Why We Make Multiple Short Films

Father's Blade

For our Animation and VFX students at Escape Studios, creating multiple short films in a limited timeframe is a powerful way to develop skills, discover unique visual styles, and build a portfolio of polished work.  

While a longer year-long project might seem like an ideal opportunity to polish one film to perfection, here is why producing several short films can be a much more valuable learning experience:

What Does a VFX Producer Do, Exactly?

VFX Producer Martin Gabriel

What Does a Visual Effects Producer Do, Exactly?  Martin Gabriel is a visual effects producer with a long list of successful feature films on his resume, including Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, X-Men, The last Stand, Underdog and Lara Croft: Tomb Raider.

Martin Gabriel also worked on the TV series Band of Brothers and The Prisoner.  Martin teaches our evening class in VFX Production at Escape Studios.  In the blog post below Martin explains what it is that VFX Producers actually do, exactly. 

Why Animators Should Keep a SketchBook

Alex Williams sketchbook 1989

Here at Escape Studios we recommend that all our students keep a sketchbook.

  

Especially for animators, keeping a sketchbook is an important tool for creative growth - it's a place to practice drawing, create ideas - and keep a record of your own development.  

Here's why every animator should make drawing and scribbling in a sketchbook part of their daily practice:

Animation Resources from Toonboom for Harmony

Andy Wyatt and Isabelle Bilodeau visit Escape Studios

For all our students studying 2D animation with Toonboom Harmony, Toonboom have supplied many free Resources for learning  Harmony. 

On a recent visit to Escape Studios from the Toonboom team, UK Toonboom rep Andy Wyatt and Toonboom Director Isabelle Bilodeau were keen to make sure that our students have the necessary resources to make the best use of their software.  Below are some resources from Toonboom on how to make the best use of Harmony.

Escape Studios VPN - 2024 Update

VPN at Escape Studios

How does the VPN work at Escape Studios? "VPN" stands for "Virtual Private Network", ie a service that helps users maintain privacy and security online.  

Escape Studios' VPN establishes a secure, encrypted connection between our students' home computer and the internet, providing a private tunnel for data and communications.

At Escape Studios, the VPN allows (but with important limitations - see below) our students to work remotely, accessing all the software that they would normally use if they were working on site. 

By connecting to our VPN, users open a "tunnel" that goes from their computer and through our firewall to connect to to the Escape network.

The chief limitation on the VPN is the number of workstations available. If you are working remotely during normal working hours, your chances of finding a free workstation are low.  But if you are working in the late afternoon/evening or on weekends, your chances are much higher, as many more machines will be available. 

Ivy Wang Compositor at Flawless AI

Ivy Wang Joins Flawless AI

Many congratulations to Escapee Ivy Wang who has started as a compositor at Flawless AI, creators of AI-powered tools for the creative industries.  

Ivy Wang joins Escape Studios' tutor Allar Kaasik  who is now Visual Effects Supervisor at Flawless AI.

Ivy Wang studied the Art of Visual Effects at Escape Studios. While at Escape Studios, Ivy Wang contributed to many short films, including the award-winning films Sea of Madness, Odd Socks and X-Terminate. 

Character & Creature Creation Showreel

Check our our new Character and Creature Creation Showreel. This selection of the best work created by our students at Escape Studios shows how far our Character and Creature Creation MA and Short Course has come in the past year.  Congratulations to all our students on their excellent work.

Escapee Alex Budulan FX Artist at Hogarth Studios

Alex Budulan

Many congratulations to Escapee Alex Budulan who has joined Hogarth Studios as an FX artist.  Hogarth Studios is a WPP-owned global company that provides marketing implementation services, including all-channel production for international companies.

Alex Budulan studied the Art of Visual Effects at Escape Studios.  While at Escape, Alex contributed to a number of successful animated films, including the short film "Reece" and the short animated teaser "Street Ratz", which won multiple festival awards.

