Studio Visit to Framestore 22 May 2026

Escape Studios visit to Framestore

We're delighted to announce a new studio visit to the London VFX house Framestore for our second year undergraduate animation students. 

This studio visit has been co-ordinated with Escapee Ana Erbasu who studied the Art of Computer Animation at Escape Studios, graduating Master of Arts, and went on to join Framestore as an animator. 

The studio visit takes place on Friday 22 May from 11am to 2pm at 28 Chancery Lane, London WC2A 1LB. 

"Producing 2D Animation" for the Animation Library

We've acquired a copy of Producing Independent 2D Character Animation by Mark Simon for the Animation Library at Escape Studios.   

Producing Independent 2D Character Animation is an important resource for any of our students interested in the production side of creating 2D animation.

Producing animation is an increasingly important part of what we teach at Escape Studios, as our students collaborate on short film projects, entering festivals and winning awards.

Being a successful animator isn't just about being good at animation; you also need to understand how group projects work, and learn how to collaborate with other artists in a studio environment.

Many Escapees have gone on to fill production roles at animation, games and VFX studios in recent years. 

Producing for VFX Returns 23 June 2026

Producing for VFX returns on 24 March 2026

Our Evening Class in Producing for VFX is back, starting on 23 June 2026.  Producing for VFX is an eight week evening class, taught two nights a week (Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7-10pm). 

Producing for VFX is designed to give students a thorough understanding of how the VFX production pipeline works, and how to apply it in practice.  VFX Producers and Line Producers remain a critical skills gap in industry. 

Character Design Evening Class Returns 24 June 2026

Character Design by Luzia Soares

Our 2D Character Design evening class returns to Escape Studios on 24 June 2026. 

Character Design is an eight week evening class taught by industry veterans.

Steve guides students through the principles of character design, building up to an industry brief.

3D Animation Evening Class Returns 23 June 2026

Chameleon by Dave Novis 

Our 3D Animation Evening Class runs for 20 weeks on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, from 7-10pm, and is taught online by veteran animator Matteo Sanna.

Students start with basic exercises and build towards an industry-ready demo reel.

The 3D Animation Evening Class returns on 23 June 2026. 

Escapee Emily Newton Joins Untold Studios

Emily Newton joins London VFX house Untold Studios 

Many congratulations to Escapee Emily Newton who has joined the London VFX house Untold Studios.  

Emily Newton studied the Art of VFX at Escape Studios, contributing to a number of award-winning short films including "AFK" and "Odd Socks". 

"An Evening With..." Neil Boyle & "Kensuke's Kingdom" on 19 May 2026 at 5.30pm

Join us on Tuesday 19th May at 5.30pm for our latest "An Evening With..." event - with Neil Boyle, director of the BAFTA-nominated 2D animated feature film "Kensuke's Kingdom" released in 2023. 

Neil Boyle will talk about the making of Kensuke's Kingdom, and also discuss the state of 2D animation in the UK and - as always - explore the latest opportunities for Escapees and recent graduates.  Note that this in-person event is open to our currently enrolled students only. 

Escape Studios' End of Year Showcase 3 June 2026

End of Year Showcase on Wednesday June 3rd

Escape Studios is proud to present our End of Year Showcase on Wednesday June 3rd at the Vue Cinema in Cranbourne St, Leicester Square from 9am until 5.30. 

All our graduating students are invited, and we also welcome out industry friends and colleagues, especially those looking to hire fresh talent.  To book your free ticket, follow the EventBrite link here. 

Bring Your Own Animation - Tues 28 April 2026

BYOA (Bring Your Own Animation) - 28 April 2026 

Calling all Escape Studios animation students -  BYOA (Bring Your Own Animation)  is a monthly animation event that takes place in London (usually every 3rd Monday of the month) at a London pub. 

Organised by the London chapter of SIGGRAPH,  the next BYOA takes place on Tuesday 28 April 2026 upstairs at the Nell of Old Drury 29 Catherine Street, Covent Garden, London WC2B 5JS from 7pm onwards. 

London Animation Club Monday 27 April 2026

London Animation Club meetup on Monday 27 April 2026

Calling all Escape Studios Animation Students. Why not come to the next London Animation Club meetup on Monday 27 April 2026 at The Green Man pub, 36 Riding House St at 7.30pm.

To find out more, visit the London Animation Club Facebook page here. 

