Ben studied Architecture and Design at the University Of Technology, Sydney, Australia. After completing his degree, Ben created his first animated short film, SUSHIʼS REVENGE. With this film, Ben traveled to London winning a course at Metro New Media through the European Junior Animator Competition. On Completion of the Course Ben returned to Australia to join Animal Logic as a senior Animator quickly rising to the role of Visual Effects Supervisor. He was principally involved with Visual Effects for the award winning series Farscape. Over 3 years, Ben directed a team of animators and compositors in the completion of a range of effects from 3D characters, matte paintings, CGI landscapes and so on. His experience in design was critical to the process of developing concepts from script to screen. Additionally, Ben was keynote speaker for visual effects at NSW Film & Television Organization seminar “adding strings to your bow” illustrating the benefits and potential of visual effects for production companies. Constantly looking to push the boundaries of visual style, his next film, THE ARSONIST'S RIDDLE, was highly acclaimed for its fusion of animation and live action. It has won numerous awards and resulted in Ben's work featuring on the acclaimed Shots "New Directors Showcase". It also led to a Masters in Directing at the Australian Film Television & Radio School [AFTRS] where Ben focused on performance and storytelling. At AFTRS Ben directed a number of award winning drama and documentary short films. His latest drama venture, the AFC funded short film, PLAY, is about street kids and employs non-actors using improvised performances.
Ben has the unusual talent of being a performance director as well as having immense experience in design and visual effects allowing him the benefit of previsualiation. With such a diverse background, Ben's commercial work draws on his greatest asset, the ability to fuse design with drama.
Most recently, Ben directed commercials for the Australian Directors Guild and Max Music Channel. These works featured in a number of high profile magazines with in-depth interviews. [IDN, 3dWorld, Stash, Motionographer]Additionally the Max Music Channel won prizes for visual effects at the Phoenix Advertising Awards and Australian Animation and Effects Festival. Australian Directors Guild "Freaks" won Finalist at the New York Festivals 2009
Ben is represented by Soma Films as a Director in Australia and Moxie pictures in the United States. SOMA FILMS APRIL 2008 - PRESENT 1 X 60 Second TVC Freaks - Australian Directors Guild - Agency - Soma
AWARDS - New York Festivals - Finalist Certificate3 X 45 Second TVC A Drive Less Ordinary - Volkswagon - Agency - DDB
1 X 30 Second TVC Freedom - Agency - M&C Saatchi -
1 X 30 Second TVC Fridge - Tararua Ice Coffee - Agency - Publicis Mojo Nz
1 X 30 Second TVC - Arnotts - Agency - GPY&R [Director]1 X 60 Second TVC Creepers - Motor Accident Comission - Agency - Clemenger
1 X 60 Second TVC Where Music Lives 2 - Max Channel - Agency - XYZ
SYDNEY FILM COMPANY AUGUST 2007 - APRIL 2008 1 X 45 Second TVC Robot - Eveready - Agency - DDB Naga
1 X 60 Second TVC Nrl Centenary - Nrl - Agency - MJW
1 X 60 Second TVC Where Music Lives - Max Channel - Agency - XYZ
AWARDS - Australian Effects And Animation Festival - Best Channel IdentAWARDS - Phoenix Awards - Bronze For Visual Effects
DOLL MAY 2005 - AUGUST 2007 60 Second TVC Old Models - One Centre Branding - Agency - One Centre
30 Second TVC Jazz - Sydney Morning Herald - Agency - Host
30 Second TVC Sudoku - Sydney Morning Herald - Agency - Host
30 Second TVC Dash - Sydney Morning Herald - Brand - Agency - Host
10x15 Second TVC Pstrixi - Yahoo7 - Agency - Host
1 X 30 Second Podcast - Sony Playstation - Agency - BMF
3 X 30 Second TVC Vega Fm - Vega - Agency - FNL
1 X 60 Second TVC Guide Dogs - Guide Dogs - Agency - BMF
