry she originally wanted to pursue.
“Although it all started with gaming, I realised that I actually enjoyed the animation more than the games.”
“While studying at SAE I really connected with 3D animating, and now I enjoy making realistic creature animation, like those in the reimagined Disney movies.”
“In the near future I would love to work with Ludo again on the next season of 'Bluey', and the ultimate goal is to be an animator at Animal Logic,” Alana says.
SAE offers courses in Animation, Audio, Design, Film, games and AR/VR and flexible blended learning is available on all their bachelor and diploma programmes. They also offer Postgraduate Certificates, Diplomas and the Master of Creative Industries.
