Interview with DQ School Head, Global Operations Cyrus Mistry 02 February 2010 05:45 PM
Cyrus Mistry is an entertainment industry professional, with over 23 years of experience in film making. A cameraman and editor by training he has been associated with over 200 corporate films, ad commercials and documentaries for some of the best business houses in India and globally. The last 10 years Cyrus has been in the animation space. 7 years with DQ, he has managed the 2D, 2D Digital animation business globally, collecting several prestigious awards along the way, which include several Emmy Nominations and finally the Emmy for Tutenstien. Cyrus‘ focus now is to build and grow the new Training business vertical of DQE - DQ DQSVA - DQ School of Visual Arts.
AnimationXpress.com‘s Chaitra Shetty caught up with him for a sneak peek into his role at DQSVA, his plans for the same and more.
What role would you be playing and what responsibilities will you undertake at DQSVA? I head the DQSVA operations globally, looking after the management of all DQSVA centers and DQSVA partnerships with the various State Governments.
What is the current standing of DQSVA in India? DQSVA started as a backward integration program for DQ Entertainment International‘s ever growing need for well trained manpower. Over the last 10 years we would have trained a large number of students who are now employed in DQ Entertainment and other well known names within the industry. In the year 2008 DQSVA was established as a division of DQ Entertainment International. To increase our presence in the training space.
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DQSVA currently has 3 owned centers in Hyderabad, Mumbai and Kolkata [with West Bengal Government partnership] and is Knowledge Sharing Partner with the state government of Madhya Pradesh. At present we have a large number of students training in several batches and will be available for the Industry to absorb within the year 2010.
What have been the ongoing practices that DQSVA has adapted to make its training industry specific? DQSVA has always taken pride in having a very `production focused‘ curriculum so that the students are well prepared to enter and work in any organization of their choice and start contributing effectively since day#1. At DQSVA we ensure that the curriculum is always updated with the latest technical advancements and production pipeline management initiatives as they happen in real time production set-up. Apart from teaching them the craft we also give equal importance for personality development and special sessions are imparted to the student for building confidence.
Is DQSVA leveraging the advantage of having the biggest animation production division in India to get its students the industry exposure? Certainly, DQSVA students have the advantage of getting trained on a curriculum which has been designed by people who have several years of experience in producing world class animation projects at DQE. The curriculum apart, DQSVA students benefit through Production Mentors from DQE as well as the industry in general who take special sessions with the students giving them yet another dimension to their already comprehensive curriculum. DQSVA also ensures that expat mentors take sessions and share their learning and experience with the students.
We also have students work on `actual production materials‘ to get the feel of what level of quality is expected from them once they enter into this field as a professional. DQ Entertainment International‘s own extensive portfolio of work done for world major studios is viewed and critiqued for student benefit. They get to see the high quality work which happens in the production studio creating a sense of aspiration to work on International Award winning properties that DQE is associated with.
How do you plan to maintain the quality of education across all the centers? DQSVA has total control across all centers for the curriculum and its delivery. Irrespective of which centre/city the student is being trained, the level of teaching, the infrastructure, the technology is the same. The trainers play a very important role and at DQSVA we ensure that each and every trainer is chosen for the right technical skillset with the right attitude, this is very critical as they constantly interface and interact with vibrant young minds who are eager to learn and come with great hopes and aspirations.
The trainers routinely undergo refresher sessions and update themselves on the ever changing methodologies of production. Train the trainer modules and frequent mentorship programs with senior production teams as well as international mentors ensure that they are constantly learning something new and get to share views from experts in production.
What is your vision for DQSVA? My vision for DQSVA - To be one of the best recognized and respected academies in this space which is consistently adapting to the changing needs of the Industry and ensures that the student employability is high. DQSVA should be an automatic choice for aspiring students who want to enter into this field.
What are the growth and expansion plans on the cards for DQSVA? We have been growing slowly but surely, we at DQSVA have a very cautious approach on how we select our partnerships so that we can maintain consistently the level of education being provided and at the same time provide quality trained manpower for the Media and Entertainment industry.
We have on the cards various expansion plans for the near future. We will certainly be looking at setting up more centres PAN India with like minded partners. NASSCOM data is for all to read and visualize the scope that exists in this ever people hungry media industry. I personally see tremendous scope for students who choose this as a career option what with more media, production houses, television channels and animation companies coming into being and growing in size and operations. We want to be ready to cater to their demand for trained manpower.
TurtleinMotion Studio,a group company
of the RDB Organisation which has been engaged in production and distribution
of movies and television series for over 40 years ,is in search of talented
artists in the field of 2D/3D animation for our Kolkata based office in various
department
Script Writers
Character Designers
2D B/G Artist
Storyboard Artists
Layout Artists
2D Animators
Flash Animators
3D Artists
Marketing Executives (based in Mumbai)
Freshers may apply as interns.
