Stage23
- Open roles
- 0
- Founded
- 2017
- Employees
- 11-50
- Offices
- 2
About Stage23
Stage23 is an independent, artist-owned visual effects and animation studio founded in Sydney in 2017 by Christian Debney and Jonathan Hairman. The company emerged from their collaboration on Swinging Safari, bringing together their backgrounds in visual effects supervision and filmmaking. It works across feature films, episodic television, streaming productions and commercial advertising, serving Australian and international productions.
The studio takes a design-led approach to visual storytelling, combining concept development and on-set supervision with digital production and finishing. Its capabilities span photorealistic creatures, character animation, digital environments, set extensions, compositing and complex effects simulations. Work ranges from anatomical creature development and rigging to ocean systems, storm-driven seas, weather effects, destruction and digital gore.
Creatures, environments and cinematic effects
Creature and character work forms a substantial part of Stage23’s portfolio. Its contributions include photorealistic CG kangaroos for Kangaroo, anatomical whale shark characters for Whale Shark Jack, and stylized animation for Woody Woodpecker Goes to Camp. Environmental work includes Amazon jungle vistas for Anaconda, maritime settings for The Bluff, and landscape integration and a simulated frozen lake for Went Up the Hill.
The company also contributes effects to horror, action, fantasy and drama. Its credited productions include MaXXXine, Monkey Man, Bring Her Back, Three Thousand Years of Longing, The Portable Door and Class of ’07. These projects reflect a practice encompassing both conspicuous digital imagery and effects integrated into live-action photography.
International production
Stage23 operates across Sydney and London, with its UK expansion established in 2026 to support European partnerships and international co-productions. The Australian and UK teams jointly delivered visual effects for Fing!, an Australia–UK co-production. Alongside its established film and television work, the studio develops real-time assets and virtual production capabilities, supported by in-house pipeline research and bespoke tool creation.
More about Stage23
Leadership and experience
Michelle Martin serves as Head of International Business Development, Executive Consultant and UK Director. Her previous experience includes senior visual effects roles at Framestore, Milk and Pixomondo.
Before founding the studio, Christian Debney directed animation for the London 2012 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony and operated VFX facilities in London. Jonathan Hairman previously supervised visual effects at Framestore.
Technology and operating model
The studio's specialized real-time division, Stage 23 Engine, uses Unreal Engine for virtual production, previs and game asset creation. The reported staffing model combines a permanent core of senior department heads and producers with contract artists engaged across project cycles.
Production recognition
Kangaroo, to which Stage23 contributed creature visual effects, won Best Feature Film at the 24th Annual SPA Awards and received eight AACTA Award nominations. These honors concern the film rather than a separately identified award to the studio.
Notable credits
24 creditsOffices
Where Stage23 is based
- Floor 2, Building 210, Entertainment Quarter, 122 Lang Road, Moore Park, NSW 2021, AustraliaSydney, New South Wales, Australia
Sydney office
HeadquartersOpened 2023
About this office
Global headquarters and production facility operated by STAGE 23 PTY LIMITED. Stage23 relocated to these Entertainment Quarter premises in May 2023.
- 348 Goswell Road, London, EC1V 7LQ, United KingdomLondon, England, United Kingdom
London office
Opened 2026
About this office
Direct UK and European studio facility operated through STAGE23UK LTD. Established in 2026; the London and Sydney teams jointly contributed to Fing!.
Open roles
Find your next role at Stage23