Escape Studios Animation Blog: June 2022

Thursday, 30 June 2022

Character & Creature Taster Day 5 July 2022

We're hosting a free Taster Day in Character & Creature Creation on 5th July 2022. The event takes place at 5pm and is run by Escape Studios tutor and animation veteran Michael Davies, who will introduce students to to facial anatomy - and how this can used to help create a character from a 2D concept.

Character & Creature Creation is one of our most technically advanced courses; it involves the creation of characters and creatures from start to finish - from rough concept art all the way through to the final animation, lighting and rendering of characters and creatures.

Love, Mum wins Best Soundtrack at Halicarnassus

Congratulations to the makers of "Love, Mum", the short film created by our second-year students at Escape Studios, which has won "Best Soundtrack" at the Halicarnassus Film Awards.

"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. Music was composed by Francesco La Porta.

Free "Introduction to Virtual Production" at Escape

Introduction to Virtual Production at Escape Studios

We're delighted by the success of our free “Introduction to Virtual Production” course for tv directors and producers.

Recently, ILM’s Virtual Production Supervisor Adam Grint gave our students an insight into Industrial Light & Magic's world renowned "Stagecraft" approach to Virtual Production.

On Tuesday 5th July 2022 at 6.30pm we're hosting a Free 3D VFX Taster. Taster days are a chance to find out more about the courses at Escape Studios, how they run and who teaches them.

Come along on Tuesday and learn the basics of 3D Modeling, how to create simple geometry, and make it look real.

Our tutor will provide an introduction to 3D VFX techniques such as creating simple geometry, UV’s, texturing, bump maps, lighting, animation, basic compositing and rendering, as well as an introduction to the CG pipeline.

Introduction to the Light: Rookies' Excellence Award

Introduction to the Light: Excellence Award at The Rookies

Congratulations to Mattia Binda, director of "Introduction to the Light", who has won an Excellence Award at The Rookies.

Written and directed by Escapee Mattia Binda, with cinematography by Samuele Bogni, "Introduction to the Light" is a visual poem and experimental animation. "Introduction to the Light" has won a number of festival awards.

Join us on Monday 4th July at 5pm at Escape Studios for a free taster in Storyboarding and Previsualisation. Come and see what it is like learning the art and craft of visual storytelling at Escape Studios.

This free online taster offers a hands-on introduction to professional storyboarding techniques, techniques which are currently in demand as the animation industry continues to expand.

In this online taster, taught by Escape Studios' tutor Iliana Franklin, you will learn to create a simple storyboard, and edit the images into a digital animatic with music and sound design.

Free Houdini Taster Day 27 June at 5pm

We're hosting a free Houdini taster day today, Monday 27th June, at 5pm.

There's still time to sign up and find out more about one of the fastest-growing areas of software expertise in the world of VFX.

SideFX Houdini is an increasingly useful digital tool that allows users to create FX work such as smoke, fire and water with much less difficulty than with traditional software packages.

Come along tonight at 5pm to find out more.

Introducing "Liminal"

Introducing "Liminal", a new short film created at Escape Studios. "Liminal" was written and directed by Zoe Walker, and produced by Alex Sellen. Liminal was created as part of a group project by second-year animation students, working together as a team, simulating as closely as possible a live studio environment.

Threaded Together wins Best Director at Halicarnassus

Congratulations to the makers of "Threaded Together", which has won an award for Best Director at the Halicarnassus Film Festival.

Threaded Together was directed by Shauna Ludgate and produced by Manos Zervoudakis,

Threaded Together tells the story of a needle who longs to be reunited with his friends.

The original score was composed by Maria Cortes-Monroy.

Free 2D Compositing Taster Wednesday 29 June 2022

We're hosting a free taster in 2D Compositing this coming Wednesday 29 June 2022. Come along and find out what's involved in our compositing courses at Escape Studios.

Compositing is the process of combining visual elements from separate sources into a single image, to create the illusion that all the elements form part of a seamless whole.

Any film that combines live action with visual effects needs digital compositors, and as a result skilled compositors are almost always in high demand.

"Introduction to the Light" Wins Best VFX at AFA

Introduction to The Light Wins Best VFX at AFA

Congratulations to the makers of "Introduction to the Light", which has won Best VFX at the Art Film Awards

Written and directed by Escapee Mattia Binda, with cinematography by Samuele Bogni, "Introduction to the Light" is a visual poem and experimental animation.

Mattia Binda took our MA in VFX Production at Escape Studios, learning the art and craft of visual effects film-making. This is the third festival award for "Introduction to the Light".

"Freefall" Wins "Best 1st Time Director" Award

Freefall wins Best 1st Time Director at Halicarnassus

Congratulations to the makers of "Freefall", which has won "Best First-Time Director" at the Halicarnassus Film Festival.

"Freefall" was written and directed by Jessa Timog-Santiago, co-directed by Rohnak Sharma, and produced by Sebastian Petre. Alex Maynard was Lead Animator and CG Supervisor.

Freefall was created as part of a group project by second-year animation students, working together as a team. This is its first festival award.

"Wanderer" Wins "Hon Mention" at AFA

Wanderer Best 1st Time Director (Hon Mention) at AFA

Congratulations to the makers of "The Wanderer", which has won an Honourable Mention for "Best First-Time Director" at the Art Film Awards.

"The Wanderer" tells the story of a traveller who encounters a mysterious spirit that guards an ancient temple.

The Wanderer was directed by Chiyoko Coyte and produced by Wiktoria Swierk. This is its fourth festival award.

Motion Graphics Taster on 30 June 2022

Motion Graphics Taster 30 June 2022

We're hosting a free Online Motion Graphics Taster on 30 June 2022. Come along and find out what's involved in our motion graphics courses at Escape Studios.

Our next Motion Graphics 12 Week Course starts on 26 September 2022. The course is taught by experienced industry professionals, and aims to prepare students for careers in the motion graphic and motion design industries.

The market for skilled motion designers has never been bigger, and London is host to the world’s largest motion design community. To find out more, visit the official course page here.

Love, Mum wins "Best Score" (Hon. Mention) in Tokyo

Congratulations to the makers of "Love, Mum", the short film created by our second-year students at Escape Studios, which has won "Best Original Score" (Hon Mention) at the Tokyo International Film Awards.

"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. Music was composed by Francesco La Porta.

Meet Your Tutors - Mark Spevick

Mark Spevick

Mark Spevick is one of our most experienced VFX tutors at Escape Studios.

Mark is our Head of Industry Training at Escape Studios, and combines teaching with working in industry, most recently at Framestore, one of the UK's leading VFX houses.

Mark Spevick has many years of experience working both in industry and in higher education and teaching. Mark Spevick started his career at Peerless Camera, the production house co-owned by Terry Gilliam, working on ‘Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas’ and ‘The Imaginarium of Dr Parnassus’.

Shimmer wins Best Animation at ANMTN Awards

Congratulations to the makers of "Shimmer", the short VFX film created by students at Escape Studios, which has won Best Animated Film at the ANMTN! Awards in Ukraine.

"Shimmer" was directed by Will Moss and produced by Aidan Callaghan, and tells the story of two glass figurines which come to life. Shimmer has won many festival awards.

"Bluey" Wins "Most Outstanding" Award at Logies

Escapee Rich Jeffrey at the 2022 Logies

We're proud to congratulate Escapee Rich Jeffrey whose Australian TV series "Bluey" has won "Most Outstanding Children’s Program" at The 2022 Logies, the annual Australian TV Awards.

This is the latest award for "Bluey", which also won "Best Pre-School Animation" at KidScreen, and an Emmy at the 8th International Emmy Kids Awards.

Rich was animation director on series 1, and series director on the second series of "Bluey".

