MANAGING MENTAL HEALTH IN GAMES, VFX & DESIGN

Join CREATOR CO-LABS for an engaging panel discussion on Mental Health in the Creative Industries, featuring distinguished industry experts from Blowfish Studios and JMC Academy.

This event will delve into the essential topics of mental well-being for creators and digital artists, focusing on resilience, boundaries, and sustaining motivation within a creative role. Our expert panelists, including a seasoned HR specialist, a clinical psychotherapist, and an experienced design director, will offer their insights on nurturing creativity, talent and communication in high-performance environments. We will also discuss the current industry challenges, creator burnout, the job hunting process, and managing the self-talk as we transition into a new era of the creative industries.

Don't miss this opportunity to learn more about managing your mental health while navigating the demands of the creative industries!

EVENT DETAILS

DATE

28th October 2024

AGENDA

6.00PM Mingling / Dinner / Drinks

7.00PM Panel Discussion / Audience Q&A

8.15PM till late Mingling / Dinner / Drinks

LOCATION

Forrester's Pub 

336 Riley St, Surry Hills NSW 2010 (Level 2)

MEET THE EXPERTS

Myles Blasonato // Design Director - Blowfish Studios

Myles is a lead game designer with over 15 years of experience in the gaming industry, currently leading projects at Blowfish Studios focused on innovative AAA Web3 games. He has contributed to well-known titles like God of War, Heavy Rain, and Destroy All Humans. Myles also teaches game design at the Academy of Interactive Entertainment and conducts research on Immersive Sims, examining whether they represent a new paradigm or game genre. Additionally, he runs The Design Lab Blog, which delves into Web3 game design and development, continuously pushing the boundaries of gaming innovation and education.

Patricia Kung // Contract Recruitment, Business Partner People & Culture, NIDA & JMC Academy

Patricia is a seasoned professional with over 20 years of global experience in the animation and visual effects industry, having worked in recruitment and talent acquisition at leading studios such as Flying Bark, DNEG Sydney, Wētā FX, and Animal Logic. Her extensive career began in cinema management before transitioning to recruitment at Animal Logic, where she contributed to major titles like Happy Feet, The LEGO Movie, and Captain Marvel. Committed to fostering the next generation of talent, Patricia has recently moved into education, teaching professional development at JMC Academy, participating in the IGEA Educators working group 2021 – 2023) and volunteering as an Industry Expert for Careers NSW. Patricia is currently studying for a Graduate Certificate in Education (Training and Leadership) with a mission to connect people, experiences, and opportunities, helping others navigate the ever-evolving entertainment landscape.

Erica Schuman - Psychotherapist - Erica Schuman Psychotherapy

Erica has over 15 years of experience in start-ups, not-for-profits, and raising four children before earning her Masters in Psychotherapy and Counselling. She discovered Somatic Experiencing (SE), a method that has greatly impacted both her and her clients. After training in Israel and Melbourne, she became a certified Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (SEP) and trained in Brainspotting. Now in private practice, Erica helps creatives and professionals with trauma, anxiety, depression, addiction, and relationship issues, especially mid-life crises. Her approach helps people understand how trauma affects the nervous system and empowers them to heal. Through SE, Erica helps clients release emotional charges from past experiences, allowing them to move forward with clarity and creativity.

MEET THE HOST

Annemarie Gereis // Talent Acquisition & Development Specialist / VFX Trainer - Annemarie Gereis Consulting / UNSW

Combining her love for creativity and technology, Annemarie has worked on over 20 blockbuster TV shows and films, including 'Guardians of the Galaxy,' 'Gotham,' and 'Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.,' across Los Angeles, Atlanta, Sydney, and Austin. She enjoys collaborating with organizations to improve business strategies and creative workflows. Annemarie also provides training in personal development and mentors career changers in visual effects. She is an international speaker, lectures at the University of New South Wales and is the founder of the Creator Co-Labs mixer event for creatives.

Looking forward to seeing you there!