Interested candidates may send an e-mail with
updated resume at careers@turtleinmotion.com
along with the link to your showreel or call at 033-6616-9718.
UK-based Snipple Animation is building
up a new animation studio in Pune that is pulsating with creative energy. A
place where art, technology and sharp business acumen co-exist and complement
each other. Snipple provides 3D as well as 2D animation services for films,
TV series, advertising and related areas.
At Snipple we hire only the best of the best,
and we take pride in our relentless pursuit of excellence in everything we do.
If you think you have what it takes to be a part of this world-class team, we
would like to hear from you.
We are currently recruiting for the following
positions: 1) Senior Modeler
2) Senior Surfacing Artist
3) Senior Rigging Artist
4) Senior 3D Animator
5) Senior 2D Animator
6) Production Manager
Reliance MediaWorks Limited is India`s
fastest growing film and entertainment Services Company and a member of the
Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group.
The Company has a dominant and comprehensive
presence in the Film & Media Services: Motion Picture Processing and DI; Visual
Effects; Film Restoration and image enhancement; Digital Mastering: Studios
and Equipment rentals with facilities located at US and India.
Reliance MediaWorks invites you to be a part
of India`s fastest and largest growing entertainment conglomerate. We are launching
VFX Films Division in Mumbai & Pune shortly. We are in search of talent
from the industry that meets our requirements. We are currently looking out
for:
Also send hard copies along with showreel
to:
Reliance MediaWorks Ltd. Plot No A - 62 and 63, Kodak Cinelabs Building, Behind
Tunga International Hotel, Post office Lane, MIDC, Andheri (E), Mumbai-93
Cornershop Animation Studio, A Zee Network
Company (Essel Group Enterprise) which focuses on 3D and 2D animation content
development and broadcast media has opportunities in various departments.
For our 2D Operations in Pune, we are
looking for following artists.
1. Visualiser
2. Flash Animators with 2D background
3. Storyboard Artist
4. 2D Compositor
5. 2D Classical Animators
6. Layout Artist
For our 3D Operations in Mumbai, we are
looking for following artists. 1. Art Director
2. Broadcast design and Motion Graphic Artist
3. 3D Animator
4. Lighting Artist
5. Compositing
6. Production Coordinator
Tasaa Infosolutions Pvt. Ltd (Formerly
Tasaa Netcom Pvt. Ltd) is a rapidly growing IT
corporate with focused interests in:
Packaged solutions from World renowned organizations
like: Autodesk Media and Entertainment Software, Adobe (Gold Partners), Apple,
Wacom, Corel, Microsoft (Gold Certified Partner), PTC, Sage Accpac. We are also
Authorized Training Partner for Autodesk, adobe and Corel.
We are a one step solution for all software needs
of Animation, Gaming, Visualization, Post Production and Manufacturing Industries.
Besides being a professional training and technical
resource for our clients, Tasaa is committed to providing high level support
to our customers and ensuring their success by improving competitiveness, streamlining
operations and helping them to be current on technology.
Requirement for Mumbai Programmer:
Candidate needs to know Programming: MEL and Python.
He should have relevant work experience in a
studio and must have worked on Developing Tools/
application for Autodesk products.
Please send your CV at resumes@tasaa.com
or call at +91-22-42121717.
BIG AIMS, a premier animation training institute
of BIG Animation (I) Pvt. Ltd. a part of Reliance Big Entertainment - the largest
entertainment group in India is hiring for following position for various franchisee
locations in India:
1) Centre Head: Candidate with experience
of over 7 years in heading an animation or educational institute. The candidate
should have skills in marketing and
managing day to day operations of an institute.
2) Counselor: Candidate with of over 3
years of experience in counseling students and should have good communication
and interpersonal skills.
3) Faculty: Candidate should have working
experience of minimum 3 years in a production studio and over 2 years as faculty
with a well established training institutes.
After Effects, Nuke,
Fusion ,Combustion, Boujou, Shake
Post-production (editing) faculty
Editing & sound
Premier, FCP & Editing
Interested candidates can e-mail their resumes
with the position applied in the subject line to: hr@biganimation.com or can
send a hard copy of the resume along with demo-reel to "The Human Resources
Department", BIG Animation (I) Pvt. Ltd, 3rd Floor Muttha Towers, Don Bosco
School Road, Yerawada, Pune 411006.
Sheen Animation Studio Pvt. Ltd. A Delhi
based Production Studio is looking for talents in 2D and 3D for their ongoing
and new international as well as national projects. If you have the experience
an expertise of 2-5 years in the relevant domain handling any of the following
functions, apply in confidence.
