Wrapping up DNEG Animation's 2025 INSPIRE Series!
A huge thanks to all the wonderful speakers who joined us!
We’re leaving 2025 feeling extra inspired, thanks to DNEG Animation’s INSPIRE Series!
We’ve been delighted to again wrap up the year with an incredible line-up of events, featuring experts from all corners of the industry!
But, before we dive into these fantastic sessions, a word from one of the INSPIRE founders Andrew Schlussel (Senior Director, Training & Development, DNEG Animation) on the importance of the series:
"Behind the images you see in our films are countless hours of artists and technicians toiling away at their craft. They pour their creativity, passion, and brilliance into their work which is what makes the output so spectacular. Our INSPIRE Series is one thing DNEG does to help refill their tank, so they can continue to inspire audiences."
The Making of KPop Demon Hunters With Directors Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans
In October, we were thrilled to welcome the directorial duo behind KPop Demon Hunters to our London studio for a closer look at their hit animated film!
KPop Demon Hunters follows a world-renowned K-Pop girl group as they balance their lives in the spotlight with their secret identities as demon hunters. Since it’s release, the animated film has scored several major milestones, including becoming Netflix's most-watched film, a record-breaking soundtrack which included four simultaneous #1s on the Billboard Hot 100, and a theatrical run with more than 1,300 sold-out screenings!
Speaking with our crew, Maggie and Chris shared details on the making of the film, discussing how they blended authentic Korean culture, bonafide K-Pop tunes, and a unique visual style into an unforgettable film that pushes the boundaries of storytelling. Read more about it here!
The Evolution of Black Animation: From Margin to Mainstream with Keith White
Next up in October, Entrepreneur and the Co-Founder of AfroAnimation Summit Keith White joined us via Zoom for an insightful look at the journey of Black animators and storytellers in global animation!
In a session moderated by DNEG VFX Supervisor Denis-Jose Francois, Keith touched on the recent cultural shifts that have opened up new opportunities for Black-led projects, and shared case studies of breakout projects such as Black Panther and their industry impact!
Keith also touched on the work of AfroAnimation Summit in connecting underrepresented creators with major studios and fostering inclusive pathways in the animation industry.
In Your Dreams with Alex Woo
In Your Dreams director Alex Woo treated our crew to an insightful discussion this November in London!
He first shared details about founding his own company Kuku Studios, describing how he built it from the ground up and the story behind partnering with Netflix on both the animated series Go! Go! Cory Carson and now In Your Dreams, the studio’s first feature length animated film.
In Your Dreams follows main character Stevie and her little brother Elliot as they journey through the fantastical landscapes of their dreams to find the Sandman and ask him for the perfect family. Alex took our crew behind the scenes of the making of the film, sharing details on the inspirations and origin - including how the idea grew from scribbles on the back of a pizza box to the film it is today!
Fantasies of a Rescue Dummy with Adrian Maganza
Also in November, we welcomed Adrian Maganza, director of Fantasies of a Rescue Dummy, for a screening of the short and a conversation on how it came to life!
Fantasies of a Rescue Dummy tells the story of a rescue dummy that, after being forgotten at the bottom of a swimming pool, fantasizes about being picked up and brought to the surface by a swimmer. During the session at our London studio, Adrian shared details on creating the film and spoke about transitioning into live-action filmmaking from a background in animation, and then answered questions from our crew!
The session was moderated by our very own David Park (Head of Production, Feature Animation), and we were also joined by a group of students from University of Hertfordshire and Escape Studios for the event.
Guillermo del Toro on Frankenstein
Rounding out the year in December, we welcomed Academy Award-winning director Guillermo del Toro to our London studio for his second INSPIRE Session!
This time was all about the making of his latest film Frankenstein. Based on the classic novel by Mary Shelley, Frankenstein is about a brilliant but egotistical scientist who brings a creature to life in a monstrous experiment that ultimately leads to the undoing of both the creator and his tragic creation.
Taking questions from our team for most of the session, Guillermo shared inspirations and production secrets, touched on the balance of adapting a classic novel for a modern audience, and gave insights into the challenges faced. Read more about it here!
We’re so honoured to have been joined by so many inspiring guests!
We’d like to extend our sincere thanks to Maggie Kang, Chris Appelhans, Keith White, Alex Woo, Adrian Maganza and Guillermo del Toro for joining us for these special INSPIRE events.
DNEG Animation’s INSPIRE Series invites inspiring speakers to share their knowledge and experience with our global animation crews. Launched in 2021, the series was created to encourage our team’s passion for animation through exciting learning opportunities and celebrations of innovative new work within the industry. Learn more about INSPIRE from the creators here!