“DNEG has given me the freedom to think and act, which is every manager’s dream, and I enjoy the company’s faith and trust in my abilities to make the right decisions for the team.”
Dijo Davis joined DNEG’s training department in Mumbai in 2019 as a Senior Training Manager. Now, as our Head of Training for the UK and India, Dijo is responsible for analyzing and planning strategic department-centric training programs for DNEG. Read on to hear about his journey from heading India’s training initiatives to now serving both the UK & India’s training needs.
Hello Dijo! What brought you into the world of VFX and Animation?
The majority of us in the VFX profession are often quoted as stating, “We are all here by choice and not by chance.” Indeed, I find the same to be true in my own life. I began my career as a trainer for computer programming languages including Java, C, C++, and Visual Basics. Later, one day out of the blue, I pushed myself to choose an industry that I would enjoy the most and be successful in, and I chose VFX. In those days, Animation and VFX were not particularly popular, but I’m forever grateful that I took the plunge.
How did your journey start? Any career highlight(s) so far?
My journey began as an incubator trainer for a training institute, which later led me to join MPC as a trainer for their Matchmove team. I was always motivated and determined to be a part of the visual effects industry and even to this day, the need to learn from such a vast ocean of constantly developing technology and challenging learning situations has only increased. My professional highlights include developing a training system for the Academies / Greenlight programme, establishing a strong presence in the VFX education industry, and being able to adapt training for the benefit of the organisation.
What is your day-to-day like as a Head of Training – UK & India?
Working from home has simply established a new norm of working. My typical day begins with reviewing my daily tasks, assessing ongoing initiatives, and working closely on the development of overall training processes. My day also comprises of meeting key stakeholders to get their perspectives and needs, and then executing the plan with the help of our fantastic training team.
What do you like the most about your job?
DNEG has given me the freedom to think and act, which is every manager’s dream, and I enjoy the company’s faith and trust in my abilities to make the right decisions for the team. All of this is achievable only if the right people are in the right place, which I believe DNEG has got right.
Could you briefly shed some light on your experience working at DNEG so far?
My collaboration with DNEG has been marked by mutual respect and trust. I began my journey here in Mumbai, heading Team India, with great expectations, and my responsibilities are now extended to both the UK and India offices. It is fair to say that my experience has evolved North, and I enjoyed every bit of it.
What advice would you give to someone wanting to pursue a career in the industry?
There is no substitute for hard work and persistence. In today’s fast-paced world, it is necessary to balance this act with caution. For someone who is just starting their career in VFX and animation, I would advise them not to get swept away with all of the free knowledge available, but rather to aim, choose, and decide what they want to be in this industry and work towards it with a clear mind. This industry is rapidly growing, and there is no dearth of opportunities, but there is a scarcity of experienced and knowledgeable students. And lastly, YES, you do have a chance.
Time for some rapid-fire questions – What’s your ‘special power’ at work?
To create an environment for opinionated discussion.
What do you look forward to every day?
Creative training challenges and ways to overcome them.
How did you feel on your first day at DNEG?
Ever so welcomed and supportive. I have always felt like home even then as well as now.
What is your proudest moment to date?
There are three – the moments when DNEG won the Oscar for First Man, Tenet, and Dune.
Finish this sentence: DNEG is…
A futuristic organisation that has a practical approach to any given challenge.
JOIN US!
To find out about Training and Career Development at DNEG, click here. And if you are interested in joining DNEG’s Oscar-winning team, stay tuned for our next ‘FOCUS’ and click here to find out more about our open positions across our studios in North America, Europe and India.