Animating Lipsync for VFX on "Underdog"

The short video above (15 minutes) is about animating dialogue and lipsync on the Disney live action film "Underdog". The VFX work was done at Cinesite (and also Framestore) in London back in 2006. As part of the development process I drew expression sheets, some of which you can see below. The purpose of these was to help the modelling department create blend shapes for the character rigs, showing a range of expressions and moods, which could then be captured in the animation.  Underdog was a great project, directed by veteran director Frederic Du Chau, with whom I had worked previously on "Quest for Camelot" and "Racing Stripes". 

Escapee Amelia Watson Joins ETC

Escapee Amelia Watson joins Electric Theatre Collective

Many congratulations to Escapee Amelia Watson who is joining Electric Theatre Collective.

Amelia Watson studied the Art of Computer Animation at Escape Studios, and contributed to a many award-winning short films including "Love, Mum", Tatty, The Stellar Rescue and Queerbaiting.

Amelia has been working at Escape as a Studio Assistant, helping to teach our second year students 3D Animation.

Why Writers Need Screen Credit

Don't forget to credit the writer 

The screen credit most commonly neglected by our student filmmakers is that of writer. Why should this be? Probably because, as animators and visual effects artists, our students tend to think visually, not in terms of language or story.  

But, however your film is imagined, it always starts with a story.  And whoever conceived that story should be credited as the writer.  

The writer credit is one of the key roles on a film, just as important as the director and producer. Why? Because in the end, it's all about telling a story.  

How to Get Screen Credits Right

Screen Credits are important to get right. Leave people out, spell their names wrong - there are all kinds of ways to annoy your fellow film-makers. 

Most important of all - be sure to credit all the key roles on your film.  In general, credit for the key heads of department will go to one person only.  There should be only be one director, and usually (but not always) one producer and one writer. 

If you need to credit someone else, give them a title such Associate Producer or Assistant Director. Extra writers can be credited under "Additional Story".

Make sure you credit (at least) the following roles; Director, Producer, Writer, Editor, Art Director, VFX Supervisor, Animation Director (or Head of Animation), CG Supervisor.  

2025 Rookies Opens 7 April 2025

Rookies info on Monday 17 Feb 2025

In less than two months it will be time for our students to enter The Rookies Awards 2025, the international competition for young creatives.  The competition opens on 7 April 2025 and the deadline is 20th June 2025.

The Rookies is hosting an information session tomorrow Monday 17 February for anyone who wants to know more. 

But don't wait until the deadline - it's always a good idea to get your project ready for entry.  Your checklist includes screen credits (don't forget Special Thanks), a One Sheet poster, development art - all these things can be prepared in advance of the 7 April opening. 

Meet The 2D Animation Team at Escape Studios

2D Animation Team at Escape Studios

Who Teaches 2D Animation at Escape Studios? Meet our talented 2D Animation team, the folks who are delivering our 2D Animation BA at Escape Studios as well as our Evening class in 2D Animation in Toonboom Harmony.

In recent years 2D Animation has experienced a significant revival both in the UK and overseas, as Studios such as Blue Zoo, Aardman Animation, and Brown Bag Films adopt new software such as ToonBoom Harmony.

"Mog's Christmas" BAFTA Nom Best Animated Short

Mog's Christmas - BAFTA Nominated

We're delighted to congratulate two of our newest tutors at Escape Studios, Shane Woodson and Rebecca Perrone, who both worked on the BAFTA-Nominated Short Film "Mog's Christmas", which has been nominated for Best Animated Short at this year's BAFTA awards. The awards ceremony takes place this Sunday 16th February 2025 at the Royal Festival Hall. 

Mog's Christmas is a TV Special created for Channel Four and animated at Lupus Films in London. 

"Vivid" Wins "Best Animation" at Milan Gold Awards

"Vivid" wins "Best Animated Film" in Milan

Congratulations to the makers of "Vivid", the latest short VFX film from Escape Studios, which has won an award for "Best Animated Film" at the Milan Gold Awards.

"Vivid" was created by our third year graduating class of VFX students.  Vivid was written and directed by Kia Claire, and produced by Amber Coventry.  Samuel Greer was the 3D VFX Lead and Williams Griffith was the 2D VFX Lead.  This is the film's second festival award. 

"Teamwork Panel" Tuesday 25 Feb 2025 at 6pm

On Tuesday 25th February  at 6pm I'll be hosting a "Teamwork Panel" of Escapees, part of the EscapeVerse Live Festival, which is now accepting bookings. 

The 2025 EscapeVerse Live Festival (formerly The VFX Festival) will be held live online from 24-27 February 2025.  

At the Teamwork Panel at 6pm I'll be talking with a number of Escapees about why teamwork matters, why the industry isn't a solo sport, and how they manage the challenges of group projects in industry. 

Join us at EscapeVerse Live and find out about the latest tech, the latest jobs, and how to break into the thriving - but rapidly evolving - creative industries.