Pre-Production
1) BG Design Artists
2) Character Design Artists
3) Matte Painting Artists
4) Concept Artist
2D Animation
1) Flash Animators
2) 2D FX Artists
3) IB And Clean-up Artist
Be part of an exciting journey! Technicolor India (previously Paprikaas) is a premiere animation studio,
based out of a state-of-the-art centre of excellence in Bangalore, working on
international projects for marquee clients in animation, gaming and Film visual
effects.
Technicolor India is currently seeking
highly talented artists to work on international projects in animation and film
visual effects.
If you are game for tough challenges, cut out to work in high pressure situations,
and are armed with excellent credentials in any of the following disciplines: Concept Art
Matte Painting
Modeling
Texturing
Effects
Character Animation
Lighting & Compositing
Film Visual Effects (Rotoscopy, MatchMove, Paint & Prep) or Production Management
ANTS is seeking talented artists and teaching
faculties to be a part of the expansion team and work on various national and
international projects. Areas of key vacancies are: Lighting, Animation and Rigging,
Dynamics, Game Design, Texturing, Creative Art, Designer, Web Developer and Content Creator. Interested candidates can send their resumes and works to hr@antsindia.com.
URL: www.antsindia.com,
Phone Numbers: 080 - 40627000 (ext) 224
Redchillies.vfx is all ready to start
their next project - Ra.One, post the success of "My Name Is Khan".
Loads of challenging 3D and Compositing visual effects work is to be done for
the live action sci-fi superhero film starring Shah Rukh Khan as a superhero.
We are currently looking out for extremely talented
& experienced candidates to work on employment/contract basis. Key vacancies
are Lead Lighting Artist (3DS Max), Animators (3DS Max),
Lead VFX Artist(Maya), Lead Rigging Artist(Maya), Animator(Maya), Lead Match
Moving Artist, to name a few. For details on many more vacancies Click
here.
Apply on hr.vfx@redchillies.com
with your show reel OR send in your showreel at the following address: Ground
Floor, Crescent Towers,Off New Link Road, Oshiwara, Near Morya Estate, Andheri-W,
Mumbai-58.
India`s No.1 Multimedia & Animation Academy
with one of the best state of the Art infrastructure requires trainers in the
field of:
3D Animation: Experience in a 3D Production
Environment. Must have good working knowledge of Max or Maya with simulation
systems-particle, cloth, fluid, fur.
Editing & Vfx: Experienced Candidates
in Premiere, After Effect, Final Cut Pro and Nuke. Knowledge of other compositing
software will be added advantage (Apple Shake & Fusion).
Flash Animators: Experience in Flash with
advanced scripting, Toon Boom Harmony. Should have knowledge in sketching /
traditional animation skills.
Pre Production Artists: People from fine
arts background with pre production experience of animation industry.
Graphics: Candidates with Print Media
and Advertising background with sound knowledge of Photoshop, Illustrator, Corel
Draw & Indesign.
Candidates with Adobe & Autodesk certification
would be preferred.
India`s largest Animation & Multimedia Training
Facility reputed for its path-breaking academic initiatives and profound
achievements requires the following talent to meet surging demand for its revolutionary
training programs and to complement its expansion plans:
CLOTH HAIR & FUR ARTIST
DYNAMICS FX ARTIST
MAYA INSTRUCTOR
3D STUDIO MAX INSTRUCTOR
Dilsukhnagar Arena is a people-friendly organization
offering enriching and rewarding careers with the emphasis on personal as well
as professional growth. You will be working with some of the most talented people
in an empowering, challenging and inspirational work-environment with ample
"Learning and Career Progression" opportunities.
Cornershop Animation Studio, A Zee Network
Company (Essel Group Enterprise) which focuses on 3D and 2D animation content
development and broadcast media has opportunities in various departments.
BIG AIMS, a premier animation training institute
of BIG Animation (I) Pvt. Ltd. a part of Reliance Big Entertainment - the largest
entertainment group in India is hiring for following position for various franchisee
locations in India:
Sheen Animation Studio Pvt. Ltd. A Delhi
based Production Studio is looking for talents in 2D and 3D for their ongoing
and new international as well as national projects. If you have the experience
an expertise of 2-5 years in the relevant domain handling any of the following
functions, apply in confidence.
ANTS is seeking talented artists and teaching
faculties to be a part of the expansion team and work on various national and
international projects. Areas of key vacancies are: Lighting, Animation and Rigging,
Dynamics, Game Design, Texturing, Creative Art, Designer, Web Developer and Content Creator. Interested candidates can send their resumes and works to 
India`s No.1 Multimedia & Animation Academy
with one of the best state of the Art infrastructure requires trainers in the
field of:
