Escape Visits Film London at Westminster College

Escape Studios was invited by Film London yesterday to talk to students and young professionals at Westminster Kingsway College about the animation production pipeline.  But it soon became clear that what the audience really wanted was specific guidance on how to break into the creative industries.  "How..." one audience member asked (more than once)..."can I get a job?"  

This is a very common question - and not always an easy one to answer.  The industry has big skills shortages - for example, 2D compositing is currently hugely in demand, and we have almost 100% employment among our compositing Escapees. But is compositing the right career path for that particular person? 

  

How to Be Job Ready

The students and graduates I spoke to were confused not just about the kinds of jobs available in the industry, but how to get them.  One student had graduated with an animation degree from a London university but, after 18 months of searching for a job, she was still looking.  

600 Graduates per year

UK universities produce over 600 students annually with degrees in animation, yet the animation industry still complains that most UK graduates aren’t ready for work - the gap between academia and industry is too great.  And this is the "gap" that we continually seek to close here at Escape Studios. 

Finding Work in the Animation Industry

At Escape Studios we try to ensure that as many of our Escapees as possible find work in their field - employability is at the heart of what we do.   

Polish Your Demo Reel

Successful graduates need to make sure they have a good well-cut demo reel, which is short, easy to find (not password protected) and embedded (and easy to find) online. 

Be at Linkedin

Today, students should have a well-curated Linkedin profile.  Animation recruiters tell us that they "live on Linkedin". Your profile should be attractive and well-organised, with your demo embedded.  Increasingly, Linkedin is your "shop window" to the industry, so it's important to make it appealing.  

Apply Online, and Network

Applying for jobs online can bring success - but students also need to network, by attending industry events (often by volunteering), posting their work at Linkedin, and building a network of industry professionals who can help them on the crucial first run of the ladder.  

For more on how to find work in the industry, see the resources below.

Jobs, Careers, Interview and Demo Reel Resources at Escape Studios
To see more resources on animation jobs and careers generally, see the the links below:

• Animation Recruiters (and how to handle them) - with Kevin Richards
• How to do well at your first job interviewAnimation - with Kevin Richards 
• Demo Reel Tips from Kevin Richards
• 
  How to create a great animation demo reel
• Escape Studios Showreel Guide
• Nine Ways to Blow a Job Interview
• The Number One Reason Why Animation Graduates Don't Get Hired
• Why Animators Need to Be on Linkedin
• Should Graduates Accept a Job as a Runner?
• Finding Work at Animationjobs.com 
• Finding Work in The Animation Industry Post-Covid

Thanks to Film London

Many thanks to Film London's Julian Scott and Daedyn Appleton for organising the event. 

The Escape Studios Animation Blog offers a personal view on the art of animation and visual effects. To find out more about our new BA/MArt, now recruiting for September 2023, follow this link.   To apply, visit the official page here.