"Labyrinth Reloaded" Wins "Best Anim" at Rohip Fest

Congratulations to the makers of Labyrinth Reloaded, the animated short created by our graduating class of animation students at Escape Studios, which has won "Best Animated Short" at the Rohip International Film Festival.  

Directed by Sholto "CJ" Rock and produced by Wiktoria Swierk, Labyrinth Reloaded was animated with Toonboom Harmony, and edited in Adobe Premiere Pro.

This is its second festival award. 

Animate Monty Singing "Oh Yeah"

In the short animation tutorial below we show how to animate a character with no mouth saying a line of dialogue, part of our series of tutorials on character animation and performance.   But how can you animate dialogue and lipsync - with no lips?  The answer is - it's all in the acting and the performance. If the character's body language is working, then the audience will believe that the character is speaking - even if the character itself has no mouth.  In this tutorial we animate "Monty" saying (well, singing) a line of dialogue - "Ohhh Yeahhh". 

Amanda Costa "Prehistoric Planet" Reel

AMANDA COSTA - Animation Reel 2023 from Amanda Costa on Vimeo.

We're delighted to congratulate Escapee Amanda Costa on her latest demo reel, showcasing some of her best work on "Prehistoric Planet" Seasons 1 and 2, created at MPC in London.  Amanda took our short course in Computer Animation at Escape Studios, taught by veteran animator Lee Caller.  After graduation, Amanda became a Studio Assistant at Escape Studios, and then joined Jellyfish Pictures and MPC.  

MA Animation Returns on 19 February 2024

Animation by Ben Swallow and Alex Maynard

Our Short Course and MA (Master of Arts) in 3D Animation is back, with a new class starting on 19 February 2024.

The Short Course and MA in animation will be taught both online and in-class at our new North Greenwich Campus.

Our Short Course and MA animation students have created many award-winning film projects such as "Alma", "Flame", "Hat Shop", "Mafia Mix-Up" and "Moon Rockz".  Many have also gone on to enjoy successful careers in industry. 

"Good Soup" Wins "Best Anim" at Makihzmithran Fest

"Good Soup" wins "Best Animated Short" at Makizh Fest

Congratulations to the makers of "Good Soup", the latest animated short created by our graduating class of animation students at Escape Studios, which has won "Best Animated Short" at the Makihzmithran International Film Festival.

Directed by Jessa Timog-Santiago and produced by Iulineia Filip,  Good Soup was made using Maya, Substance Painter, and Unreal Engine.   

This is Good Soup's second festival award. 

Lee Caller to Teach Integrated MArt

Lee Caller to lead Integrated MArt

We're delighted to announce that animation tutor Lee Caller will be teaching the Integrated MArt at Escape Studios from September 2023.  

Lee is an award-wnning animator who has been teaching our short course and animation students for many years.  He also has a Master's Degree in Animation from Buckinghamshire New University.

In their fourth year of study, our integrated masters' students collaborate to create their own ideas and projects, working together in teams to create original content.

Daria Zadecka Animator on "Prehistoric Planet"

Daria Zadecka 3D ANIMATION DEMO REEL 2023 from Daria Zadecka on Vimeo.

Check out the latest demo reel above from Escapee Daria Zadecka, who animated a number of shots for "Prehistoric Planet", while working at MPC in London.  Daria Zadecka took our Master's Degree in Computer Animation at Escape Studios, taught by veteran animator Lee Caller. 

Understanding Scale When Animating

In this short video, animation tutor Marc Stevenson explains the importance of scale when making choices in animation.  Why do big monsters appear to move more slowly than small ones?  Do big things fall slower than small ones? (answer: no).  In the end, it's all to do with perception. Watch this intriguing video to find out. 

Escape Studios Official "Rookies" Page

Escape Studios now has its very own "Rookies" page

We're proud to announce that Escape Studios now has its very own "Rookies" page, showcasing some of the best work done by our students.

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." All our final year students are encouraged to enter as part of their Professional Practice Module.

Alba Rodriguez Castell Animator at 23 in Barcelona

Alba Rodriguez Castell

Congratulations to Escapee Alba Rodriguez Castell who has started work as a junior animator at 23 Lunes Animation Studio in Barcelona. 