"Unfamiliar" Wins "Best Short" at Int'l Gold Awards

Unfamiliar wins "Best Super Short" at Int'l Gold Awards

Congratulations to the makers of Unfamiliar, which has won "Best Super Short" at the International Gold Awards.

Unfamiliar was created by our Third Year Graduating Class of 3D Animation Students at Escape Studios.  It was written and directed by Catherine Hall, edited by Lucie Massamba and produced by Xhoana Tola.  The lead animator was Ruby Ebbs.  Industry feedback was generously provided by Charlie Tetlow and Felipe De Lanteuil from Industrial Light & Magic.  This is its first festival award.

"Vivid" Wins "Best Super Short" in London

Congratulations to the makers of "Vivid", the latest short VFX film from Escape Studios, which has won the award for "Best Super Short Film" at the London Movie Awards, based at the CloseUp Theatre in Shoreditch. 

"Vivid" was created by our third year graduating class of VFX students.  Vivid was written and directed by Kia Claire, and produced by Amber Coventry.  Samuel Greer was the 3D VFX Lead and Williams Griffith was the 2D VFX Lead.  This is its first festival award. 

How Big Should a Team Be? The "Two Pizza" Rule

The "Two-Pizza Rule"

How Big Should a Team Be? When we put together teams for our Group Projects at Escape Studios, what is the perfect size for the team?

One good answer is Jeff Bezos's "Two-Pizza Rule", developed in the early days of Amazon.com - any team that can't be fed by two pizzas is too big.  The same principle applies at Escape Studios.

How to Write a Great CV

Everyone needs a CV

As part of Professional Practice Module PR6001 our graduating class of undergraduate students must write a CV, as part of their preparation for entering the industry. 

CV stands for Curriculum Vitae - in Latin: "the story of your life". In the USA it is called a résumé.  Whatever the name, its purpose is to summarise your education, life history and skills as clearly and concisely as possible, and to put the best possible shine on your achievements. 

Why Animators Need to Finish Their Demo Reel

Get Your Demo Reel Done

One of the key tasks for our graduates is to be job-ready at the end of the course, and this includes finishing a professional-quality demo reel.  

An animator's demo reel is the single most important means of landing that crucial first job in the animation industry.  

The key thing is to get it done. Remember that your demo reel will never be perfect - it will always be a work-in-progress. 

"Mob Boss Barkino" Wins Hon Mention at EEFF

"Mob Boss Barkino" wins Hon Mention at the EEFF 

Congratulations to the makers of "Mob Boss Barkino", which has won an Honourable Mention in the category of Best Animation at the Eastern Europe Film Festival. 

Mob Boss Barkino was written and directed by Leon Lau, and produced by Angharad Mathias.  The lead animator was Maisy Rogers, and the Editor was Tobi Ajibola.  Industry feedback was generously provided by Charlie Tetlow and Felipe De Lanteuil from Industrial Light & Magic. 

Introducing "Ongo"

Introducing Ongo, a tale of mystery and magic in the woods.  Ongo was created by our third year graduating class of 3D animation students at Escape Studios.  The short film was written and directed by Anna Reyes Ramirez and produced by Stephanie Quelal Castaneda. Industry feedback was generously provided by Charlie Tetlow and Felipe De Lanteuil from Industrial Light & Magic. 

"Back on Track" Wins "Best Micro Short" Award

Congratulations to the makers of the short film "Back on Track", which has won the award for Best Micro Short at the Makizhmithran Film Festival. 

Back on Track was created by our third year graduating class of 3D animation students at Escape Studios.  

This is the third festival award for Back on Track.

Why Animators Should Cast their Net Wide

Landing your first job in the animation industry isn't easy. But what many graduates forget is just how many opportunities are out there - if you cast your net wide enough. 

Alongside world-beating animation companies like Aardman Animation, Blue Zoo, Framestore and DNEG are hundreds of small companies that are much less well known - almost 500 in the UK alone. 

There are just under 500 animation companies in the UK with at least one employee (ie not just a sole practitioner) and this creates a huge opportunity for an animator with the patience to look beyond the famous names.

Alfie Williams Animates Teleflex "Prostate Monster"

Escapee Alfie Williams

Many congratulations to Escapee Alfie Williams who has recently completed a freelance animation job for Teleflex, a US-based medical technology company.  Alfie animated Teleflex's character mascot, the so-called "Prostate Monster", to be presented live as part of an immersive on-stage experience at a medical conference.

Alfie created a series of short animations of the monster walking, blinking, and peeking, all rendered with a transparent background for seamless placement on conference screens. 

"Father's Blade" Wins "Best Trailer" at HoE Festival

Father's Blade wins Best Trailer at Heart of Europe Fest 

Congratulations to the makers of the short film "Father's Blade", which has won "Best Trailer" at the Heart of Europe Film Festival. 

"Father's Blade" was directed by Thomas Husband and produced by Hugo Whitworth; the editor was Alfie Williams and the lead animator was Brandon Rai.  This is the latest of many festival awards for Father's Blade.