1 X 30 Second TVC Pop - Wrigleys - Agency - DDB
3 X 30 Second TVC Dinner Date - Mcdonalds - Agency – DDB
2007 - “PLAY” 16 MINUTES Drama Writer/Director AWARDS FujiFilm Best Cinematography – Flickerfest - Sydney Australia 2005 - “DEBUT” 12 MINUTES Drama Writer/Director AWARDS GOLD AWARD - ACS- Sydney Australia AFTRS - High Acheivement Award - Cinematography 2004 - "LATESHIFT" 8 MINUTES Drama Director AWARDS GOLD AWARD - ACS- Sydney Australia 2003 - "BLOODLINE" Documentary Director 2002 - "THE ARSONIST’S RIDDLE" 4 MINUTES Drama / animation Writer/Director/Animator AWARDS Best Film Award & Best Production Design Award - Metroscreen Film Festival -Sydney, Australia Best Film Award - Canal Plus, L’ Estrange Film Festival -Paris, France THE ARSONISTS RIDDLE has featured on the highly regarded Shots DVD. The film has also sold to HBO, ZED, ATOMFILMS, CANAL PLUS, SUNDANCE AND RIALTO. 2000 - "JOURNEY" Animation Writer/Director/Animator AWARDS Australian Animation and Effects Festival Finalist 1999 - "A SUSHI‘S REVENGE" Animation Writer/Director/Animator AWARDS European Animators Award 2nd prize Australian Animation and Effects Festival Finalist APRIL 2008 - PRESENT SOMA FILMS Commercials Director/Writer/Animator/Visual Effects Supervisor AUGUST 2007 - APRIL 2008 SYDNEY FILM COMPANY Commercials Director/Animator 2006 DOLL 2nd unit Director - Feature Film “Suburban Mayhem” MAY 2005 - AUGUST 2007 DOLL Commercials Director/Animator 2002-2004 AUSTRALIAN FILM TELEVISION AND RADIO SCHOOL M.A. Directing SEPTEMBER 2001 – NOVEMBER 2002 ANIMAL LOGIC Cg Director/Vfx Supervisor/ Lead Animator + Compositor 3d Design/Previs Hensons “Farscape” Series4 Sci-Fi 22 Ep Award Winning TVS Key Note Speaker – NSW FTO Visual Effects Seminar
SEPTEMBER 2001 – JANUARY 2002 Writer/ Director “The Arsonist’s Riddle” Award Winning Short Film SEPTEMBER 2000 – SEPTEMBER 2001 ANIMAL LOGIC Senior Vfx Artist/ Animator/ Supervisor + Compositor Hensons “Farscape” Series3 Sci-Fi 22 Ep Award Winning TVS SEPTEMBER 1999 – SEPTEMBER 2000 ANIMAL LOGIC Senior Vfx Artist/ Animator/ Supervisor + Compositor Hensons “Farscape” Series2 Sci-Fi 22 Ep Award Winning TVS “South Pacific” Tv Movie MARCH 1999 - AUGUST 1999 COMMOTION POST PRODUCTION [UK]. Senior 3d Artist/ Animator. JUNE - AUGUST 1998 FREELANCE 3d Visualisation, Animation & Design NOVEMBER 1996 AUGUST 1998 COX RICHARDSON ARCHITECTS Architectural Designer 3d Visualisation And Animation 1995-1996 FREELANCE Graphic Design APRIL 1993 - APRIL 1995 CARROLL AND CARROLL ARCHITECTS Architectural Design, Documentation, Colour Consultancy, Client Briefings And Contracts. 2002 - 2004 M.A. DIRECTING AUSTRALIAN FILM TELEVISION AND RADIO SCHOOL 1999 - LONDON [UK] METRO NEW MEDIA: ANIMATORS COURSE 1992 - 1998 UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, SYDNEY. BA. ARCHITECTURE 1999 - PRESENT Ben's technical abilities include expert knowledge of 3d animation, 2d design and compositing. Ben also serves as on-set visual effects supervisor with detailed camera and lighting knowledge. 3D SOFTWARE 3DS MAX, MAYA, VRAY 2D SOFTWARE FUSION, COMBUSTION, PHOTOSHOP TRACKING SOFTWARE SYNTHEYES EDITING SOFTWARE FINALCUT PRO
EVALUATING SPAWNING INDUCTION IN CHANNEL CATFISH Ictalurus punctatus USING s GnRH a AND DOMPERIDONE COMPOUNDS Jeffrey Silverstein*, Jim Powell, and Anita Kelly Spawning success of channel catfish in ponds generally ranges from 30-50 %. This low spawning rate requires the maintenance of a large surplus of broodfish. To improve spawning success and predictability of spawning w
SCHOOL DISTRICT OF WAUZEKA-STEUBEN As we enter the new school year nd the traditional influenza season, we expect Wisconsin to continue seeing cases of the new pandemic flu. School and public health officials are working closely to keep our children safe and healthy. We need your help! ant thing you can do is to keep your child home if he/she is ill. If your child is so sick t