Now Director of Outreach for DNEG, a position that might be likened to that of Director of Recruitment, this actress by training has built up an impressive career between Walt Disney Animation Studios and DNEG, between Burbank and London. Her credits include Dinosaur, Rapunzel, The Snow Queen and Nimona, not to mention assignments for the 101 Dalmatians and Beauty and the Beast franchises.
These are just some of the projects in which Dana McGarry has invested herself with rigour, efficiency and kindness.
Today, it’s around her role for DNEG that we had the chance to chat. Never one to be stingy with advice, this industry veteran agreed to share with us her thoughts on the sector, as well as what, in her opinion, makes a good professional in constantly evolving productions.
With her, discover the tips you need to make the most of the captivating professional world of animated film.
“My role is to help students and talented young people get the job of their dreams”.
It’s a mission to which Dara McGarry has devoted herself for more than three years at the DNEG Animation studio in London, and which has enabled her to reveal a wealth of talent in an industry that still fascinates her to this day, even after several decades of navigating it.
“DNEG Animation is currently working on Angry Birds 3, Cat in the Hat, Bad Fairies and a whole host of other projects that I can’t tell you about today.
What’s certain is that our collaboration with Warner Bros Pictures Animation and Locksmith Animation fills us with joy, and promises some very fine animation in the future!”But it’s neither the former nor the latter that has produced the project that holds the most special place in Dara McGarry’s heart.
For her, it is Nimona, a production adored by animation fans and which almost never saw the light of day following the closure of the Blue Sky studio in 2021, that is the project of which she is most proud in recent years.
“It’s a project that required a lot of investment and a lot of love, especially when you consider the challenges it faced. We were honoured to be able to bring this superb ND Stevenson story to life, and take the film all the way to the Oscars.”
The start of a new era for the industry
Without commenting specifically on the situation in France, Dara McGarry points out that the current turmoil in the sector is a sign of a new era for the animation industry. “I think the studios have a better understanding of what audiences want to see, and are adapting to meet those demands. Clearly, the triple impact of Covid and the two strikes have transformed the industry in ways that were unthinkable before. Five years on, we’ve got used to streaming, binge watching, and we’re going back to the cinema, but the way we consume is drastically different. Remember how, at the time, the arrival of direct-to-video releases revolutionised the industry? This kind of change needs to be thought through both for our industry, but also globally.”
The director also emphasises the importance of globalisation in the way studios (including DNEG) work today. These are international companies with multiple offices and locations, and remote working is much more widely accepted than it was 10 years ago.
A social commitment that complements his professional activity
As a woman working in animation, Dara McGarry has faced many obstacles in her career. Today, she works with the UK branch of the international association Animation Women, which aims to help, support and integrate women into the animation industry.
“Although I’m happy to say that I see more and more women in my workplace, there are still pitfalls and problems that crop up. That’s why it’s so important to have a point of contact where you can get support, especially on key issues like balancing parenthood and working life in this sector!”
The association also organises fruitful and friendly networking, while remaining in regular contact with all the studios in the UK.
In France, the association Les Femmes s’Animent (LFA), founded 10 years ago by women from the various animation professions, is a key point of contact for these issues.
In animation, there’s strength in numbers
According to Dara McGarry, what characterises a good animation professional in 2025 is above all their passion for the craft, their openness to learning and evolving, and their ability to work reliably in a team. “Being very extroverted or being the best is not necessarily what we’re looking for. Good teams need many different skills to work. Everyone can bring their own superpower to the table, and contribute to the common effort. Because working together makes you stronger, it’s never a competition.”
That said, the veteran also stresses the importance of not resting on her laurels. “Just because you’ve got a job in a studio doesn’t mean you should stop pushing yourself. To succeed, you have to enjoy your work while remaining constantly curious about the workings of the profession. It all depends on your ambitions.
According to Dara McGarry, the sector will continue to evolve, following the growth trend established since the pandemic. In her view, animation will play an increasingly important role in the entertainment sector, and France will not be left behind.
“France has some of the greatest artists in the world”, she concludes, “and I think that the French animation industry has all the cards in its hand to position itself where it wants to on the international scene”.
His advice to the younger generation: Keep creating!
In a fast-changing industry where the standards remain high, Dara McGarry has just one piece of advice for students: keep creating! Whether it’s during their job search, between interviews, or throughout their career.
“You will always learn by creating, and believe me, your ideas will see the light of day.”
Still convinced of the strength of the group, she stresses the importance of getting together to create and make films with friends and former students.
Students who, even if they don’t always have the same level of skills depending on whether they receive high-quality training in 3D animation or more general training, will always be able to stand out for their energy and their ability to surpass themselves by working rigorously and stimulating their creativity, according to the recruiter.
“In this sense, I think that schools also have a role to play,” says Dara McGarry. “If they allowed young graduates to use their facilities to produce or practise for a while longer, that could lead to some great initiatives, and why not the creation of new studios! In any case, I think it could help these new talents to remain productive, add to their portfolios, and help them to enter the job market.”
To find out more about the opportunities offered by DNEG today, click here.