Stefan had just skidded in from the UK in 2005 when Guy hired him for his first animation gig in Australia. They had a lot to talk about and their zest and zeal for animation launched ‘The Magnificent Itch’ in Sydney in 2011. Stef brings to the table a bunch of applauded short films and commercials including ‘Vinny’ for the UK’s Channel 4 and ‘The Lighthouse’ for Liberty Mutual in the US. Guy and Stef collaborated on the Digicel commercials which were included in the ‘best of’ in ‘Creative’ magazine in 2011.
Years of freelancing cemented their determination to work in a way that is respectful to the client, the artists and the art form.
‘The Itch’ spans all types of computer animation from commercials to architectural visualisation to short films.
Stefan Wernik
Director
Stefan started his career in the UK in 1990 as a graphic design assistant at HTV in Bristol England. Soon after that he started his own business, Subvision, directing commercials and promotional material for clients such as Smirnoff Vodka, the BBC and Bassetts confectionery. Subvision also animated several award nominated films such as Vinny for Channel 4.
Stefan then worked in Children’s TV, working on two seasons of ‘The Jellies’, as Second Unit Director and then Series Director on over a hundred episodes. He also worked on pilots and development for several other children’s series.
After starting a family and emigrating to the wide open spaces of Australia in 2005, the freelance whirl has added Directing credits for the Animated Kids Bible series and Beyond TV, as well as commercial work for among others Citizen Watches and Foxtel . He was the Animation Director on a short film for Liberty Mutual, ‘Lighthouse’ which was nominated for several awards including best short at the Australian Effects and Animation Festival. Since starting The Magnificent Itch he has Directed several TVC’s shot a film in Stereoscopic 3D and worked as a consultant on several Stereo 3D commercials.
Guy Jamieson
Director
Guy has worked in the animation industry of Sydney Australia since 1996. He started his career in the digital department of the 2D animation company Energee Entertainment,working on kids series Crocadoo and the animated feature film The Magic Pudding.
After returning to study Visual Communication at the University of Western Sydney, he worked in design for 2 years, before returning to his passion of animation, where he was Lead Animator on the Animated Kids Bible series.
Guy performed a 2 year stint animating documentaries for Hive Studios. Before it was America, Death of the Mega Beasts, Voyage to the Planets and the children’s series My Friend Mark were among the series that he contributed to.
Guy then began his adventure into the world of television commercials. Freelancing as a 3D animator for a number of animation houses around Sydney. Working on TVC’s for brands such as Birsdeye Fish Fingers, Digicel, Wrigleys and Foxtel.
Lisa Madden
Producer
Lisa cut her creative chops working for the BBC in England. Over ten years, she worked mainly in the Natural History Unit and Children’s TV, researching and scripting for ‘The Natural World’, ‘Blue Peter’ and ‘The Really Wild Show’ amongst others. She assistant produced ‘The Stables’, directing several episodes and writing the narrative for the BAFTA nominated series.
Since coming ‘home’ to Australia, Lisa has worked extensively as a photographer and writer for print and online media. The proud owner of a pair of construction-seasoned safety boots, Lisa has written about and photographed some of Sydney’s most innovative buildings. She has photographed for law firms, restaurants and NGO’s, written for Time Out, Marriott Hotels and Monument.