Escape Studios International Student Guide

International Student Guide

This September Escape studios welcomed our first new international students since Brexit. 

Escape Studios recently received our UKVI Licence, meaning that we are now able to sponsor international students to study with us on student visas.

Now that we are once again in a position to open our doors to students from overseas, we have launched our new International Student Guide to answer questions about studying at Escape Studios, with all the information international students need in one place.

Visit our website and fill in the form for access to our International Student Guide.

Compositing MA Returns on 24 February 2025

Our Short Course and MA In Compositing returns on 24 February 2025.  Taught by industry veteran Klaudija Cermak , this course teaches the art and craft of 2D VFX compositing for the visual effects industry. 

Compositing is the art of combining different images to create a seamless result.  Compositors are always in demand in the VFX industry, with high levels of employment among our 2D VFX Escapees.

Escape Studios is Hiring

We're hiring! To find out more, go to
https://careers.escapestudios.ac.uk/

Join our crew to become part of one of the UK’s leading schools for animation, games, VFX, concept art and motion graphics. 

Escape Studios has been at the forefront of creative education since 2002, supplying the industry with studio-ready talent. 

Escape Studios Software Handbook 2024

Escape Studios' updated Software Handbook is now live, and ready to download.

The Software Handbook, which is completely free, is designed to help our students learn more about the key software that is currently used in the creative industries.

The Software Handbook also helps identify the free software that our students can download at no cost, and use to start polishing their skills.

Concept Art Returns on 5 March 2024

Concept Art by Sohaib Mehar

Our Concept Art Evening Class returns to Escape Studios on 5 March 2025.  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 and - of course - the growing power of AI.

Escapee Montse Larque Animator at Framestore

Montse Larqué

Many congratulations to Escapee Montse Larqué who has joined Framestore as an animator, working on the latest installment of the Paddington franchise - Paddington 3.

Montse Larqué Ferrer joined us at Escape Studios as an Exchange Student from La Salle in Barcelona, working as both concept artist and also Lead Animator on the VFX short film "Sweet Heart", which has won many festival awards.

MA 3D Animation Returns 24 February 2025

Animation by Jamie Floodgate

Our next Short Course and MA (Master of Arts) in 3D Animation returns on 24 February 2025.

The Short Course and MA in animation is 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".  

Escapee Chiyoko Coyte Animator at YGames

Escapee Chiyoko Coyte Animator at Y Games

Many congratulations to Escapee Chiyoko Coyte Animator at Y Games.  

Chiyoko Coyte studied the Art of Computer Animation at Escape Studios, graduating with a First Class Degree.

While at Escape Studios, Chiyoko Coyte worked on many award-winning films, including Bouya, The Wanderer, Stellar Rescue and Lucky Break. 

Escapeverse Online Returns 24-27 Feb 2025

Save the Date! EscapeVerse Live (formerly the VFX Festival) is back - returning on 24-27 February 2025.  

The 2025 EscapeVerse Live Festival will be held live online.  

To book your tickets either in-person or online, follow this link.  

"Theseus" Wins "Best VFX" at Makizhmithran Fest

Theseus and The Minotaur: "Best VFX" in Makizhmithran

Congratulations to the makers of Theseus and The Minotaur which has won "Best VFX" at the Makizhmithran Film Festival.

Theseus and The Minotaur tells the story of the Greek hero's entry into the Labyrinth, and was directed by Mitchell Wright and produced by Ayesha-Ria Jina. The 3D lead was Xavier Barker, and the 2D Lead was Ethan Mainwaring-Taylor.  Industry feedback was provided by Industrial Light & Magic.  

This its fourth festival award. 

Escapee Belle Leuschke Joins Time Based Arts

Escapee Belle Leuschke joins Time Based Arts 

Many congratulations to Escapee Belle Leuschke who has joined the VFX house Time Based Arts in Shoreditch, London.

