Ian Brown

Work History

• 

  'Alien TV' Series Director

  Netflix, eOne, Pop Family Entertainment.

  2014 - Present

  Alien TV is an animated comedy for K6-11, that follows the adventures of a hapless alien news-crew as they discover that nothing on Earth is as it seems.
  
  CG animation over 78x7-minute eps.
  
  During the development of the show, I've overseen the creation of the series bible, character development, visual style templates, writer's guides and marketing materials, as well as guiding the technical evolution of the production pipeline.
  
  The series is a co-production between Netflix, Pop Family Entertainment and eOne.
  
  Alien TV marks my first foray into high-quality fart-related comedy.

• CG Art Director Motown Magic

  Grace : A Storytelling Company

  2016 - October 2018

  CG Art Director for Netflix Original animated series based on the music of the iconic Motown catalogue, producing creative concepts and visuals from initial pitch to Netflix final delivery. Member of executive approval team reviewing toys, merchandising/branding, gamification, live events and expanded media.

• CG Art Director Beat Bugs Series 2

  Grace : A Storytelling Company

  2017 - September 2018

  Overview of CG art direction for series two of Emmy Award winning series, as well as overview of all departments. Member of executive approval team reviewing toys, merchandising/branding, gamification and expanded media.

• Series Art Director - 'Beat Bugs'

  Grace : A Storytelling Company

  November 2014 - September 2018

  Series Art Director on 'Beat Bugs' - a groundbreaking, Emmy award-winning animated series for Netflix, based on the iconic music of the Beatles, for K4-6.
  
  With the exception of character design, I supervised the design and implementation of all environments, props and look development across the entire series. I worked closely with the layout team throughout, helping craft the cinematic language of the show.
  
  I was also across the larger ecosystem of toys, merchandising, web media and soundtrack album art. Consultant on Beat Bugs app, which was the number one musical app in the US. Beat Bugs toys were distributed across the entire continental United States, and were one of that Christmas's top 25 toys.
• 

  Supervising Art Director/Episode Director

  2and2

  May 2014 - November 2014

  Supervising art/compositing team. Story development, storyboarding and live action shoot direction for game cut-scenes. Multi international award winning game for K10-14.
• 

  Visual Development Artist

  Flying Bark Productions

  May 2014 - May 2014

  Key art for Feature IP
• 

  Senior Previs Artist

  Proof Inc

  January 2014 - March 2014

  Previs for Alex Proyas feature, 'Gods of Egypt', as well as additional conceptual art.

• 'SuperMassive' Series Creator and Art/Animation Director

  Essential Media & Entertainment

  2010 - 2014

  Described as a 'breakthrough in the genre' by US Entertainment Tonight, SuperMassive is an animated sci-fi comedy series for K7-11. It's 'Spinal Tap' meets 'Futurama' - a wild odyssey through a rock n' roll universe.
  
  As the series creator, I've been developing visuals, character designs, bibles and writer's guides in an international co-production framework. I also directed the 3 minute promo which received wide acclaim both in and out of the animation industry as a unique and exciting property.

• Digital Production Consultant

  December Films

  August 2011 - January 2013

  Consultation and recruitment for IMAX film 'Hidden Universe 3D'.
• 

  Head of VFX/Animation

  Australian Film Television and Radio School

  2005 - November 2012

  The AFTRS is Australia's premier film education institution and rated as one of the top 15 film schools in the world, according to the Hollywood Reporter. Graduates include Alex Proyas, Jane Campion and Phil Noyce.
  
  During my tenure animated/VFX based films have won over 100 international awards including an Academy Award nomination, a BAFTA win, numerous AFI nominations as well as hundreds of Festival entries.
  
  My role has included both creative support as well as technical direction, pipeline development, infrastructure and national screen education policy.

• Concept Artist

  Kennedy Miller Mitchell Games

  January 2011 - January 2011

  Freelance concept work for new IP.

• Animation Director

  'Storm Pirates' TVC

  2011 - 2011

  Animation, art and live-action direction. Worked with fight director Kyle Rowling (Star Wars: Attack of the Clones, Revenge of the Sith et al) to create extended saber duel.

• Animation Director

  'Tomb Raider IV: The Last Revelation' TVC

  2010 - 2010

  Animation, art and live-action direction. Worked with legendary stunt supervisor Grant Page to create stunts and wirework action sequences. Supervised miniature construction and motion-control shoot.

• CG/Lighting Supervisor

  Birthday Boy

  2005 - 2005

  Academy Award Nominated short film directed by Sejong Park. BAFTA and AFI award Winner.
• 

  CG Supervisor/VFX Art/Animation Director

  Animal Logic

  1995 - 2005

  I joined Animal Logic when the 3D department was comprised of 5 talented animators, and the company's core team was 20 people. Over the next decade I helped grow the company's creative capabilities and it's international reputation for excellence. By the time I left the company had grown to 250 artists and technicians.
  
  During my tenure, I held many positions including CG Supervisor, Animation Director, VFX Art Director and Concept Artist. I received a breadth of experience that today is almost unheard of in an era of specialization.
  
  Projects included over 50 high-end international TVC's, as well as feature films including The Lord of the Rings:The Fellowship of the Ring, Moulin Rouge, Hero, The Matrix, The Thin Red Line and many others.

  

  

  

• Director

  'Crush Depth' short film

  1999 - 1999

  Shot on an actual Russian military submarine. Nominated AEAF best short film.

• Animation Director

  'Trinidad' short film

  1997 - 1997

  Winner of AEAF best short film, and nominated for an AFI.

• Senior Designer

  Design Portfolio

  February 1995 - June 1995

  Designer for Sega 'Virtualand' theme parks. Also created a commercial design national award winner for Westpac Plaza's signage and commercial identity.

• VFX Modelmaker

  Studio Kite

  January 1995 - February 1995

  Miniature and VFX modelmaker.

• Commercial toy designer

  Dingbats

  November 1992 - February 1993

  Newcastle Area, Australia

  Conceptual design for rotomoulded playset toy series. Illustration, mould plan drafting and prototype construction.

• Retail Display Design and Fabrication

  Stockland Retail

  August 1991 - December 1992

  Retail concept design and construction manager for major retail events.

• Control Room Design Graphics

  BHP Steel

  January 1992 - February 1992

  3D rendering of control room interiors.

• Game Designer

  Freelance

  1987 - 1990

  Game designer for 8 and 16-bit machines. Produced final art, pixel graphics, scripting and gameplay. Licensed final property for publishing.