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.