AN4001 "Animation 101" Returns 13th January 2025

Animation for AN4001 by Maria Robertson

For our first year undergraduate students, our core animation module - Animation 1 - starts in the New Year, with our first group beginning on Monday 13 January 2025. 

AN4001 is a 15 Credit module that teaches all our first year students the fundamentals of character and creature animation. 

AN4001 lasts four weeks, and covers the basic principles of animation. To see some of the best work done by our first year undergraduate animators, watch the short video below, cut together by Escape Studios' animation tutor Marc Stevenson.

ToonBoom Harmony Animation Tutorials - Steve Lall

Toonboom Harmony tutorials at our Vimeo Channel

We've uploaded a new series of animation tutorials in Toonboom Harmony for our Vimeo Tutorial Channel with veteran animator and Escape Studios' tutor Steven Lall.  

The Escape Studios Vimeo Tutorial Channel is our main hub for our animation and VFX video tutorials, supporting our in-class tuition.  Our tutorials cover Animation, VFX, Compositing, Rigging, Motion Graphics, Storyboarding & Character Design, Unreal Engine and Cinematography.

AN5002 Creature Animation Returns 18 Sept 2023

Snake by Bonnie Duncan

On Monday 18 September 2023 our 2nd year undergraduate animators return to Escape Studios to start their next module: AN5002: Advanced Computer Animation, in which students learn to animate animals and creatures.  

AN5002 starts on Monday 18 September 2023 and finishes on Friday 20 October 2023.  The Portfolio assignment, a 7-11 second animal or creature animation, is due on Wednesday 18 October 2023. The Retrospective assignment is due on Monday 23rd October 2023 at 11.59pm.

Who Teaches 2D Animation at Escape Studios?

2D Animation Team at Escape Studios

Who Teaches 2D Animation at Escape Studios? Meet our talented 2D Animation team, the folks who are delivering our new 2D Animation Pathway at Escape Studios.  

We have many animation tutors with experience in 2D animation; a growing number are now also teaching with the latest 2D animation software - Toonboom Harmony.

In recent years 2D Animation has experienced a significant revival both in the UK and overseas, as Studios such as Blue Zoo, Aardman Animation, and Brown Bag Films adopt new software such as ToonBoom Harmony.

"Mechamorphosis" wins "Best VFX" at FOF Awards

Mechamorphosis: Best VFX at the Future of Film Awards

Congratulations to the makers of "Mechamorphosis", which has won Best Visual Effects at the Future of Film Awards.

Mechamorphosis was written and produced by Alberto Scotti and directed by Ilaria Colavito, both of who are now working as Studio Assistants at Escape Studios.  

Animation was completed by Steven Lall.  Hélios Lyons did the sound design and composed the original music.  The project was overseen by Head of Animation Michael Davies. 

"Mechamorphosis" Wins Best VFX at Art Film Awards

Mechamorphosis Best VFX at AFA

Congratulations to the makers of "Mechamorphosis", which has won Best Visual Effects at the Art Film Awards.

Mechamorphosis was written and produced by Alberto Scotti and directed by Ilaria Colavito, both of who are now working as Studio Assistants at Escape Studios.  

Animation was completed by Steven Lall, and Hélios Lyons did the sound design and composed the original music.  The project was overseen by Head of Animation Michael Davies. 

"Lighting for Animators" is Back on 26 Jan 2023

Steve Lall teaching at Escape Studios

Animation tutor Steve Lall is back on Thursday 26 January 2023 at to teach our 2nd year animation students the fundamentals of lighting animation in Arnold.

An understanding of lighting in Maya is a necessary part of the animation pipeline, and vital for the short films our students will make in PR5001, the 2nd year Studio Project Module which begins in 2022.

Steve will cover the fundamentals of lighting with Arnold, showing how our animators can achieve successful lighting setups with minimal complexity. We also have a series of videos on lighting at our Vimeo Channel to support the classroom instruction.

"Mechamorphosis" Wins Hon Mention in Tokyo

Mechamorphosis: Best VFX (Hon Mention) in Tokyo

Congratulations to the makers of "Mechamorphosis", which has won an Honourable Mention in the category of Best Visual Effects at the Tokyo International Film Festival.

Mechamorphosis was written and produced by Alberto Scotti and directed by Ilaria Colavito, both of who are now working as Studio Assistants at Escape Studios.  Animation was completed by Steven Lall, and Hélios Lyons did the sound design and composed the original music.  The project was overseen by Head of Animation Michael Davies. 