Alba came to us on exchange from La Salle in Barcelona, studying the Art of Computer Animation at Escape Studios, and joining us for two modules, Specialism Module CR5001 and Studio Production Module PR5001.

While at Escape Studios, Alba wrote and directed the award-winning animated short film "Explosive Love", a group project which has won many festival awards.

"Queerbaiting" Wins Best LGBT Film at Tekka Fest

"Queerbaiting" wins "Best LGBT film" at Tekka Awards

Congratulations to the makers of "Queerbaiting", which has won "Best LGBT film" at the Tekka International Film Awards. 

Directed by Ellen Hughes and produced by Wiktoria Swierk, "Queerbaiting" was animated in Maya, edited in Adobe Premiere Pro, and rendered in Unreal Engine.  Textures were created in Substance Painter.  

This is Queerbaiting's first festival award. 

Jellyfish TDs Attend Escape Solaris Workshop

Jellyfish TDs visit Escape Studios

A group of Jellyfish Pictures TDs and Developers - Cameron Bourne, Diana Pelino, Nikhil Shankar-Noble, Ryan Fuller, Elif Su Ulasoglu, Enno Schluender - and Escapee Raphael Kennedy - had a fantastic start to the week, attending the SideFX Software Solaris Workshop at Escape Studios with a deep-dive into Houdini, Karma and USD.  

All Jellyfish shows are now using Houdini and Solaris.

Luis Yarroll Intern at DNEG Animation

Luis Yarroll

Many congratulations to Escape Studios animation student Luis Yarroll who has started an internship at DNEG, one of the UK's leading visual effects houses.  Internships at DNEG are highly competitive, with applications from students all over the UK. 

Luis is in his second year of studies at Escape Studios, but he has already produced two award-winning animated shorts: "Squeaky Clean" and "Wake:Up!", both completed with a small team in under six weeks.  

Houdini Tutor Simon Browne "Escapes To The Cape"

Houdini Tutor Simon Browne "Escapes To The Cape"

Escape Studios' Houdini tutor Simon Browne was in South Africa recently, at The Cape Town International Animation Festivaol, representing Escape Studios with an in-person "taster" tutorial in Houdini.

Houdini is a software package which is increasingly dominant in creating physics-based VFX such as fire, smoke and water. 

Introducing "Lumi"

Meet "Lumi", the latest short film created by our second year animation students at Escape Studios.  Lumi was directed by Maye Liu, co-directed by Sirisha Mutty, and produced by Amy Little.  Lumi was completed as part of Studio Module PR5001, a collaborative module in which second-year animation students work together on short film projects.

"Labyrinth Reloaded" Wins "Best Anim" at Tekka Fest

Congratulations to the makers of Labyrinth Reloaded, the animated short created by our graduating class of animation students at Escape Studios, which has won "Best Animated Short" at the Tekka International Film Festival.  

Directed by Sholto "CJ" Rock and produced by Wiktoria Swierk, Labyrinth Reloaded was animated with Toonboom Harmony, and edited in Adobe Premiere Pro.

This is its first festival award. 

Tsveti Kumanova Animator at Fire Without Smoke

Tsvetelina Kumanova joins Fire Without Smoke

Many congratulations to Escapee Tsvetelina Kumanova who has joined Fire Without Smoke, one of the UK's leading games companies, as a junior animator.

Tsvetelina Kumanova studied the Art of Computer Animation at Escape Studios, and went on to complete an MA in Character and Creature Creation. 

While at Escape Studios, Tsveti contributed to a number of award-winning projects, including Burger Royale,  Pet Shop, and Candlewick.  Tsveti has personally won two festival awards for her work.

A number of Escapees have started their careers at Fire Without Smoke, including VFX students Fabrizio Bergamo and Gioia Varago. 

"Bouya" Wins "Best Production" at Art Film Awards

"Bouya" wins "Best Production" at the Art Film Awards

Congratulations to the makers of "Bouya", which has won "Best Production" at the Art Film Awards.  

"Bouya" was directed by Chiyoko Coyte and produced by Alex Sellen, both studying the Art of Computer Animation at Escape Studios.  

