Joining DNEG Redefine and "The Escape Verse"

The "Escapeverse"

"The Escapeverse" is what we call the Escape Studios universe - the ecosystem in which we teach, recruit, and work with industry to deliver the highest possible standards of education in the fields of animation, games and visual effects. 

In January of this year I found myself joining The Escapeverse.  After ten years of teaching at Escape Studios, I have gone on industry secondment - joining DNEG Redefine as animation director on a new feature film, a co-production between Redefine and Sky, with most of the animation being done in Hyderabad, India.

DNEG Redefine

DNEG Redefine is part of DNEG, the British-Indian visual effects house founded in 1998 in London, and responsible for high-end vfx work on countless movies and TV shows.  In 2014 DNEG merged with the Indian VFX company Prime Focus.

UK and India

Today, Redefine has offices in both London and Hyderabad, working together to create original animated films.  I am currently working in the DNEG London office in Great Portland St, but also - from time to time - visiting the Hyderabad studio. 

Still at Escape Studios

Despite this, I haven't left Escape Studios. I will continue to work for Escape part-time, working around the edges of film production.  

I will likely be with Redefine for about a year, returning to Escape Studios full time in early 2026. 

Industry and Education

And it's important to add that there is nothing new about this.  At Escape Studios our tutors come from industry, ensuring that they understand not just the theory behind their craft but also the practical day-to-day reality of surviving in industry.  Many of our tutors are themselves former Escapees, so they understand what we do.

Industry Links

Kevin Richards at Pop Paper City

Many of our tutors continue to work in industry as freelancers, or move from industry to Escape (and back again). 

One example is animation tutor Kevin Richards, recently a lead animator at Pop Paper City, who was also able to recruit many Escapees to work on the show - a symbiotic relationship which benefitted both Pop Paper City and (of course) our Escapees.

Escape Method

To see more about how we teach at Escape Studios, read this blog post about "The Escape Method" - how we teach, and how we build our systems. 

Escapees at DNEG
So, for now, I add my name to the long (and growing) list of Escapees who have joined
DNEG, including:

• Alex Maynard Animator at DNEG
• Callum Walters Joins DNEG
• Escapee Denise Esposito Joins DNEG
• Tendai Mande – Sweatbox TD at DNEG
• Shanae Bedford, runner at DNEG
• Emma Riddel Creature TD at DNEG
• Alex Budulan Unreal Engine TD at DNEG
• Guy Penwill VFX Artist at DNEG
• Alisha Huxtable Line Producer at DNEGLuis Yarroll Intern at DNEG Animation

----Alex

The Escape Studios Animation Blog offers a personal view on the art of animation and visual effects.  To apply for one of our courses, follow this link.