James Bennett
Animation, previs, creative production consultation..
creative consultant / 21 yrs · Animator / 11 yrs
San Francisco
Get in touch
About
I am an animation director, previs specialist, and creative founder with more than 2 decades of experience in feature film, VFX, and story-driven production. My credits include Avatar, King Kong, Iron Man 2, The Hobbit, and How to Train Your Dragon 2. Beyond my studio work, I have co-founded multiple companies, including Zerply, Shomen Productions, and BookTeaser. I am focused on improving creative workflows, supporting global talent, and expanding the possibilities of visual storytelling.
Work history
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Cinematics Animation Supervisor
Ubisoft
Mar 2016 - Feb 201711 mosRemoteI was the cinematic animation supervisor for two titles, 'For Honor' and 'Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Wildlands'.
I supervised two remote based teams, one in France and the other in Spain.
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Senior Freelance Animator
MPC
Nov 2013 - Feb 20143 mosVancouverI have been assigned a number of the larger, more complicated shots to animate where giant monsters are fighting. I am also helping some of the less experienced animators in the team with their workflow and shots.
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Freelance Previz Artist
Wētā FX
Aug 2013 - Oct 20132 mosWellingtonThe Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
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Lead Previs Artist
DreamWorks Animation
May 2010 - Jun 20133 yrs 1 moRedwood City, CaliforniaHad a terrific time at DreamWorks, where I was a part of a an amazing team. The Previz team at PDI lead by Kent Seki, Nol Meyer and Conan Low is truly raising the quality of Previz to ridiculous heights.
I was a Lead Previz Artist on the following shows.
Madagascar 3
Rocky and Bullwinkle (Short)
I was a Previz Artist on the following shows.
How to Train Your Dragon 2
Penguins of Madagascar
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Senior Animator
Industrial Light & Magic
Sep 2009 - May 20108 mosSan Francisco, CaliforniaProject: Iron Man 2
I animated a number of key Iron Man and War Machine shots.
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Senior Animator / Lead Previs Artist
Wētā FX
Feb 2005 - Oct 20094 yrs 8 mosFeatherston
Movie list.
King Kong - Animator
X-Men 3 - Animator
Jumper - Animator
The Water Horse - Senior Animator / Previs Animator
Eragon - Senior Animator
The Day the Earth Stood Still - Previs Animator
Halo - Lead Previs Animator
The Warriors Way - Lead Previs Animator
Tin Tin - Senior Previs Animator
Australian War Memorial - Senior Previs Animator
Avatar - Animator / Previs Animator
The Hobbit - Lead Previs Animator
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Senior Animator
MPC
2008 - 20081 moLondonThis was a short 8 week contract during Crunch on Prince Caspian.
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Character Designer
Animal Logic
Mar 2004 - Feb 200511 mosSydneyI worked on Designs for the Penguins in Happy Feet. Particularly in the area of Facial Range of Movement (Designing the different facial expressions)
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