"Bouya" tells the hidden story of mysterious forest creatures working together to clean up the mess left by thoughtless humans. 

This is Bouya's first festival award. 

Introducing "Risen"

Risen from Jane Williams on Vimeo.

Meet "Risen", the latest vfx short from our graduating students at Escape Studios. "Risen" was a collaboration between 3D VFX and 2D VFX students in their final year, working together to create a short film, simulating as closely as possible the workings of a real animation studio. 

"3 Peaks Challenge" to Honour Dan Brand-Sinyinza

3 Peaks Challenge

A number of members of Daniel Brand Sinyinza's family, including his younger brother and cousins, are doing the "Three Peaks Challenge" to raise £5,000 for disadvantaged children, and to honour Daniel's memory.

The Three Peaks Challenge involves climbing the highest peaks in Scotland, England and Wales in one go; Ben Nevis in Scotland, Scafell Pike in England, and Mount Snowdon in Wales.  

Daniel Brand-Sinyinza was a much-loved member of the Escape Studios family, a talented award-winning artist whose life was cut short prematurely by cancer. 

Here at Escape Studios we mourn his passing and support this effort to honour his memory.

"Malloe" Wins Best Children's Short at Rohip Fest

"Malloe" wins "Best Children's Short" at Rohip Fest

Congratulations to the makers of "Malloe", which has won an award for "Best Children's Short" at the Rohip International Film Festival. 

"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. 

Comedy Acting for Animators is Back on June 30th

Joe Dieffenbacher

On Friday 30 June 2023 we welcome back actor, clown and improv artist Joe Dieffenbacher to Escape Studios, to teach a masterclass in "Physical Comedy for Animators" with our Short Course and MA Animation students.

Joe's class is a practical, physical workshop in acting skills, aimed specifically at helping animators to create more believable, authentic (and funny) acting choices in their work.

Animators are actors - with a pencil or a mouse - and we need to learn how to make a strong acting performance and then translate that into our on-screen animation.

Year 1 VFX Reel By Daniel Beeching

Year 1 VFX Reel By Daniel Beeching.  Daniel Beeching's reel is a great example of what can be done in the first year of Escape Studios, in which students tackle their first modules in animation, games and visual effects. Our first year is a common year; students must master the basics of the pipeline across all three disciplines, and then make a final decision as to which discipline in which to specialise in their second year. To find out more about what is in the First Year at Escape Studios, follow this link. 

"Wake:Up!" Best Editing at London Movie Awards

"Wake:Up!" wins "Best Editing" at London Movie Awards

Congratulations to the makers of "Wake:Up!", one of the short films created by our second year animation students at Escape Studios, which has won the "Best Editing" award at The London Movie Awards.  

Wake:Up! was written, co-edited and directed by David Martin Lanuza and co-edited and produced by Luis Yarroll.

This is its first festival award. 

Introducing "The Descent"

Introducing "The Descent", the latest short film created by our second year animation students at Escape Studios.  The Descent was directed Sirisha Mutty and produced by Belle Leuschke, and was completed as part of Studio Module PR5001, a collaborative module in which second-year animation students work together on short film projects.

"Luciferin" Wins "Best VFX" at Rohip Film Festival

Luciferin wins Best VFX at Rohip Film Festival

Congratulations to the makers of Luciferin, the VFX short created at Escape Studios by our graduating class of VFX artists, which has won "Best VFX" at the Rohip film festival.

Directed by Jake Roberts and produced by Bruno Urzi,  Luciferin was a collaboration between 2D and 3D VFX Students, working together to create a short film.  

Luciferin tells the story of a marine biologist working in a deep sea biosphere.  This is its first festival award.  

Meet "Curiosities of The Ruthless Roupell St"

Curiosities of the Ruthless Roupell Street from Victoria Arraez on Vimeo.

Introducing "Curiosities of The Ruthless Roupell St", the latest VFX short created at Escape Studios by our graduating class of VFX artists.  Directed by Oliver Chenery and produced by Victoria Arraez, "Curiosities of The Ruthless Roupell St" was a collaboration between 2D and 3D VFX Students, working together to create a short film.   What mysteries await the visitor to Rouppell St?