Rich took our 12 week course in 3D animation, and has since gone on to become a highly successful TV series director.

Escape Studios congratulates the makers of "The Golden Acorn", which has won an award for Best Trailer at the V.I.Z Film Fest.

"The Golden Acorn" is a movie trailer completed by 2nd year undergraduate Escape Studios Animation students, written & directed by Maciej Osuch, edited & produced by Miguel Teixeira.

In The Golden Acorn a detective duo team up in NutTown to defeat an evil squirrel crime boss - two agents, one nutcase.

The Golden Acorn has won many festival awards.

3D Animation Evening Class Returns on 7 March 2023

Our 20 week part-time evening class in 3D Animation returns on 7 March 2023.

This online class runs for 20 weeks on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, from 7-10pm, and is taught by veteran animator Matteo Sanna.

"Our Ocean" Wins Outstanding Achievement Award

Our Ocean wins award at CICFF

Congratulations to the makers of "Our Ocean", which has won an "Outstanding Achievement Award" at the Calcutta International Cult Film Festival.

Written and Directed by Priya Shah, and produced by Ethen Dent, "Our Ocean" tells the story of two young sea turtles attending the 500th anniversary "Fish City Festival", where the activities of careless humans threaten to destroy their ocean habitat. This is the film's first festival award.

Our Ocean was created by our fourth year animation and vfx students, studying the Art of Computer Animation and VFX.

Written and Directed by Priya Shah, and produced by Ethen Dent, Our Ocean was a collaboration with the charity "Ocean Generation".

Meet the VFX Team at Escape Studios

VFX Team at Escape Studios

Meet the VFX Team at Escape Studios! VFX is the jewel in the crown at Escape Studios, it's at the very root of what we do, where we began 20 years ago when the VFX Industry was just starting to boom.

Back in the early 2000s there were few places in the UK where students could learn the necessary skills to land that crucial first job in the industry.

Today, Escape Studios is ranked No 1 in the UK by The Rookies for VFX Production.

Below, in no particular order, are our talented tutors who teach the art and craft of VFX at Escape Studios, helping to ensure we remain the UK's leading centre for the study of VFX.

Free Tutorial - Animation Layers with Lee Caller

Check out our latest free animation tutorial - "Animation Layers" with Escape Studios tutor Lee Caller. Animation Layers are a useful tool in Maya which allows the animator to add layered animation to a character in a non-destructive way, much like the use of layers in Photoshop. In this tutorial Lee shows how to use layers in animation to add a character performance.

Toonboom Harmony is Back 22nd November 2022

Our 2D Animation part-time online evening class in Toonboom Harmony returns to Escape Studios on Tuesday 22nd Nov 2022.

Learn the fundamentals of 2D animation over 10 weeks, one evening a week using Toonboom Harmony, one of the leading software packages for the creation of 2D animation.

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 the software.

Introduction to the Light Best VFX at the Onyko Awards

Congratulations to the makers of "Introduction to the Light", which has won Best VFX at the Onyko Film Festival.

Written and directed by Escapee Mattia Binda, with cinematography by Samuele Bogni, "Introduction to the Light" is a visual poem and experimental animation.

Mattia Binda took our MA in VFX Production at Escape Studios, learning the art and craft of visual effects film-making. This is the third festival award for "Introduction to the Light".

"Hannibelle" Best Trailer at Golden Eagle Fest

Hannibelle wins Best Trailer at Golden Eagle Fest

Congratulations to the makers of Hannibelle, the short animated teaser/trailer created by our second year animation students at Escape Studios, which has won "Best Trailer" at the Golden Eagle Film Festival.

Written and Directed by Alex Maynard and produced by Ben Swallow, "Hannibelle" tells the story of a fairytale princess - who is not everything she appears. This is the latest of many festival awards for "Hannibelle".

Storyboard by Anastasia Gurova

Our evening class in Storyboarding returns on Wednesday 10th November 2022.