Belle Leuschke studied the Art of Computer Animation at Escape Studios, winning many awards for her work on a number of short films, including "When Life Gives You Lemons", Breakdown", and "The Descent". 

Where Are The UK Animation Studios?

Animation UK's Studio Directory

There are around 2,500 animation studios in the UK, of which a little under 500 have employees - making them worth targeting for an entry-level job.  But how to find them?  

One great resource is Animation UK's Studios Directory, which you can find here.  Click on the link and you can start making lists of UK Animation Studios - and then start applying. 

"Ursula" Thumbnail Sketches by Ruben Aquino

With animation, you get nothing for free.  Animators have to fill this blank space with creative, entertaining animation.  

The secret of success is to plan your animation - start with sketches and scribbles ("thumbnail sketches") which create a road map of where you want to go. 

The video below shows how the master Disney animator Ruben Aquino planned out a dialogue shot with Ursula the Sea Witch in The Little Mermaid.  

"And now look at me...Wasted away to practically nothing!"

What's The Point of Entering The Rookies?

What is the point of entering The Rookies? 

Why enter The Rookies?  The Rookies is an international competition for young creatives; part contest and part showcase for rising talent. 

For our students and Escapees, showcasing your work in a competitive, professional environment is a crucial step toward launching a successful career.  It helps you to build confidence in your work, and also serves as an online portfolio.  

Producing For VFX is Back on 5 March 2025

Producing for VFX returns 5 March 2025

Our Evening Class in Producing for VFX is back, starting on 5 March 2025.  Producing for VFX is an eight week evening class, taught two nights a week (Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7-10pm). 

Producing for VFX is designed to give students a thorough understanding of how the VFX production pipeline works, and how to apply it in practice.  

Escapee Alex Maynard Animator at DNEG

Alex Maynard joins Jellyfish Pictures

Many congratulations to Escapee Alex Maynard who has joined DNEG as an animator.  

Alex Maynard studied the Art of Computer Animation at Escape Studios.  Alex also contributed to a number of award-winning short films, including Hannibelle, which he directed, "Freefall", "Our Ocean" and "Game Knight". 

 DNEG (formerly Double Negative) is one of the UK's longest-established VFX and animation houses; responsible for multiple blockbuster hits.

Escapee Tendai Mande Sweatbox Lead at DNEG

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

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

DNEG (formerly Double Negative) is one of the UK's longest-established VFX and animation houses; responsible for multiple blockbuster hits.

"Order Up" Wins "Best Super Short" in London

"Order Up" wins "Best Super Short" at London Movie Awards  

Congratulations to the makers of "Order Up" which has won "Best Super Short" at the London Movie Awards.  

Order Up was completed as part of Studio Module PR5001, a collaborative module in which second-year animation students work together on short film projects.  Order Up was directed by Shavaz Uzice, edited by Tobi Ajibola, and produced by “Moses” Tsz Yau Ho. The art director was Holly Ackroyd.  This is its second festival award.

Stanislavski's 7 Questions For Actors (and Animators)

Konstantin Stanislavski

The Russian actor and theatre director Konstantin Stanislavski said that an actor should ask seven questions to understand the nature of their character. 

Animators are actors - but with a pencil or a mouse. To make our work believable, we need to ask these same questions, so that our work has authenticity.  Just like actors, we need to get into the heads of our characters, and understand them. 

Today is Graduation Day at Escape Studios

Today is Graduation Day at Escape Studios. This year's Graduation Ceremony takes place today, Monday 11th November 2024 at the Queen Elizabeth II Centre in Westminster at 4pm.  

On Graduation Day we welcome all our graduating students for the graduation ceremony and for the reception afterwards. 

The Escape Studios Graduation Ceremony is a formal occasion for our Escapees to receive their degrees from Escape Studios - and to celebrate their achievements after many years of hard work. 

Our Escapees have produced over 100 short films and won over 500 hundred festival awards. 