"Backtrack" Wins "Best Trailer" in Dubai

"Backtrack" wins "Best Trailer" in Dubai

Congratulations to the makers of "Backtrack", the teaser/trailer created by our second year animation students at Escape Studios, which has won "Best Trailer" at the Dubai International Film Festival.

"Backtrack" is a teaser/trailer for an animated film telling the story of a young athlete who is bullied at school. 

The Backtrack trailer was directed by Philippa "Pip" Cowen and produced by Sihaam "Simu" Weheliye. It has won many festival awards. 

Meet "Lux Mediae Noctis"

Lux Mediae Noctis | Student Short Film - Escape Studios from Enrico Vaccari on Vimeo.

Meet "Lux Mediae Noctis", the latest short film created at Escape Studios by our graduating class of VFX artists.  Produced and directed by Henry Claud N'Guetta and Enrico Vaccari, Lux Mediae Noctis was a collaboration between 2D and 3D VFX Students, working together to create a short film.  

Alex Maynard Wins "Most Valuable" Award

Alex Maynard - Triple Award Winner

Many congratulations to Escapee Alex Maynard who won no less than three awards at our graduation ceremony last week. 

Alex won the award for "Most Valuable Player", the "Superhero Award" for his work as a Studio Assistant - and finally the "Best Animation Project Award" for his team's final film 'Good Soup'.

Alex is currently working as a junior animator on the hit TV Series "Pop Paper City", a co-production between LoveLove Films and Aardman Animation.

"Liminal" Wins Best Horror Short at Rohip Festival

"Liminal" wins "Best Horror Short Film" at Rohip Fest

Many congratulations to the makers of "Liminal", which has won "Best Horror Short Film" at the Rohip International Film Festival.

"Liminal" tells the story of a young girl in a hospital ward who is beset by demons of the imagination.  It was written and directed by Zoe Walker, and produced by Alex Sellen.  

This is the latest of many festival awards for Liminal.

Escape Studios 2023 Graduate Showcase

2023 Graduate Showcase

Welcome to Escape Studios 2023 Graduate Showcase.  To see a selection of the best work done by our 2023  animation, games and VFX graduates, take a look at the Escape Studios' 2023 Graduate Showcase

Projects include many award-winning short films.  This year we also have a Yearbook page to see a complete list of our talented graduates, and what they do. 

Motion Graphics Returns 2 April 2024

Our next Motion Graphics 12 Week Evening Course returns on 2 April 2024.  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.

"End of The Line" Wins "Best Sci-Fi" at FOFA

"End of The Line" wins "Best Sci-Fi" at FOFA

Congratulations to the makers of "End of The Line" - the short animated film created at Escape Studios, which has won "Best Sci-Fi" at the Future of Film Awards.

Directed by Eren Arnold and produced by Zoe Walker,  End of The Line tells the story of an inebriated passenger who must confront his inner demons on a night train.  

"End of The Line" is the final film created by our graduating class of animation students at Escape Studios.  This is its first festival award. 

Welcome to Gamebridge! 1 July 2023

£5,000 of prizes to be won by student contestants

We're recommending the free live event "Gamebridge" to all our games and animation students, especially our recent graduates. 

"Gamebridge" takes place on Saturday 1 July 2023 at Anglia Ruskin University; you can find out more at the official site here.

"Tatty" Wins Best Animated Short at Tekka Film Fest

Congratulations to the makers of the VFX short film "Tatty", which has won "Best Animated Short" at the Tekka International Film Festival. 

Directed by Amelia Watson and produced by Wiktoria Swierk, "Tatty" was a collaboration between undergraduate animation and vfx students at Escape Studios, working together to create an original story.   

This is the latest of many festival awards for Tatty.

Meet "Queerbaiting"

Meet "Queerbaiting", the latest short animated film made by our graduating class of animation students at Escape Studios.  Directed by Ellen Hughes and produced by Wiktoria Swierk, "Queerbaiting" was animated in Maya, edited in Adobe Premiere Pro, and rendered in Unreal Engine.  Textures were created in Substance Painter. 

"Explosive Love" Wins "Best Short" in Houston

"Explosive Love" in Houston Underwater Film Fest

Congratulations to the makers of "Explosive Love", which has won "Best Short Film" at the Houston Underwater Film Festival (HUFF).

