About

Hackett Films decided it was time to have a name that suits its multi-disciplinary approach, hence Studio Hackett. We still love motion graphics, animation and live-action but we also love design, digital education and illustration and our new name encompasses all that we do.

If you have a project, let’s work together!

Our Team

  • James Hackett

    Creative Director

    James has guided the studio creatively and as a business since the early 2000s. His eye for design is remarkable. His technical knowledge, second to none. James is internationally regarded for his work and his skills and experience have enabled Studio Hackett to work in sectors that range from broadcast TV to educational games. His expertise is the lynchpin between story and design. James loves getting to the heart of a character and is happy directing live-action talent or animated characters. In his spare time, he has written a young adult fiction novel set in 2041 (coming to a bookstore and your Kindle very soon!).

  • Zoe Jones-McLeod

    Producer & Production Manager

    Zoe grew up in a family full of artists. With a natural eye for artistic composition and a forced progression into organising and managing creatives, Production was the perfect fit. After studying Theatre/Media at Charles Sturt University in Bathurst, Zoe saved up her pennies by managing a DVD store in Sydney then jetted off to the US, travelling from LA to NYC in an RV. She then began her Production career while living in Toronto, Ontario and progressed here in Sydney working with various production companies in both live-action and post-production. Zoe has an incredible eye for detail and a love for all things film.

  • Bryn Desmond-Jones

    Lead Animator / Designer

    Bryn specialises in beautiful design and elegant animation. He can traverse the dimensions; having the rare ability to work in 3D or 2D. Bryn is passionate about his work and when he’s not here with us he is hanging with his zine mates from Beef Knuckles. He has worked at Resolution and many other fine establishments in Sydney and Melbourne. BDJ has a BA and MA, he studied all things interactive and animation at Sydney College of the Arts and later at RMIT.

  • Michael Mascarenas

    Animator / Designer

    Whether it’s animating, compositing, shooting stop-mo, or modelling 3D characters Michael’s inspired by all forms of animation. He’s comfortable working in 2D and 3D and if there’s a technical challenge out there that he hasn’t yet got his head around, then he’ll be on it while listening to 80’s disco bangers! After six months freelancing with us and six months at the ABC, Michael joined Studio Hackett full-time. His love for finding a creative and/or technical solution was a major influence on his time tutoring and demonstrating a 3D course over at UTS, from which he also graduated with honours. Got a problem? Not a problem! Like a cuppa? He’s got mad tea skillz too!

What our clients say

  • "Bringing vision, expertise and a highly skilled, passionate team to the table. Studio Hackett are a professional and innovative studio. They were able to collaborate and successfully navigate the inherent challenges of co-production to create the unique design that is 'dirtgirlworld', a 52 x 11 minute, groundbreaking preschool series."

    Mememe Productions – Cate McQuillen & Hewey Eustace

  • "In 2010 I came up with an idea for a humorous kids’ science book, How to Make a Planet. I asked a colleague in TV: “If I wanted Pixar in Australia, where would I go?”, and Hackett Films was suggested. From the very first meeting I knew I’d come to the right place."

    Klepac Publishing – Ariana Klepac

  • "We worked with Hackett Films in 2011 for the first time on the 13th annual IF Awards broadcast and were delighted with the results for the motion graphics on screen at the event and for the broadcast. We would definitely work with Hackett Films again, they are a great team, brimming with good ideas."

    If Awards – Annie Parnell

  • "Hackett Films are fantastic at turning raw concepts in to reality. They worked really closely with us at BLOKE to turn a character idea we had for the Maritime Museum in to a fully realised TVC and they added so much to the process along the way. Nothing is ever too much for James, Sarah and the team and they always go the extra mile."

    Bloke — Mike O’Rourke

Facilities

Studio Hackett sits in the City of Sydney artistic hub, Chippendale. There is off-street parking for you beneath the studio. There are twelve desks, an edit suite and large meeting area where we can review and collaborate on your job. The layout is adaptable allowing us to do castings and small-scale shoots. Our friends Tactile Music have some space in our studio which enables fast, high-production value audio under the one roof. Come around for a meeting, we’ll make you a great cup of tea.

Contact us