Candle Wick Wins 4 Stars Award at BIAFF

"Candle Wick" wins 4 Stars Award at BIAFF

Many congratulations to the directors of "Candle Wick", a short animated film created by our second-year animation students at Escape Studios, which has won a "Four Stars Award" at the British International Amateur Film Festival 2022 (BIAFF).

"Candle Wick" is a short story about a candle living inside the walls of an old house, who must venture outside to save his home.

"Candle Wick" was directed by Oliver Gallagher, co-directed by Shauna Ludgate, and produced by Emmanouil "Manos" Zervoudakis.  Art direction was by Tsvetelina Kumanova. 

"BoxBots" Best Animation at Halicarnassus

BoxBots Best Animated Short at Halicarnassus Fest

Many congratulations to the makers of "BoxBots", which has won Best Animation at the Halicarnassus Film Festival. 

Directed by Jordan Coles and Ross Green, and produced by Priya Shah, "BoxBots" is about a contest between two toys who compete for the "World Plasticweight Championship". 

BoxBots has won many festival awards. 

Malloe Wins "Honourable Mention" in Prague

Best Director at Prague Awards (Hon. Mention)

Congratulations to the makers of "Malloe", which has won an Honourable Mention for "Best Director" at the Prague International Film Awards. 

"Malloe" was directed by Eilin Berrio Pena, edited by Ross Green, and produced by Nickoel Izharudin.  Production Design was by Paloma Zhu.  "Malloe" has won many festival awards. 

Animators Need a Smooth Path of Action

Path of Action

Animators always need to keep an eye on the Path of Action in their animation. Paths of Animation, also known as Arcs, are one of the original "12 Principles of Animation" identified by Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnstone in their classic work "The Illusion of Life".

A moving object should follow a smooth flowing arc, with no sudden abrupt changes of direction.

Aidan Lonergan Rigger at MPC

Aidan Lonergan

Many congratulations to animation Escapee Aidan Lonergan for starting a new position as Rigger at MPC.

MPC is one of the UK's longest-established VFX and animation houses; responsible for blockbuster hits such as The Lion King and The Jungle Book.

Aidan studied animation at Escape Studios, broadening his animation skillset to include producing, modelling and rigging.   While at Escape Studios, Aidan contributed to a number of successful film projects, including producing the award-winning film "Joe".

Escape Studios Animal & Creature Reel 2022

 

Welcome to the latest Escape Studios animation demo reel - a new edit dedicated to the animal and creature work done by our students at Escape Studios.  Escape Studios began life as a VFX training centre, so realistic animal and creature work is very much at the heart of what we do.  Congratulations to all our students on their excellent work, and thanks to Escapee Miguel Teixeira for cutting the reel. 

Create Thumbnail Sketches to Plan Animation

How do you create thumbnail sketches for character animation? Learning how to create thumbnail sketches is a very important skill, even for animators who don't draw well, because thumbnail sketches are an important tool for planning animation.  Even 3D animators who aren't that comfortable with drawing are encouraged to have a go at the thumbnailing process.  Watch the video above to see how to create rough thumbnail sketches for this month's "11 Second Club". 

Escapee Kiah Liwag Animator at MPC

Kiah Maano Liwag

Many congratulations to Escapee Kiah Maaño Liwag who has started work as an animator at MPC.

Kiah took our Evening Class in 3D Animation at Escape Studios, taught by veteran animator Michael Morgan.  Kiah is now working for one of the world's leading animation and VFX companies.

MPC is one of the UK's longest-established VFX and animation houses; responsible for blockbuster hits such as The Lion King and The Jungle Book.

"Solitude" Best 1st Time Director Halicarnassus

Solitude wins Best 1st Time Director at Halicarnassus

Escape Studios is proud to congratulate the makers of"Solitude", which has won its second festival award - "Best First-Time Director" at the Halicarnassus Film Festival.   

Directed by Molly McCabe, edited by Liam Mann, and produced by Charlotte Gimbird, "Solitude" is about solitude, isolation - and the power of friendship. 

Step Up to Unreal Engine 23-27 May 2022

Rendered in Unreal Engine at Escape Studios

We're running a new free introduction to Unreal Engine at Escape Studios from Monday 23rd to Friday 27th May 2022. 

The event is made possible by ScreenSkills, and even offers the chance to take a paid work placement with some of the best VFX film and TV studios in the UK.

The event is free, and takes place from Monday 23rd to Friday 27th May 2022. You can find out more here. 

Malloe Wins "4 Stars Award" at the BIAFF

Malloe wins 4 Stars Award at BIAFF

Congratulations to the makers of "Malloe", which has won a "Four Stars Award" at the British International Amateur Film Festival (BIAFF). 

"Malloe" is a short film about two children who find a very unusual creature - one that is very fond of marshmallows. 

