MacGuff Illumination Conferences
Conférences . 22 Jun. 2021
This year again, the Parisian studio Illumination MacGuff wanted to meet our students, despite the constraints in force and the distance. Thus, in a digitalized way, the studio representatives were able to exchange with the students of our campuses.
TWO CONFERENCES…
The Illumination MacGuff studio is one of the emblematic French studios, known and recognized for its productions such as The Minions, Despicable Me (1, 2 & 3), The Secret Life of Pets (1 & 2), Sing (1 & 2) or, even older, Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax, and is also a regular visitor to ESMA schools.
Unfortunately, like last year, the studio was not able to visit the schools because of the health situation. But that didn’t stop its representatives from coming to meet the new generation of 3D animation professionals! Technology offers many possibilities, including the ability to meet virtually for digital conferences.
Thus, at the beginning of the year, the Illumination MacGuff studio organized a digital conference to present the studio as well as the projects that are carried out there, as well as the different positions offered – or sought – and finally the unavoidable sequence of advice from the pros to the young generation, as well as the traditional questions and answers.
Once again this year, Amélie Paraiso and Mathilde Chambras, Recruitment Manager and Recruitment Officer respectively, led the conference. They were accompanied by a third employee, also in charge of recruitment, Kenza Chehadi-Fonderflick. This conference was open to our four schools, Lyon, Montpellier, Nantes and Toulouse, for third and fourth year students in the CG Animation and FX Master Degree.
Following this, later in the year, other digital meetings were specifically organized between the Illumination MacGuff studio and groups of final year students. Indeed, each year the studio is invited to participate in the final year jury and to discover the new productions made by the students. During their visit to the schools, the representatives always allow time for discussion with these students at the end of their studies. This allows them to give professional advice on their current production. A beneficial relationship that has been important to maintain.
… and a workshop
As we said, strong links have been forged with the Illumination MacGuff studio. The proof is that many of our former students have been recruited there (you can find several portraits in the “alumni” section). The Toulouse campus welcomed Kevin Borjon Piron, character rigger at Illumination MacGuff.
With the fourth year students he discussed the Maya software before looking at the graduation films and helping the students with technical issues. He also gave a workshop to the third year students on Maya software but also on Python software in order to help them automate certain tasks.