Breaking into Games & Portfolio Strategy with Ben Hearn

Are you trying to break into the games or VFX industry but feel lost in the sea of general advice?

Most students think entering the industry is a straight line: graduate, send a CV, get hired. The reality? Major studios don’t hire generalists—they hire specialists to solve specific pipeline problems.

Join us at SAE Institute Berlin for an exclusive masterclass with industry professional Ben Hearn. Having built a career at the crucial intersection of Art and Tech—directly embedded in high-level art teams while mastering the technical side—Ben will debunk the myths of industry entry and show you what it actually takes to get noticed by recruiters.

What you will learn:

• The Non-Linear Path: Real insights into how careers in games are actually built, beyond the textbook.
• The Specialist Mindset: Why a "mixed" portfolio can be a major red flag for AAA studios, and how to master "role-based" hiring context.
• The Truth about "Pivoting": When flexibility helps (Indie studios) and when it hurts (AAA contexts)—and how to transition disciplines over time without killing your chances.

The Centerpiece: Live Portfolio Audit

This is not just another dry lecture. We will run a live, "brutally honest" professional audit of 4–5 selected student portfolios (ArtStation, GitHub, Behance). Ben will dissect these examples live on stage, showing you exactly what makes a lead click "Next" or "Hire" within the first 5 seconds.

Want your portfolio reviewed by Ben? Submit your portfolio to l.hoppe@sae.edu

4–5 diverse portfolios (mixing Art, Tech, and Code) will be pre-selected for the live breakdown.
SUBMISSION DEADLINE is Monday 8.6.26

Agenda:

• 17:00 - 17:30 | Part 1: The Reality Check (Industry shifts, hiring trends, and focus as currency)
• 17:30 - 18:30 | Part 2: Live Portfolio Deep-Dive & Analysis
• 18:30 - 19:00 | Part 3: Interactive Q&A Session

Who is this for?

This masterclass is explicitly designed for Games, Art, Animation, and VFX students/graduates. If you are an artist who thinks tech doesn’t matter, or a coder who wants to understand how to work with art teams, this session is mandatory.

Seats are strictly limited. Secure your free ticket now!