About Us - Stage23
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About Us

Who we are and what we do

About Stage 23

Stage 23 brings together Australia’s finest VFX artists. Being artist-run, all of our resources are put into what ends up on screen; creative development and final finesse.

We are here to listen to your needs as storytellers and filmmakers, and to determine the best visual effects approach to your project. We have a strong emphasis on concept and planning. We understand that it’s all about quality in the final image.

Christian and Jonathan founded Stage 23 after working together on Swinging Safari; with Chris as 2nd unit director and Jonathan as visual effects supervisor. Each has over 25 years’ experience in VFX and film making. Our careers have spanned the US, UK and Australia.

We maintain close relationships with leading Australian film industry figures and uniquely talented artists – local and international. 

The Team

Creative Director / Co-Owner
CHRISTIAN DEBNEY

Christian specialises in animation, photorealistic 3D and concept art. Christian has directed music promos and commercials for a prestigious list of clients including Coldplay and Simple Minds. He has been represented by production houses such as MPC and Crossroad Films. To realise his vision for these projects, Christian ran two VFX and animation studios in London with over 30 staff.

Christian has previously worked across many disciplines within film production from making prop lightsabers on the Star Wars prequels, to set building on Sexy Beast and mask making on V for Vendetta.

Before moving to Australia, Christian was a director of animation on the London Olympics Opening Ceremony working alongside Danny Boyle. He was second unit director on Stephan Elliott’s Swinging Safari (2018).

VFX Supervisor / Co-Owner
JONATHAN HAIRMAN

Jonathan has over 20 years’ experience in visual effects in London, New York and Sydney. He has supervised multiple features, TV series and commercials, including ten-part series The End, with Seesaw Productions. For this production, he was responsible for matte painting, CG effects, creature effects and green screen compositing. 

He was the primary supervisor on David Gordon Green’s Our Brand is Crisis (2015), starring Sandra Bullock, Billy Bob Thornton and Anthony Mackie. He was also supervisor on season two of the HBO TV series, Vice Principles (2017), directed by David Gordon Green alongside Jody Hill and Danny McBride and starring Danny McBride, Walton Goggins and Bill Murray.

Jonathan worked at leading visual effects house Framestore in London for ten years as well as Sydney’s Animal Logic. Other clients include David Gordon Green, Stephan Elliott, Martin Krejci and Jonas Akerlund.

He has also delivered commercials for high end clients, working alongside Jonathan Glazer, Frank Budgen and Tom Hooper (but not on Cats… we promise we didn’t do Cats…).

Head of 2D / VFX Supervisor
NIKI BERN

Niki began her visual effects career specialising in compositing in the 90s. She has worked at major VFX companies throughout her career such as Weta Digital, Animal Logic, RSP,  Framestore and Digital Domain. Niki has worked on The Matrix Reloaded, Pirates of the Caribbean, King Kong, Captain America, Avengers, Happy Feet, 2012, Avatar and many more.

In recent years, Niki has focused on local content, supervising compositing teams on Peter Rabbit, Halloween, I Am Woman and The Invisible Man. Niki is highly regarded in the industry internationally and brings a wealth of knowledge to the Stage 23 team.

VFX Supervisor
JEREMY HOWDIN

Jeremy brings over 20 years experience to Stage23, from companies such as Mighty Nice (Head of Studio/VFX Supervisor), Resolution (Head of 3d/VFX Supervisor) and Animal Logic.

Jeremy has brought projects such as I, Frankenstein, Walking with Dinosaurs, Happy Feet Two and Legend of the Guardians to the big screen

Jeremy was nominated for “Outstanding Visual Effects” for his work on Farscape at the 57th Emmy Awards in 2005. In 2004, he was awarded a scholarship at the Academy of Interactive Entertainment (AIE). He has completed a degree in Industrial Product Design at the University of Canberra and a Master Class in Design of Photography at AFTRS, Sydney.

Junior VFX Producer / Coordinator
NICK ELLIOTT-PIMM

Nick joined Stage 23 in early 2021 and has coordinated the VFX team for sci-fi feature Ascendant.

As an experienced film production generalist and graduate in literature and creative studies, Nick also produces content for Stage 23’s website and social media platforms, along with internal and client-facing media.

 
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CEO

Harry Potter

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Creative Director

Hermione Granger

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Graphic Designer

Ron Wesley

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Social Media Manager

Ginny Wesley

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Who We Are

A Bit About Us

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