VanArts Animation Grads Help Contribute to Harry Potter’s Magic

VanArts grads have worked on various Harry Potter movies.

Harry Potter aimed his wand at movie making history 10 years ago, and has since become the biggest franchise in the history of film. Along the way, he’s had a lot of help from VanArts Animation graduates.

Graduates like Mike Cusack, who worked on The Chamber of Secrets as a CG effects artist. After that, he came to VanArts to focus on 2D Character Animation from 2003-2004.

“I was attracted to VanArts because their program specializes in animation,” said Cusack.

“Studying the 2D Animation Diploma Program, I hoped to learn the industry-based skills and principles of character animation through the personal instruction that VanArts offers in the relaxed atmosphere of Vancouver.”

After a year at VanArts , he worked as an animator on Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire. He has also worked on major projects such as Tim Burton’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader.

Here’s a look at some of the other VanArts grads who have helped Harry Potter along the way:

Lionel Heath (Goblet of Fire, Order of the Phoenix, The Half-Blood Prince)
Nik Brownlee (Goblet of Fire, Order of the Phoenix, The Deathly Hallows Part 2)
Sam Osborne (The Half-Blood Prince, The Deathly Hallows Part 2)
Aaron Brown (The Deathly Hallows Part 1)

Schools mentioned: VanArts – Vancouver Institute of Media Arts