UK VFX Tax Credit Uplift Start on Jan 1st 2025

UK VFX tax credit uplift starts on Jan 1st 2025

One piece of good news in the recent UK Budget was the UK VFX tax credit uplift, which will start on Jan 1st 2025.

On 30 October 2024 the Chancellor of the Exchequer confirmed an increased tax incentive for spending on visual effects (“VFX”) in the UK - which has been warmly welcomed by the UK’s VFX industry. 

From Jan 1st 2025, VFX spending in the UK will attract a net rebate of 29.25% and would be exempt from the overall 80% cap on spending eligible for film and TV tax relief. 

Counselling Services at Escape Studios

Counselling from Spectrum Life

How do students at Escape Studios get help and support when they need it?

Escape Studios has a student assistance programme, Spectrum Life, which offers counselling and support to students who need it. Spectrum Life is available to our students 24/7 online, over the phone, or through social media. 

Spectrum Life provide access to talking therapies, counselling, and therapy sessions designed to help students articulate their difficulties and identify ways in which they can overcome them.  

Details on how to access Spectrum Life are available via eVision at the Escape Studios Student Portal. 

What's The Point of Winning Festival Awards?

Here at Escape Studios our student film-makers have won hundreds of festival awards - more than 500 over the past decade.  But what's the point of it all?  Do awards make a difference? 

At Escape Studios we train Studio-Ready Talent, teaching artists to work in teams and produce professional-quality work, simulating as closely as possible the realities of a studio environment. 

Festival awards are a recognition that the work produced by our students is of professional quality.  Awards also help to burnish our students' IMDB profiles - an important first step in winning recognition in our industry. 

"Meet The Masters" With Daniel Amor 28 Nov at 6pm

"Meet The Masters" With Daniel Amor takes place on Thursday 28 November 2024. from 6-7pm.

Daniel Amor joins Escape Studios to teach our new Short Course and MA in Motion Graphics.

Daniel Amor is an experienced Motion Graphics Artist who has also worked extensively in the VFX industry. 

Daniel took our 12 week animation course at Escape Studios and has worked on many animation and VFX hits, including Hunger Games, Black Panther and The Marvels.

"Game Heist" Wins Best Animation in Milan

"Game Heist" wins "Best Animation" in Milan

Congratulations to the makers of "Game Heist", the VFX short film from Escape Studios, which has won "Best Animation" at the Milan Gold Awards.  

Directed by Mitchell Wright and produced by Ayesha-Ria Jina, "Game Heist", tells the story of a group of misfit toys trying to steal a video game.

This is its first festival award. 

Why Animators Should Cut on Movement

One of the key principles of cinematography is to cut on movement. What does that mean? It means that if you start an action in one shot, carry it over into the second.  

Let's say you are cutting from a wide shot to a close up, you start the motion in the wide shot, then carry it over to the next shot. This makes the cut feel less abrupt.

"Outpatient" Wins "Best VFX" at the EE Film Fest

"Outpatient" Wins "Best VFX" at the EEFF

Congratulations to the makers of the VFX short film "Outpatient", which has won "Best VFX" at the Eastern Europe Film Festival.

"Outpatient" was directed by Charlie Wilson, co-directed by Idris Driver, produced by Harry Symonds, and co-produced by Emmanuel Rahman. "Outpatient" tells the story of a hospital patient on the edge of survival.  

This is the film's fourth festival award. 

Acting For Animators w Joe Dieffenbacher 11 Dec 2024

Acting for Animators: Joe Dieffenbacher

On 11th December 2024 Escape Studios welcomes actor, clown and improv artist Joe Dieffenbacher to teach a masterclass in "Acting for Animators" with our Second Year 2D Animation Students.

Acting For Animators will take place at Husky Studios (near Elephant & Castle), Studio 2, from 9:30am to 12:30pm. Joe Dieffenbacher will lead the workshop.

Joe Dieffenbacher's class is a practical, physical workshop in acting skills, aimed 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 turn that into animation.