Meet Your Animation Tutors - Steven Lall

Steve Lall 

Meet your animation tutors - Steve Lall is one of our newest animation tutor at Escape Studios.  Steve has a decade of experience of working in advertising and animation, both 2D and 3D.

Steve Lall teaches AN4001 "Locomotion & Mechanics" to our first year animation students, and also 2D Animation in Toonboom Harmony to our second year animation students.

 Steve's broad animation skillset also includes graphic design, film editing, lighting & rendering, and also managing the motion capture pipeline. 

Steve Lall Teaches MoCap Tuesday 11 Jan

Motion Capture with Steven Lall

We're delighted to welcome back Escape Studios' Studio Assistant and occasional tutor Steven Lall, who will teach a class in Motion Capture Animation to our Second Year animation students at Escape Studios on Tuesday afternoon.  

Our second year students are tackling CR5001,  the Animation Specialism module, in which students begin to focus on one particular skillset within the animation pipeline.

Steve Lall "Lighting for Animators" Tues 7 Dec

Steve Lall teaching at Escape Studios

Studio Assistant Steve Lall is back on Tuesday 7 December at 9.30 am to teach our 2nd year animation students the fundamentals of lighting in animation.

An understanding of lighting in Maya is a necessary part of the animation pipeline, and vital for the short films our students will make in PR5001, the 2nd year Studio Project Module which begins in 2022.

Steve will cover the fundamentals of lighting with Arnold, showing how our animators can achieve successful lighting setups with minimal complexity.

We also have a series of videos on lighting at our Vimeo Channel to support the classroom instruction.

Steve Lall is Back Teaching MoCap on 5th Jan

Motion Capture with Steven Lall

We're delighted to welcome back Escapee Steven Lall, who will teach a class in Motion Capture Animation to our Second Year animation students at Escape Studios, 

The second year students are tackling CR5001,  the Animation Specialism module, in which students begin to focus on one particular skillset within the animation pipeline.

In this module we bring a variety of tutors in to the classroom to explore different parts of the animation process.

On 5th and 7th January our students will get a masterclass in Performance Capture animation, taught by our very own Studio Assistant Steven Lall.

Lighting For Animators with Steve Lall

Steve Lall teaching at Escape Studios

Studio Assistant Steve Lall will teach our 2nd year animation students the fundamentals of lighting in animation today.

A basic understanding of lighting setups is an important part of the animator's toolkit, and a necessary part of the short films our students will shortly be making in PR5001, the 2nd year Studio Project Module which begins in a few weeks.

Steve will cover the fundamentals of lighting with Arnold, showing how our animators can achieve successful lighting setups with minimal complexity.

We also have a series of videos on lighting at our Vimeo Channel to support the classroom instruction.

MoCap with Steve Lall on 14th January

Motion Capture with Steven Lall

Our Second Year animation students are back at Escape Studios, and will be soon be tackling their Animation Specialism module, in which students begin to focus on one particular aspect of the animation pipeline.

In this module we bring a variety of tutors in to the classroom to explore different parts of the animation pipeline.

On 14th and 15th January our students will get a masterclass in Performance Capture animation, taught by our very own Studio Assistant Steven Lall.

Drawing Club Returns with Simone Giampaolo

Drawing Club is back, with a special guest tutor.

On Tuesday 29th January at 4.30pm Escape Studios welcomes Aardman director Simone Giampaolo, who will be leading Tuesday's class.

Even if you can barely draw a stick figure - come along and get stuck in. Drawing club is for beginners as well as experts, so don't be shy.

Drawing Club Returns Tuesday Jan 15th

Drawing Club at Escape Studios

Drawing Club is returning to Escape Studios on Tuesday January 15th, starting off the year with a  class for absolute beginners.

Even if you can barely draw a stick figure - come along and get stuck in.

Our Studio Assistants, including Drawing Club supremo Steve Lall, will be on hand to lead the class, presenting drawing challenges such as quick gesture drawings to capture a fast pose.

Drawing club takes place on Tuesdays in the basement at 190 High Holborn from 4:30pm until 5:30pm. All are welcome.

Steve Lall Teaches Performance Capture

Steve Lall teaches MoCap at Escape Studios

Our Second year animation students are back at Escape Studios, and are now tackling their Animation Specialism module.

In this module we bring a variety of tutors in to the classroom to explore different parts of the animation pipeline.

Today and tomorrow our students will get a masterclass in Performance Capture animation, taught by our very own Studio Assistant Steven Lall.