"Night Terrors" Wins "Best Short Film" in Florence

"Night Terrors" wins "Best Super Short" in Florence  

Congratulations to the makers of the VFX short film "Night Terrors", which has won "Best Super Short Film" at the Florence Film Awards.  

Directed by Erminas Surgautas and produced by Xhoana Tola, "Night Terrors" was a collaboration between undergraduate animation students and VFX students at Escape Studios, working together to create an original story.  

The Art Director was Ruby Ebbs, Yusuf Saddique was the 2D VFX Lead, and Samuel Greer was the 3D VFX Lead.  This is its fifth festival award. 

Daniela Catita Joins London VFX house One of Us

Escapee Daniela Catita joins VFX house One of Us

Congratulations to Escapee Daniela Catita who has joined London VFX house One of Us as a Roto/Prep Artist.  One of Us is one of the UK's leading VFX houses.

Daniela Catita was a post-graduate student who studied the Art of VFX at Escape Studios, with tutors Daniel Shutt and Klaudija Cermak.  

"Spark" wins "Best Animation" in Milan

Spark wins "Best Animation" at the Milan Gold Awards 

Congratulations to "Spark", the new animated short created at Escape Studios by MA animation student Nimisha Manjunathan, which has won "Best Animation" at the Milan Gold Awards. 

 "Spark" was written and animated by Nimisha Manjunathan, studying for her MA in Animation with Escape Studios' animation tutor Lee Caller.  "Spark" tells the story of a girl who dreams of athletic success.  This is the film's second festival award. 

Escapee Sunny Asadi Joins Larian Studios

Sayna "Sunny" Asadi joins Larian Studios 

Many congratulations to Escapee Sayna "Sunny" Asadi who has joined Larian Studios in Guildford. as an animator.  Larian Studios is a global games studio, responsible for the many successful games including "Baldur's Gate 3".

Sunny Asadi took our master's degree in the Art of Computer Animation, taught by veteran animator Lee Caller.  

While at Escape Studios, Sunny contributed to a number of short films, including the award-winning short Same Day Delivery.

Sebastian McKernan Joins Untold Studios

Sebastian McKernan Joins Untold Studios

Many congratulations to Escapee Sebastian McKernan who has joined Untold Studios, one of London's leading VFX houses. 

Sebastian McKernan has been working at Escape Studios as a Studio Assistant; prior to that he studied the Art of VFX, contributing to a number of award-winning short films including "Sea of Madness" on which he served as the 3D Lead, and also and "X-Terminate".

"An Evening With...." Studio AKA 12 May 2026

Philip Hunt and Studio AKA 12 May 2026  

All our currently enrolled students are invited to join us for our next "Evening With..." event on Tuesday 12th May at 5.30pm for an in-person meeting with animator, actor and director Philip Hunt, the creative director of the Emmy and BAFTA-winning Studio AKA.  

Studio AKA is one of London's most innovative animation studios, and one of our long-standing industry partners.   Philip Hunt will talk about the work of Studio AKA, the current state of UK animation and - as always - where the entry-level jobs and opportunities are for Escapees and recent graduates. 

Escapee Michael Shaw joins One of Us

Michael Shaw joins London VFX house One of Us 

Congratulations to Escapee Michael Shaw who has joined London VFX house One of Us as a Roto/Prep Artist.  One of Us is one of the UK's leading VFX houses.

Michael Shaw was a post-graduate student who studied the Art of VFX at Escape Studios, with tutors Daniel Shutt and Klaudija Cermak.  

Robert Hagan Compositor at Framestore

Robert Hagan joins Framestore as a compositor

Many congratulations to Escapee Robert Hagan who has joined Framestore as a compositor. 

Robert Hagan was a post-graduate student at Escape Studios,. studying the Art of Visual Effects, specialising in 2D Compositing in Nuke. Framestore is one of the UK's leading visual effects houses.  

Feedback with Hammer Creative on Friday 17 April

Hammer Creative

We're delighted to welcome games industry agency Hammer Creative who are joining us tomorrow Friday April 17th to offer feedback to our 3rd year animation students on their graduation projects. 

Our 3rd year animation students are currently collaborating with games students to deliver a joint project, including a cinematics reel. 

ILM's "Jedi Academy" Now Open For Applications

Industrial Light & Magic's Jedi Academy is now open

Industrial Light & Magic's Jedi Academy, a six month paid internship at ILM, is now open for applications.

You can apply here, and the deadline is May 4th 2026.  We highly recommend that our students and Escapees apply.