"Malloe" was directed by Eilin Berrio Pena, edited by Ross Green, and produced by Nickoel Izharudin.  Production Design was by Paloma Zhu. "Malloe" has won many festival awards. 

Adam & Eve Mk II Hon Mention at Athens Fest

Adam & Eve Mk II Hon Mention in Athens Fest

Many congratulations to Sebastian Kuder, director of "Adam & Eve Mk II", which has won an Honourable Mention in the category of Best Cinematography at the Athens International Film Festival.

Adam & Eve Mk II, is a sci-fi re-telling of the Genesis story, directed by Escapee Sebastian Kuder.   Adam & Eve Mk II has won many festival awards.  

  

Undergraduate Taster Day Saturday 23 April

We are hosting a new undergraduate Taster Day tomorrow Saturday 23 April at 10.30am.  The Taster Day will introduce prospective students to the Art of Animation, VFX and Games. 

Taster Days are a great chance to learn about Escape Studios, and find out what our undergraduate degrees are all about. Come and get some free hands-on experience of what it is like to study with us.

Shimmer Wins Best Animation at Milan Awards

"Shimmer" wins Best Animated Film at Milan Gold Awards

Congratulations to the makers of "Shimmer", a short film created by students at Escape Studios, which has won Best Animated Film at the Milan Gold Awards.

"Shimmer" was directed by Will Moss and produced by Aidan Callaghan, and tells the story of two glass figurines which come to life.  This is Shimmer's fifth festival award. 

Hat Shop Wins Best Sci-Fi at Art Film Awards

Hat Shop wins Best Sci-Fi at AFA

Congratulations to the makers of "Hat Shop", which has won "Best Sci-Fi at the Art Film Awards. 

"Hat Shop" is a short film set in a futuristic robot world.  Hat Shop was written and directed by Stevie Stedman, produced by Jess Hiles, and animation directed by Ross Green.  Cinematography and Production Design was by Jordan Coles.  

Hat Shop has won many festival awards. 

"Amarok" Wins "Best Trailer" at MFOFA

Amarok wins Best Trailer at the Future of Film Awards

Congratulations to the makers of "Amarok", which has won Best Trailer at the Monthly Future of Film Awards.

Amarok was written and directed by Shenaaz Suliman and produced by Josiah Martin-Lofters.  

Amarok tells the story of a First Nations police detective in a remote town in Northern Canada where a curfew is imposed as a killer wolf stalks the community.  Amarok has won many festival awards. 

Yay! My Project Got Picked! What Now?

What comes Next ?

So you've pitched a project at Escape Studios and - hurrah! - your project got selected.  What happens next?

Generally, students who pitch a an idea and have it selected then go on to direct the project.  However, it is important to understand what directing a project means - and what is does not mean.

Group work is all about harmonious collaboration to ensure success - and avoid the pitfalls of failure. 

Natalia Lichańska Animator at MPC

Natalia Lichańska

Many congratulations to Escapee Natalia Lichańska who has started work as an animator at MPC.

Natalia took our Evening Class in 3D Animation at Escape Studios, and also our Evening Class in Character Design.  Natalia is now working for one of the world's leading animation and VFX companies.

MPC is one of the UK's longest-established VFX and animation houses; responsible for blockbuster hits such as The Lion King and The Jungle Book.

Introducing "The Wanderer"

Meet "The Wanderer" - a new short animated film created by our second-year animation students at Escape Studios.  "The Wanderer" tells the story of a traveller who encounters a mysterious spirit that guards an ancient temple.  It was directed by Chiyoko Coyte and produced by Wiktoria Swierk, and is currently being entered into film festivals. 

"Punch" Wins "5 Stars Award" at BIAFF

Punch wins 5 Stars at BIAFF

Congratulations to the makers of "Punch", an animated short film created at Escape Studios, which has won Best Short Animation at the Hollywood Golden Age Festival. 

"Punch" was written and directed by Niccolo Smaldone, and produced by Stevie Stedman.  The original score was composed by Stuart Bramwell.

It has won many festival awards.

"Russell" Wins Best VFX at Europe Fest

"Russell" Wins Best VFX at EEFF

Congratulations to the makers of Russell, the short VFX film created by students at Escape Studios, which has won Best VFX at the Eastern Europe Film Festival. 

Russell was written by Scott Middleton and Liam Martin, directed by Scott Middleton and produced by Gary Roche.  

Russell tells the story of a curious hedgehog who dreams of flight; it has won many festival awards. 

Jerich0 Wins "Best Sound Design" in London

Jerich0 Wins Best Sound Design at London Movie Awards

Many congratulations to the makers of Jerich0, which has won an award for "Best Sound Design" at the London Movie Awards.  

