Blue Zoo's Alfie Williams Visits Escape 13 Nov 2026

Escapee Alfie Williams joins us from Blue Zoo 

We're delighted to welcome Escapee Alfie Williams, who is working as a Layout Artist at Blue Zoo, to join us on November 13th at 9.45am to talk to our 3rd year 2D animation students about his experience since leaving Escape Studios and finding work in the animation industry. 

Blue Zoo is one of the UK's leading animation companies and one of our key industry partners at Escape Studios. 

Alfie Williams studied the Art of Computer Animation at Escape Studios, where he contributed to a number of award-winning short films including "Father's Blade" and "Infestation".  

Project Umbrae Finalist at Horror Haven Film Expo

"Project Umbrae" Finalist at Horror Haven Film Expo

Many congratulations to the makers of "Project Umbrae", which is a Finalist at The Horror Haven Film Expo. 

Project Umbrae was a collaboration between students studying the Art of Video Games and the Art of Computer Animation.  

Project Umbrae is a first person psychological horror experience.  You can find the Project Umbrae trailer at Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/1190412394. 

Pete Western: How to Break Into Storyboarding

Pete Western visits Escape Studios

On Friday 30 October we welcomed BAFTA winning storyboard artist Pete Western to talk to our 3rd Year 2D animation students about Animation Jobs and Careers, part of Professional Practice Module PS6003.  

Pete Western has three decades of experience doing storyboards for film and television.  

What was Pete's advice on how to break into the industry as an animator and storyboard artist?

"Grab your opportunities, learn to get along with people, and listen carefully - especially to the director". But above all - "be adaptable".

Escape Studios 3D Animation Reel 2026

Escape Studios is delighted to present our latest 3D animation reel - a selection of the best 3D animation completed at Escape Studios in the past year. Congratulations to all our students on their excellent work.

Time to Enter the November 11 Second Club

The 11 Second Club

Time to enter the The 11 Second Club, the monthly character animation competition in which aspiring animators compete to win prizes and get their work noticed.

The 11 Second Club invites animators from all over the world to participate, animating a character speaking a line of dialogue, which is provided on the first day of every month by the club.

Directing the Story by Francis Glebas

"Directing the Story" by Disney director Francis Glebas

We've got new books for the Animation Library at 6 Mitre Passage - including new copies of "Directing the Story" by Disney director Francis Glebas.

Francis Glebas is a Disney storyboard artist, animator and director whose book Directing the Story teaches artists a structural approach to visual storytelling. 

Directing the Story is an important resource for all our students looking to improve their skills in writing, directing and storyboarding.  

Martyn Niman: How to Get an Animation Internship

Martyn Niman of King Bee Animation

Last Friday October 30th we welcomed King Bee Animation Founder Martyn Niman to talk to our third year animation students about jobs and careers in the animation industry 

Martyn Niman has been running King Bee Animation at Elstree Studios in North London for well over a decade, and  has offered many internships and jobs to Escape Studios students and Escapees over the years. What was Martyn's advice to students looking to break into the industry? "Be on Linkedin, have a great portfolio, and have your own unique voice and passion".

Why Business Cards Still Matter

Escapee Maria Robertson

Are business cards still relevant?  We think so. A well designed business card is still the best way to hand over your details to someone you just met.

When you meet a recruiter or an employer at an industry event, it's important that they can access all the important information about you: your name, email address, phone number - and a link to your website or blog.

The good news is that business cards are now very cheap.  We recommend Moo.com; their interface is simple and easy to use, and within a few minutes you can place an order for 20 business cards for just £15.

Yes, you might meet someone at an event and then find them later at Linkedin.  Or you might scribble your name and number on a napkin. But a business card shows a level of organisation and committment to your professional career. 

Welcome To Our New Studio Assistants!

Welcome to our new Studio Assistants!

A warm welcome to our new Studio Assistants ("SAs") at Escape Studios.  Amelia Connolly, Benji Carter, Joel Fernandes, Rowza Aziz and Yiannis Thomas have all joined the team. 

Our Studio Assistants are a key part of the team at Escape Studios, one of the principal resources for our students, making sure that they get regular timely feedback on their work. 

 

Concept Art and Background Painting

The video above is a short introduction to the art of background painting and concept art. Background painters and concept artists tend to come from a fine art or illustration background, with strong skills in design, colour, layout, painting and the use of light and perspective.

Concept Artist John Ramirez Visits Escape 13 Nov

Concept Artist and Experience Designer John Ramirez

Escape Studios is delighted to welcome visual development artist John Ramirez to review our students' work on Friday 13th November at 4pm GMT. 

John Ramirez is an animator, storyboard artist, visual development artist, designer, illustrator and art director.   John Ramirez has designed rides and parades for many theme parks and attractions including Disneyland and Tokyo Disneyland. His screen credits include Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, The Lion King, Hercules, Toy Story II and Tom & Jerry.

