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.  

Escape Students Meet Anim Legend Uli Meyer 13 Nov

Uli Meyer to Visit Escape Studios

Animation legend Uli Meyer will join us at Escape Studios on Friday 13th November for a talk with our 3rd Year 2D animation students about Animation Jobs and Careers, part of Professional Practice Module PS6003. 

Uli Meyer began his career at Richard Williams Animation, later working on  Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Space Jam, Aladdin, and countless TV commercials. 

"Sweet & Salty" Wins Hon Mention at Art Awards

Many congratulations to the makers of Sweet & Salty which has won an Honourable Mention in the category of Best Student Film at the Art Film Awards.

Sweet & Salty was created by our second year animation students; the film was directed by Oleksandra Zakorodon and produced by Sarina Musab.

This is its second festival award. 

"Bollywoof" Trailer Released Today

The trailer for "Bollywoof", the film I worked on at DNEG last year, has just been released. Bollywoof tells the story of an English springer spaniel who gets lost in the streets of Kolkata, and has to find his way back to his family.  Bollywoof was directed by veteran director Frederic Du Chau ("Underdog", "Racing Stripes") and was produced by Newscope Films and DNEG. Preproduction and post were done in London; animation was completed in Hyderabad. Voice talent was provided by Olivia Coleman, David Jonsson, Rhys Ifans and Ambika Mod. 

PR6001 Studio Project Module 2026-27

Award-winning "Shapla"

Our third year animation students (both 2D and 3D are now tackling PR6001; a Studio Project module worth 60 Credits and which runs for the whole academic year.  

In PR6001 our animation students work together in teams to create short films - winning festival awards.  To see some examples of award-winning project work, take a look at Shapla, Symphony of The Morning Rush, Kiwi's Dream, BoxBots, Little Gestures,  Home Sweet Home and Jerich0. 

"Armed" Wins "Best Animation" at the EEFF

"Armed" wins "Best Animation" at the EEFF

Congratulations to the makers of "Armed", which has won the award for "Best Animation" at the Eastern European Film Festival. 

"Armed" is one of the latest 2D animated films created by our 2026 graduating class of animation students.

Armed was written, directed and produced by Fred Mackenzie-Williams. The Art Director was Heidi Thompson.   You can find Armed at Vimeo here.  This is its second festival award. 

How to Get Hired in Animation with Anna Lord

Animation Producer Anna Lord 

Veteran animation producer Anna Lord joined us on Friday 16 October for a talk with our 3rd Year 2D animation students about Animation Jobs and Careers, part of Professional Practice Module PS6003. 

Anna Lord has thirty years of experience working in the animation industry; her film credits include Quest For Camelot (1998) and Spirit: Stallion of The Cimarron (2002).  What was Anna 's advice to animators starting out in the business? Do whatever it takes to get your foot in the door.