Escape Studios 2024 Anim Games & VFX Demo Reel

Welcome to the Escape Studios 2024 Demo Reel - our selection of the very best Animation Games and VFX work completed over the past year.  This latest edit includes work by our most recent graduating class, as well as clips from many of our award-winning short films.  Congratulations to all our students on their remarkable work, once again raising the creative bar ever higher.

Escapee Callum Walters Prod'n Supervisor at DNEG

Callum Walters joins DNEG

Many congratulations to Escapee Callum Walters who has joined DNEG as a Production Supervisor. 

DNEG (formerly Double Negative) is one of the UK's longest-established VFX and animation houses; responsible for multiple blockbuster hits.

Callum Walters studied the Art of Visual Effects at Escape Studios, graduating with First Class Honours.  While at Escape, Callum contributed to a number of award-winning films, including Vivi Ossa and the BAFTA-shortlisted Jerich0. 

Why Animators Need Walks on Their Demo Reel

"Monty" in the gym by Sam Baker

One common mistake junior animators make when cutting a demo reel is to leave off basic exercises like walks, character walks and runs. 

Walks and runs can be (and should be) on an animation demo reel - for just long enough to show that these exercises are firmly inside the animator's skill set.  Every animator needs to be able to animate a walk and a run. 

Escapee Sunny Asadi Joins Aardman Animation

Sunny Asadi

Many congratulations to Escapee Sayna "Sunny" Asadi who has joined Aardman Animation in Bristol, one of the UK's leading animation studios, responsible for Morph, Wallace & Gromit and "Chicken Run".

Sunny Asadi took our master's degree in the Art of Computer Animation, taught by veteran animator Lee Caller.  

While at Escape Studios, Sunny contributed to a number of short films, including the award-winning short Same Day Delivery.

Uma Mahendran Story Artist on "That Christmas"

Uma Mahendran

Many congratulations to Escapee Uma Mahendran who earned a screen credit as a storyboard artist on the new Netflix release from Locksmith Animation and DNEG: "That Christmas". 

 Uma Mahendran took our Short Course in 3D Animation at Escape Studios, and is currently working as a storyboard artist.  

"That Christmas" is a Netflix release, produced by Locksmith Animation and the UK VFX and animation house DNEG.

Undergraduate (UG) Open Day on Sat 16 Nov 2024

Undergraduate Open Day on Sat 16th November 2024

Escape Studios is hosting a new free undergraduate open days on Saturday 16th November 2024.

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, and also to check out our North Greenwich Campus.

Escapee Sandeep Tuladhar Joins Moonbug Animation

Sandeep Tuladhar 

Congratulations to Escapee Sandeep Tuladhar who has joined Moonbug Entertainment, one of the largest global creators of animation for children, as a Post Production Manager.  

Sandeep graduated from Escape Studios with an MArt in The Art of Visual Effects, and has since forged a successful career in animation and visual effects, working on major projects like Entergalactic, The Garfield Movie and Under The Boardwalk. 

While at Escape Studios, Sandeep Tuladhar contributed to the VFX short film Lost City of Aztlan.

3D Animation Evening Class Returns 3 March 2025

Our 3D Animation Evening Class runs for 20 weeks on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, from 7-10pm, and is taught online by veteran animator Matteo Sanna.

Students start with basic exercises and build towards an industry-ready demo reel.

The 3D Animation Evening Class returns on 3 March 2025. 

MA 3D VFX Returns on 24 February 2025

Our Short Course and Masters' Degree in 3D VFX is back - returning to Escape Studios on 24 February 2025.  Taught by VFX veteran Dan Shutt,  the MA and Short Course in 3D VFX teaches the art and craft of 3D visual effects. 

VFX sits at the heart of Escape Studios, it's what we started doing over 20 years ago when we first began to train talent for the growing visual effects industry.  VFX remains our core mission, with thousands of 3D VFX Escapees having joined VFX houses in the UK and around the globe.