Escape Studios Animators Visit Framestore

Escape Animators visit Framestore

Friday 22nd May was the last day of term for our Second Year Undergraduate Animation Students, and the term ended with a visit to London VFX house Framestore, led by Escapee Ana Erbasu, and Ian Landman, Framestore's Head of Recruitment. 

Our students visited Framestore's Chancery Lane HQ, and saw some of the impressive work done by Framestore across its many divisions.  Kevin Richards reports.

Ian Landman - Head of Recruitment.

Framestore

Framestore's Head of Recruitment Ian Landman lead the video presentation at Framestore and the Q & A that followed, giving an hour long, comprehensive talk that detailed the history of the company. 

Framestore's existence spans three decades, beginning with music videos in the 80s for bands such as AHA, through to high end VFX work for such films as Barbie, Top Gun Maverick, James Bond, and Paddington. 

Ian Landman

As with the Philip Hunt/Studio AKA evening with that took place recently, an emphasis was placed up the importance of diversity in terms of both clients, genres, and techniques.  The Framestore demo reel showcased VFX, both 2d and 3d animation, both mediums combined with motion graphics, and a great variety of styles.

Shortage of Key Talent
The big takeaway from Ian Landman's talk was that in all high end studios there is always massive labour shortage, for artists who can work to the very highest of industry standards.

Framestore Buddy System
Ian also gave valuable information about the Framestore "Buddy" system, whereby juniors hired at Framestore will be systematically mentored by an established professional there, to quickly get up to speed with the system. 

Framestore Summer Internship Program

In the Lobby

Ian Landman also explained the Framestore "Launchpad" Internship program, the intake of which is subscribed for this year but which will open for the summer of 2027 in December 2026.  

Ian advised all Escape Student to prepare their show reels to apply for Launchpad next year.  In the meanwhile, keep an eye on the Framestore website for further details.

Framestore and Generative AI 

On the Framestore balcony on Chancery Lane

Ian Landman also addressed the ongoing questions concerning the growth of AI in the industry. 

His response was honest, positive, and rational: - AI as a tool is being incorporated into the workflow where it is best suited, particularly in preproduction, but it has not replaced the artist. 

The Future of Animation & VFX

Farewell to Escape Studios from Paddington Bear

Ian Landman was sanguine about the future of the industry, stating - "Our clients know what we do with our artists, and they trust us to carry on doing it."

We all gathered in the heat wave sunshine outside and celebrated an end to a very productive and creative year for the Year 2 3d animation. 

I am proud to and excited to see what this talented group of artists will create in their third year at Escape Studios.

Thanks to Framestore
Many thanks to Ana Erbasu and Ian and everyone at Framestore for organising this wonderful and inspiring event for our animation students.

--- Kevin Richards.

The Escape Studios Animation Blog offers a personal view on the art of animation and visual effects.
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