Jerich0 is a short VFX film about a lonely robot who builds a friend.  This is the latest of many awards for the BAFTA-shortlisted Jerich0; directed by Sarah Andrews, and produced by Matt Wight.  Sound Design was by Aaron Hopwood and the original score was composed by Alexandra Harwood.

 

Slushy Wins Best VFX at Art Film Awards

"Slushy" wins Best VFX at the AFA

Congratulations to the creators of "Slushy", which has won Best VFX at the Art Film Awards.

Directed by Callum Wylie and produced by Jess Hiles, "Slushy" is a short animated film about two frozen soft drinks who get separated and have to find a way back to their fridge-freezer home.

Slushy was created as part of a Studio Project in which animation and vfx students join forces to create a short film.  Slushy has won many festival awards.

Introducing "Love, Mum"

‘Love, Mum’ - Animated Short Film from Amelia Watson on Vimeo.

Meet "Love, Mum", a new short film created by our students at Escape Studios. "Love, Mum"  tells the story of a young woman who tries to find the secret ingredient in her beloved mother's favourite recipe.  "Love, Mum" was written, directed and edited by Amelia Watson, and produced by Llewelyn Whitney. 

Side Quest Wins 4 Stars Award at BIAFF

Side Quest wins 4 Stars Award at BIAFF

Congratulations to the makers of "Side Quest", which has won a "Four Stars Award" at the British International Amateur Film Festival (BIAFF).

Side Quest is an adventure story set in a distant fantasy land, in which a brave knight embarks on a quest to free a Princess from a vicious dragon

"Side Quest" was directed by Jess Hiles and produced by Priya Shah. This is its second festival award.

Lipsync - Two Frames Ahead of the Audio

Cliff Nordberg

Why should your lipsync always be at least two frames ahead of the audio? Because there is a very slight time delay between our mouths making a shape, and the sound being expelled from our lips.

For your audience to be able to read the lip sync clearly you'll want to offset the jaw opening at least two frames before the audio is actually heard. 

If you have the jaw opening and closing exactly on the frame that the audio is heard, your lip sync will feel slightly "off sync", ie a little late. 

Vivi Ossa Hon Mention for "Best Micro Short"

Vivi Ossa wins Best Micro Short (Hon Mention) at AFA

Many congratulations to the makers of "Vivi Ossa", which has won an Honourable Mention in the category of Best "Best Micro Short" at the Art Film Awards. 

Directed by Callum Walters and produced by Matthew Wight, Vivi Ossa (Latin for "living bones") is a short film about a museum visitor who brings ancient bones to life through the power of music. Vivi Ossa has won many festival awards.

Introducing "Hannibelle"

Meet "Hannibelle" - a new short animated film created by our second year animation students at Escape Studios. Directed by Alex Maynard and produced by Ben Swallow,  "Hannibelle" tells the story of a fairytale princess who is not everything she appears. "Hannibelle" is currently being entered into film festivals.

"Russell" Wins Best VFX at Onyko Fest

"Russell" wins Best VFX at Onyko Film Festival

Congratulations to the makers of Russell which has won Best VFX (short films) at the Onyko International Film Festival. 

Russell was written by Scott Middleton and Liam Martin, directed by Scott Middleton and produced by Gary Roche.  

Russell tells the story of a curious hedgehog who dreams of flight. It has won many festival awards. 

Escape Studios Students Visit Framestore

Escape Studios visits Framestore

A big thank you to animation and vfx powerhouse Framestore who recently hosted a studio visit for our students at Escape Studios. 

Being able to visit studios and get a feel for life as an animator or vfx artist is an important opportunity - one which has been almost impossible for much of the past two years.

Framestore is one of the UK's leading animation and visual effects houses, responsible for multiple hits, including Paddington.

Sweet Heart Hon Mention for Best VFX at LIMFF

"Sweet Heart" Best VFX (Hon. Mention) at the LIMFF

Congratulations to the makers of "Sweet Heart", which has won an Honourable Mention for Best VFX at the London International Film Festival. 

Sweet Heart is a short VFX film created by students at Escape Studios; it was directed by Liam Mann, co-directed by Shenaaz Suliman, and produced by Emmanouil "Manos" Zervoudakis.  "Sweet Heart" tells the story of two cake figurines who fall in love.  It has won many festival awards.

Tendai Mande SweatBox TD at DNEG

Many congratulations to Escapee Tendai Mande, who has recently started a new position as a SweatBox TD at DNEG.

While at Escape Studios, Tendai contributed to the short animated film "Street Ratz", which has won multiple festival awards.  Tendai worked on the film as Editor, Second Director, and Lead Pipeline Supervisor. 

DNEG is one of the world's leading animation and VFX houses, pioneers in VFX and also software development.  

"Jelly Cars" Hon Mention Best Cinematography

Jelly Cars Hon. Mention for Best Cinematography at TIMFF

Escape Studios is proud to congratulate animation tutor Lee Caller whose short film Jelly Cars has won an Honourable Mention for "Best Cinematography" at the Halicarnassus Film Festival. 