"Project Juliet" wins "Best Horror Short" Award

Congratulations to the makers of  "Project Juliet", which has won "Best Horror Short Film" at the Tamizhagam Film Festival.  

In "Project Juliet", an unfortunate lab tester is forced to undergo a dangerous trial, with horrifying consequences.  

Project Juliet was created by "Team Psychosis" at Escape Studios, produced by Pahiya Rahman, and was inspired by The Outlast Trials, a survival game created by Montreal-based games company Red Barrels.  

The cinematic was a collaboration between our graduating class of students studying the Art of Video Games, The Art of Animation and also Character Creation - working together to create a team project.  This is its third festival award. 

Tom Box, Blue Zoo and AI

Tom Box and Blue Zoo's AI Manifesto

Blue Zoo - one of the UK's leading animation companies, and one of our key industry partners at Escape Studios - is tackling the challenge of AI head on.

In May 2026 Blue Zoo published their "AI Manifesto", exploring the ways in which AI could be used legitimately at Blue Zoo to enhance the production process, but preserving the integrity of human artistry.

We talked to Blue Zoo founder Tom Box last week to find out more about how Blue Zoo is using AI in an ethical, sustainable way.

Wallace & Gromit Exhibition at V&A Until 15 Nov 2026

Here at Escape Studios we're recommending this excellent behind-the-scenes exhibition of Aardman Animation stop-motion animation at the Young V&A (formerly the Museum of Childhood) in Bethnal Green. 

For our animation students, this exhibition is a superb opportunity to explore how Aardman Animation’s characters and worlds are brought to life.

Shelley Page Explains How to Break Into Animation

Shelley Page Key Talent Liaison at Locksmith Animation 

Shelley Page, Key Talent and Artist Liaison at Locksmith Animation in London, joined us online on Friday to talk to our third year 2D Animation students about opportunities in today's animation industry.

What is Shelley Page's key advice for students just starting out? "Be flexible" and - if you find a junior position - "take it!".

Escape Studios "Ultimate Showreel" 2026

Escape Studios is proud to present our "Ultimate Showreel" - a selection of the best work done at Escape Studios in recent years.  This latest reel includes work by our animation, games, vfx, concept art and character creation students. Congratulations to them all on their excellent work.

Escapee Roberto Valent Compositor at ILM

Many congratulations to Escapee Roberto Valent, who has joined VFX giants Industrial Light & Magic as a compositor.

Roberto Valent studied the Art of Visual Effects at Escape Studios, specialising in 2D digital compositing. 

“Looking back, studying was a very exciting part of my life, a time when we could challenge ourselves, push our skills further and work towards reaching our potential.”

Roberto Valent  has worked as a Compositor on a number of film projects including Spider-Man: Brand New Day and The Last House.

The Escape Studios Animation Blog offers a personal view on the art of animation and visual effects.
To apply for one of our courses, follow this link.

New Books for The Library - Timing for Animation

We've got lots of new animation books for our students in the Animation Library on the 11th Floor at Escape Studios' North Greenwich Campus, including four copies of "Timing for Animation" by Harold Whitaker and John Halas - one of the classic texts on animation. 

"Timing for Animation" was first published in 1981 but was recently updated and edited by former Animation Guild President Tom Sito.  

Like The Animator's Survival Kit, "Timing for Animation" is a zero-to-hero workbook for aspiring animators; work through the exercises, practice your skills - you will learn the art and craft of animation.  

Peter Western Talks Storyboards 30 Oct 2026 11.30am

Pete Western visits Escape Studios

We're delighted to welcome BAFTA winning storyboard artist Pete Western to Escape Studios on Friday 30 October at 11.30am for a talk with our 3rd Year 2D animation students about Animation Jobs and Careers, part of Professional Practice Module PS6003. 

Pete Western has decades of experience doing storyboards for film and television. His credits include Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Fungus the Bogeyman, Horrid Henry, The Snowman & the Snowdog, Space Jam and Judge Dredd.

Pete's advice on storyboards will be invaluable for our students currently working on their own short films and animation specialisms. 

Shelley Page Visits Escape Studios Fri 23 Oct 2026

Shelley Page Key Talent Liaison at Locksmith Animation 

Escape Studios is delighted to welcome back Locksmith Animation's Shelley Page on Friday 23 October at 9.30am to give our third year 2D Animation students industry feedback on their work, and talk about opportunities in the animation industry.

Shelley Page's film credits include "Who Framed Roger Rabbit?", "Shrek 1-4", "Shark Tale", "Madagascar", "Kung Fu Panda", and "How to Train Your Dragon".  Shelley Page is currently Key Talent and Artist Liaison at Locksmith Animation in London.