This evening class in storyboarding is an online class, taught from 7-10pm, and runs for ten weeks.

Storyboarding is a growing area of the animation industry; one which has recorded significant skills shortages in recent years.

Our storyboard students have gone on to successful careers at studios such as Walt Disney, Brown Bag Films and Blue Zoo Animation.

Free Houdini Tutorials from Mark Spevick

Free Houdini tutorials from Mark Spevick

Mark Spevick, our Head of Industry Training (and in-house Houdini expert) has created a series of free tutorials in Houdini, hosted at the official SideFX website.

Mark's Houdini tutorials include beginner tutorials such as the destruction of a brick wall, and how to create fire and smoke, progressing to more advanced subjects such as how to create a crashing wave effect.

Concept Art: Student artwork

Concept Art is coming back to Escape Studios. Our online evening class in Concept Art returns on Wednesday 12 October 2022.

Concept Art is a part-time evening class, taught one night a week, running for ten weeks. Concept Art runs for 10 weeks, from 7 until 10pm. Classes take place one night per week.

Concept Art introduces students to the techniques and skills that go up to make a well-rounded concept artist, including 3D & 2D software.

Escapee "Stands in for Queen" with Paddington

Heidi Prescot

We're delighted to congratulate Escapee Heidi Prescot who "stood in for the Queen" while Framestore shot live action reference for the animated "Paddington Bear" skit that formed part of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations last weekend.

Heidi completed her Master's Degree in the Art of Visual Effects at Escape Studios, graduating with a Distinction.

Heidi is working as a runner at Framestore, a traditional entry-level position in the animation industry, which often leads to more established industry roles such as a junior VFX artist.

Wanderer Wins "Best Production" at HEI Fest

Congratulations to the makers of "The Wanderer", which has won "Best Production" at Heart of Europe International Film Fest (HEI).

"The Wanderer" tells the story of a traveller who encounters a mysterious spirit that guards an ancient temple.

The Wanderer was directed by Chiyoko Coyte and produced by Wiktoria Swierk. Amy Husted and Ellen Hughes also contributed to the production design of the project.

"Love, Mum" Best Score at Hollywood Gold Awards

Love, Mum Best Score at Hollywood Gold Awards

Congratulations to the makers of "Love, Mum", the short film created by our second-year students at Escape Studios, which has won "Best Original Score" at the Hollywood Gold Awards.

"Russell" Wins Best VFX in Athens Fest

Russell Best VFX in Athens

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

Russell was created as part of the VFX Project at Escape Studios; it has won many festival awards.

Introducing "Post Mortem"

Meet "Post Mortem", the latest VFX short film produced at Escape Studios. Post Mortem was directed by Toby Haslam and Ridma Suriyagoda, and produced by Aidan Callaghan. Post Mortem takes place in a futuristic secure facility, where a surgeon performs an autopsy on a mysterious patient.

Our Ocean wins Critic's Choice Award in Singapore

Congratulations to the makers of "Our Ocean", which has won a Critic's Choice Award for Best Student Film at the World Film Carnival in Singapore.

"Picture Us" Wins Best VFX (Hon Mention) in Tokyo

Picture Us wins Best VFX (Hon Mention) in Tokyo

Congratulations to the makers of "Picture Us", which has won Best VFX (Hon. Mention) at the Tokyo International Film Festival.

“Picture Us” is an animated short set inside an art gallery, in which two old master paintings fall in love. Picture Us was written and directed by Tom Perry and produced by Charlotte Ann Gimbird. This is its first film festival award.

"Love, Mum" Wins Best Director (Short Film) at AFA

Love, Mum wins Best Director at AFA

Congratulations to the makers of "Love, Mum", the short film created by our second-year students at Escape Studios, which has won an award for "Best Director (Short Film)" at the Art Film Awards.

Open Day Saturday 25 June 2022

Escape Studios is hosting a new undergraduate open day from 10.30am until 2pm on Saturday 25 June 2022.