This is the latest award for Jelly Cars, a short comedy about a cartoon car trying to find a parking space.  Jelly Cars has won many festival awards.

Aaron Hopwood Animator at Chinese Room

Aaron Hopwood

Many congratulations to Escapee Aaron Hopwood, who has started work as a Games Animator at Chinese Room, a games animation studio based in Brighton, Sussex.

Aaron graduated from Escape Studios with a first-class degree in the Art of 3D animation, and later became a Studio Assistant at Escape Studios, helping to train and guide the next  generation of animators.

at Escape Studios, Aaron was the animation lead on Jericho, and co-directed the short film Minuet. Both films have won multiple festival awards.

Stevie Stedman Studio Assistant at Escape

Stevie Stedman

Many congratulations to Escapee Stevie Stedman who is currently working as a Studio Assistant at Escape Studios.

Stevie took our MA in Storyboarding & Previsualisation, graduating with a Distinction. While at Escape Studios, Stevie has written, directed and produced a number of award-winning films, such as "Hat Shop", which Stevie wrote and directed, and which has won many festival awards.

Studio Assistants at Escape Studios help to give our students classroom feedback and solve technical problems; we couldn't manage without them.

"Seeker" Wins Best Trailer at Onyko Fest

"Seeker" wins Best Trailer at the Onyko Film Festival

Congratulations to the makers of "Seeker"  which has won Best Trailer at the Onyko Film Festival.

 "Seeker" is a short sci-fi film directed by Rassoul Edji and produced by Tosin Ogunleye.   Seeker is about a giant robot running amok in suburban England. It has won many festival awards. 

Burger Royale Best Editing at Halicarnassus

Burger Royale wins Best Editing at Halicarnassus

Congratulations to the makers of "Burger Royale" which has won "Best Editing" in the Short Film category at the Halicarnassus Film Festival.  

Burger Royale is a short animated teaser/trailer written, directed and produced by Escape Studios' animation student Gary Roche.  

Burger Royale tells the story of a hungry customer who walks into a burger joint only to find that he is on the menu. It has won over a dozen festival awards.

Introducing "Spitfire"

 

Introducing "Spitfire", a new short animated film created at Escape Studios. "Spitfire" tells the story of the inspiration behind the legendary WW2 aircraft, and its creator R J Mitchell.  "Spitfire" was directed by Christopher Mardsen-Carleton, produced by Conall Ferguson and edited by Jessa Timog-Santiago.  It is currently being entered in film festivals. 

Mafia Mix-Up Wins "Five Stars Award" at BIAFF

BIAFF wins 5 Stars Award

Congratulations to the makers of "Mafia Mix-Up", which has won a "Five Star Award" at The British International Animation Film Festival (BIAFF).

Mafia Mix-Up was written and directed by Jake Lee, and produced by Emmanouil "Manos" Zervoudakis. 

This is the fourth festival award for Mafia Mix-Up.

"Russell" Wins Best Student Film at DSFF

"Russell" wins Best Student Film at the DSFF

Congratulations to the makers of Russell, the short VFX film created by students at Escape Studios, which has won Best Student Film at the Dreamer's Short Film Festival. 

Russell was written by Scott Middleton and Liam Martin, directed by Scott Middleton and produced by Gary Roche.  

Russell was created as part of PR6001, a Studio Module in which animation and VFX students join forces to create a VFX project over 12 weeks.  

Russell tells the story of a curious hedgehog who dreams of flight. This is its fourth festival award. 

71 Escapees on Oscar-Nominated Films

Escapees at The 2022 Academy Awards

No less than 71 of our Escapees worked on this year's Oscar-nominated films. 

Take a look at the infographic on the left to see which films our Escapees worked on.

For example, 36 Escapees worked on the latest intallment of the Bond series - No Time To Die

Rookies 2022 - Deadline 1st June

2022 Rookies Now Open

At Escape Studios we encourage all of our students to enter The Rookies Awards, the international competition for young creatives. The deadline to enter this year is 1st June 2022.

The Rookies was founded in 2009 to "showcase the most talented student designers, illustrators, film makers, animators, developers, digital artists, and launch them into the career of their dreams."

This year the deadline is 1st June 2022, so there is plenty of time to polish your work and enter the competition.

"Vivi Ossa" Best Micro Short at Dreamachine

Vivi Ossa Best Micro Short at Dreamachine Fest

Many congratulations to the makers of "Vivi Ossa", which has won "Best Micro Short" at the Dreamachine Film Festival.

Directed by Callum Walters and produced by Matthew Wight, Vivi Ossa (Latin for "living bones") is a short film about a museum visitor who brings ancient bones to life through the power of music. Vivi Ossa has already won many festival awards.