PS6003 - Professional Practice Module

Prof Practice Module PS6003

Our Professional Practice Module (PS6003) forms part of the Third Year of Studies at Escape Studios; it starts in September 2023.

PS6003 aims to prepare our third year animation, games and VFX students for the workplace as they approach the end of their studies.  Professional Practice focuses on employability, so that students understand well before they graduate what it takes to succeed in the creative industries. 

The animation and vfx industries are booming, but jobs remain competitive, and graduates must ensure they have the right skills to compete successfully. 

Interview Workshops

Students attend workshops on how to present themselves well in an interview, and how to handle work situations well. We run regular workshops and "mock interviews" so that students can get live experience of interview scenarios. To see more about how to handle interviews, see the links below:

• Interview Tips with Kevin Richards 
• Common Job Interview Mistakes

CVs and Cover Letters

Write a strong cover letter.

We also offer students practical advice on how to put together a strong CV, and also how to write a strong cover letter.  To find out more, see our Six Rules to Create a Great CV. 

Website and Demo Reel

Putting together an excellent reel, easy for employers to find, is the ultimate goal for all of our students here at Escape Studios. A student's demo reel is the key to finding work in the industry.   For more resources, see below:

• How to Create the Perfect Animation Demo Reel
• Animation Demo Reel Tips from Kevin Richards
• Escape Studios Showreel Guide
• Cinesite's Eamonn Butler Explains What Should Go in an Animation Demo Reel

Escapees Should Be on LinkedIn

Why Animators Need to Be on Linkedin

We also encourage all our students to be on Linkedin, a powerful tool for getting hired, ideally with an attractive banner and a demo reel embedded at the top.  

To see more about Why Animators Need to Be on Linkedin, read this blog post. 

Research Document

A major part of PS6003 assessment is a research document in which students must research their chosen career path - exploring what skills they will need.  What salary can students expect?  Which companies are hiring, for what roles, and what skills are needed?

Applying for Work

Sign up for animationjobs.com

Students identify specific companies to research. Some of our students research the possibility of working overseas, and look into what steps they need to take to make this happen.  Others explore smaller companies with a great work ethic and a family atmosphere.  Others still may find that they need further skills to get where they want to be, and so will set short term and longer term goals.

• Making the Best Use of Animation Recruiters with Kevin Richards
• The Number 1 Reason Graduates Don't Get Hired
• How to Find an Animation Internship
• Be the Rhino - remember that rejection is normal

Portfolio and Demo Reel

We host Regular "Reel Talk" Events

The number one key to success is a strong demo reel. Ultimately, by the end of this course, each student will have a portfolio or reel, as well as some cover letters for the companies they want to work for, giving them their very best chance at starting the next phase of their life where they want to be. 

Leaving Escape Studios and starting working life can be daunting.  Our tutors work hard to send our students into the world or work ready and prepared.

"Reel Talk" Events

We also host regular "Reel Talk" events to make sure all our Escapees leave with a strong demo reel. 

VFX SHOWREEL V2 - Cameron Norris from Cameron on Vimeo.

Tutors

Third year Animation and VFX tutors

PS6003 is taught by our third year animation and VFX tutors, all of who have extensive experience of working in industry:

• Paul Harrison
• Sokratis Synitos
• Sagar Rathod
• Clement Gharini

PS6003 Start Date

PS6003 starts in September 2023. PS6003 is a year-long module that runs through the full year of the third year of studies. 

Jobs Resources at Escape Studios

Be the Rhino - Rejection is Normal

We have many resources available at Escape Studios aimed at helping our students find work in the animation industry. To get started, see the blog posts below:

• How do graduates find work in the animation industry?
• Why Animators Need to be on LinkedIn
• Be the Rhino - remember that rejection is normal
• Six Rules to Create a Great CV
• How to Write a Cover Letter
• How to Find an Animation Internship
• Blue Zoo Recruitment Tips
• Escape Studios' Free Industry Survival Guide
• Escape Studios Free Careers Guide
• Michael Morgan: "From the Classroom to the Studio"
• Why Animators Need a Demo Reel and Website
• How to be a Freelance Animator
• 12 Rules to Find Work in the Animation Industry

The Escape Studios Animation Blog offers a personal view on the art of animation and visual effects. To apply for our BA/MArt in 3D Animation, follow this link. To apply for our storyboarding evening class, visit this page here. For the next 12 week animation course, click here.