"Explosive Love" was directed by Alba Rodriguez and produced by Rohnak Sharma.  

"Explosive Love" tells the story of a lonely puffer fish looking for love - in an unlikely place.  This is its fifth festival award.

Introducing "Luciferin"

Luciferin | VFX Short Film - Escape Studios from Bruno Urzì on Vimeo.

Meet Luciferin, the latest short film created at Escape Studios by our graduating class of VFX artists. Directed by Jake Roberts and produced by Bruno Urzi,  Luciferin was a collaboration between 2D and 3D VFX Students, working together to create a short film.  In Luciferin, a scientist wakes up disoriented and confused following a mysterious accident; as he recovers his senses, he encounters a shocking entity - and must confront a horror of his own creation.

"Good Soup" Wins "Best Micro Short" at Vesuvius Fest

Good Soup" wins "Best Micro Short" at Vesuvius Film Fest

Congratulations to the makers of "Good Soup", the latest animated short created by our graduating class of animation students at Escape Studios, which has won "Best Micro Short" at the Vesuvius Film Festival.

Directed by Jessa Timog-Santiago and produced by Iulineia Filip,  Good Soup was made using Maya, Substance Painter, and Unreal Engine.  

Creative Technology Degrees - Designed with Industry

Our newly launched BSc/MSci in Technical Art for Games & VFX is currently recruiting for September 2023.  To see what these degrees are all about, and what sort of skills are involved, watch the introductory video above.  These new courses bridge the gap between technology and art in the VFX and Games industries, teaching students to embrace the technical architecture that underpins games and VFX work, as well as the artistic side. If you are good at coding and also have an artistic eye - this course could be right for you.

Meet "Labyrinth Reloaded"

Meet Labyrinth Reloaded, the latest animated short created by our graduating class of animation students at Escape Studios.  Directed by Sholto "CJ" Rock and produced by Wiktoria Swierk, Labyrinth Reloaded was animated with Toonboom Harmony, and edited in Adobe Premiere Pro.

"Backtrack" Wins "Best Micro Short" at Rohip Fest

Congratulations to the makers of "Backtrack", the teaser/trailer created by our second year animation students at Escape Studios, which has won "Best Micro Short" at the Rohip International Film Festival.

"Backtrack" is a teaser/trailer for an animated film telling the story of a young athlete who is bullied at school. 

The Backtrack trailer was directed by Philippa "Pip" Cowen and produced by Sihaam "Simu" Weheliye. It has won a number of festival awards. 

"Lucky Break" Wins "Best VFX" at HEI Fest

"Lucky Break" wins "Best VFX" at Heart of Europe Fest

Many congratulations to the makers of "Lucky Break", which has won "Best VFX" at the Heart of Europe Film Festival.

Lucky Break was directed by Victoria Stoykova, edited by Rohnak Sharma, and produced by Adewale Ogunbekun. 

Lucky Break was a collaboration between undergraduate animation and vfx students, working together to create an original story.  Lucky Break has won many festival awards.

Raphael Kennedy Tech Artist at Jellyfish Pictures

Raphael Kennedy

Many congratulations to Escapee Raphael Kennedy who has started work as a Technical Artist at the animation and VFX house Jellyfish Pictures. 

Raphael studied the Art of VFX at Escape Studios, and has further developed his technical skills to include Houdini and the USD workflow.

While at Escape Studios, Raphael contributed his skills to a number of multiple-award winning short films, including Home Sweet Home and Vivi Ossa, both of which enjoyed considerable festival success. 

Introducing "Wake:Up!"

 

Meet "Wake:Up!", the latest short film created by our second year students at Escape Studios.  Wake:Up! was directed by David Martin and produced by Luis Yarroll, and was made as part of a Studio Project Module in which students work together to make short films, simulating as closely as possible the workings of a real animation studio. 

Last Call for 2023 Rookies

Last call for The Rookies Awards 

Last call for our students to enter The Rookies Awards, the international competition for young creatives. The competition closes today, Thursday 1st June 2023 - the final deadline.

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." All our final year students are encouraged to enter as part of their Professional Practice Module.