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Don’t Stop Believing: Animation Career Exploration Trek w/ DNEG (A part of YNYN)
by
Thu, Mar 5, 2026
10 AM – 11:30 AM CST (GMT-6)
Online Event
Registration
Details
Hear from Dara McGarry, Director of Outreach at DNEG Animation, as she demystifies the recruitment process, shares what studios look for in emerging global talent, and explains how to stand out and present your work strategically. Then, Emmy-winning Animation Supervisor Ken Fountain will share his unique career journey, offering an honest look at the paths, pivots, and creative challenges that shape a long-term career in animation.
Through this interactive session, students will gain practical guidance, industry perspective, and inspiration from professionals shaping the future of global animation and VFX.
Speakers
Dara McGarry
Director of Outreach
DNEG
Dara McGarry started her career at Disney Feature Animation in 1997, and over the course of 13 years worked in a variety of departments including Production, Technology and Effects on films such as Dinosaur, Chicken Little, Tangled and Frozen. But being a bonafide anglophile, she jumped at the chance to move to London in 2010, working as an Artist Manager for DNEG VFX. A few years later, DNEG opened a Feature Animation division with Dara as the Artist Manager, helping to grow and shape the team from its nascent days of 12 people to a global team of 800. She now serves as Director of Outreach for DNEG Animation.
A deep desire to support and grow the animation industry in the UK has led Dara on a quest to find and nurture young talent and ensure they have the skills and knowledge to succeed in our industry.
Ken Fountain
Emmy winning Animation Supervisor
DNEG
Although a veteran of the Chicago theater and music scenes, Ken Fountain cut his teeth as an animator in the cityʼs thriving advertising market – creating character work for well respected studios like Calabash Animation and Radar Studios.
In 2007 he was tapped to join the DreamWorks Animation crew in Glendale California, and given the privilege to contribute animated performances to many worldwide blockbusters, including “Monsters Vs. Aliens”, “Shrek 4”, “Kung Fu Panda 2”, “Megamind”, “Puss in Boots”, as well as parts of the “How to Train Your Dragon” franchise.
Since leaving California, Ken has continued working on major studio titles, including: “The Peanuts Movie” from Blue Sky Studios; the critically acclaimed, and Oscar nominated Google Spotlight Story “Pearl”, directed by Oscar-winning director, Patrick Osbourne (“Feast”); the Annie award winning “The Legend of Crow” and the Emmy award winning “Baba Yaga” for Baobab Studios; and most recently the Emmy award nominated “Entergalactic” and “That Christmas”, the Oscar nominated “Nimona”, and the soon to be released “Cat in the Hat” for DNEG Animation.
Ken is currently an Animation Supervisor at DNEG Animation in London, UK.