Escape Studios' Open Days are a chance to find out about our undergraduate degrees in Animation, The Art of Games and Visual Effects. An Open Day is an opportunity for potential students to find out how they can follow in the footsteps of our award-winning alumni.

Meet Your Tutors - Sokratis Synitos

Sokratis Synitos

Sokratis Synitos has many years of experience in compositing for both film and TV, and teaches the Art of Compositing to our Short Course and MA students. Sokratis has worked on many film and TV projects at studios such as DNEG, Cinesite and Warner Bros.

Sokratis has degrees in computer engineering and also in film studies. He is also a graduate of the 12 weeks compositing VFX program of Escape Studios.

Sokratis's film credits include Spectre, Avengers: Endgame and Kingsman as well as episodes of Black Mirror, Altered Carbon and Dr. Who. You can find Sokratis here at the IMDB.

Written and Directed by Alex Maynard and produced by Ben Swallow, "Hannibelle" tells the story of a fairytale princess - who is not everything she appears.

This is the latest of many festival awards for "Hannibelle".

Introducing "Freefall"

Introducing "Freefall", the latest short film created at Escape Studios. "Freefall" was written and directed by Jessa Timog-Santiago, and produced by Sebastian Petre. Alex Maynard was Lead Animator and CG Supervisor. Freefall was created as part of a group project by second-year animation students, working together as a team.

Escape Studios Ranked No 3 in the UK in 2022

The 2022 Animation School Rankings are in, and we're delighted to have moved up the European rankings again this year.

This year Animation Career Review have ranked us #15 for Animation Internationally, #8 for Animation in Europe (moving up from #9 last year), and #3 for Animation in the UK. Congratulations to all our students and tutors on their hard work.

"Shimmer" Wins "Best VFX" at EEFF

Shimmer wins Best VFX at EEFF

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

"Shimmer" was directed by Will Moss and produced by Aidan Callaghan, and tells the story of two glass figurines which come to life. Shimmer has won many festival awards.

Harrison Bell Animator at Passion Pictures

Harrison Bell

Many congratulations to Escapee Harrison Bell who has started work as an animator at Passion Pictures, one of London's leading boutique animation companies.

Harrison will graduate this summer with a degree in The Art of Computer Animation. While at Escape Studios, Harrison contributed to many successful short films, including Amarok, Shimmer and Picture Us.

Harrison also directed the award-winning short film "A Long Way Home".

Natalya Ropotova Clean-Up Animator at Seed

Natalya Ropotova

Congratulations to Escapee Natalya Ropotova who is working as a clean-up animator at Seed Animation.

Seed Animation is a London animation studio based in Soho, specialising in a wide variety of animation techniques. Seed's clients include Virgin, Sky, The BBC and Universal Pictures.

Natalya Ropotova took our evening class in character design at Escape Studios. You can see some of Natalya's work here.

Hannibelle Best Trailer (Hon Mention) at FOFA

Hannibelle wins Best Trailer (Hon Mention) at FOFA

Congratulations to the makers of Hannibelle the short animated teaser/trailer created by our second year animation students at Escape Studios, which has won an Honourable Mention for "Best Trailer" at the Future of Film Awards.

Written and Directed by Alex Maynard and produced by Ben Swallow, "Hannibelle" tells the story of a fairytale princess - who is not everything she appears. This is the fourth festival award for "Hannibelle".

"Introduction to The Light" Wins "Best VFX"

"Introduction to the Light" Wins Best VFX

Congratulations to the makers of "Introduction to the Light" a new experimental animated short film created at Escape Studios, which has won Best VFX at the London International Film Festival.

Written and directed by Escapee Mattia Binda, with cinematography by Samuele Bogni, "Introduction to the Light" is a visual poem in animation.

Mattia Binda took our MA in VFX Production at Escape Studios, learning the art and craft of visual effects film-making.

This is the first festival award for "Introduction to the Light".

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