Is This Circle For You?
Is this Circle right for you? If so, make sure you meet the criteria that the mentor has defined. Then, complete your mentorship profile if you have not already done so, and return to our Mentor Circles Application page, make your selection and click 'apply'.
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Getting Ready to Direct
Do you have a few years of experience under your belt and you’re ready to move into a creative leadership role? Maybe put yourself in the path of directing your first project? Then this circle might be for you. We’ll talk about what it takes to move from being an artist or prod staff working as part of the crew to positing yourself as a director who will be responsible for a whole crew.
During this circle, we will discuss how to:
- Know what projects, work environments, and companies are right for you.
- Grow your confidence so you can communicate your great ideas.
- Get over perfectionism so you can do amazing work and shine.
- Learn different communication styles to best interact with the various departments and artists.
- Prepare for a great pitch.
- And more!
This circle is idea for folks with a few years of experience at an animation production company or studio who want to take on a larger creative role.
Mentee Criteria
Experience Level:
2-3 years
Meeting Times & Dates
Please note: Meeting times and dates are subject to change by your Circle Mentor
Times Per Month: Once
Dates: Thursday
Meeting Times: 4 to 5 pm PST
Circle Leader
Clare Knight
CLARE KNIGHT A.C.E. (née Clare de Chenu) is a Director of the recent animated feature for Netflix – Back to the Outback – released on December 10, 2021. She is the first female Director of an original feature film from the Netflix Animation studio.
She earlier served as the Lead Editor of the entire Dreamworks Kung Fu Panda franchise, as well as taking the editorial helm for the Lego franchise on LEGO 2: The second part.
At a very early age in her native Dublin, young Clare realized she wanted to be a part of the motion picture industry. Clare studied Theatre Design at the Wimbledon School of Art in London. She graduated summa cum laude as a Film major from London’s St. Martins School of Art. Her short films were entries in the London Film Festival and “The Best of British” Festival in Vienna.
Beginning her career in documentaries and television, Clare made the move to live action features as an assistant on Neil Jordan’s We’re No Angels in Dublin. Returning to London, she worked on the feature, The Return by Phil Mulloy as well as numerous dramas and documentaries for the BBC, ITV and Channel 4.
In 1991, Clare joined Amblimation on their first picture, An American Tail: Fievel Goes West as an Assistant Editor to Nick Fletcher and Sim Evan Jones. She continued with the company on We’re Back, A Dinosaur’s Story and Balto.
At the creation of Dreamworks Animation, Clare moved to Los Angeles for The Prince of Egypt. She became an Associate Editor on Spirit, Stallion of the Cimarron. She made major contributions to Shark Tale and Madagascar and was the Editor of The Penguins’ Christmas Caper and The Trolls holiday special.
Title/Expertise: Animation Director and Editor
Location: Los Angeles
LinkedIn / Website:
imdb.com/name/nm0208005/