"Sparky" Wins "Best Indie Short" at Milan Awards

"Sparky" wins 'Best Indie Narrative Short" in Milan

Many congratulations to the makers of the VFX short "Sparky", which has won 'Best Indie Narrative Short" at the Milan Gold Awards. 

"Sparky" was a collaboration between students studying the Art of Computer Animation and the Art of Visual Effects.  Rae Silapasoonthorn was the  writer, director and producer.  

Sebastian Armstrong stars as the gamer.  You can watch Sparky at Vimeo here.  This is its first festival award. 

Taku Kishimoto and The Art of Writing for Anime

Taku Kishimoto and the Art of Writing for Anime

Last week in Tokyo our animation students were introduced to The Art of Writing for Anime by writer Taku Kishimoto.

What is the job of a writer for anime and manga? Japanese screenwriters write original stories, working with the director and producer to come up with new material for TV and movies.  

Anime stories have a certain structure; successful writers for anime learn to follow this structure, but at the same time they must find originality and invention within this framework.

"An Evening With..." Grant Orchard 7 October 2026

Grant Orchard introduces Hey Duggee on 7 October

We're delighted to welcome Grant Orchard, the Oscar-nominated creator of "Hey Duggee" to our next "Evening With..." event at Escape Studios on Wednesday 7 October at 5.30pm. 

Grant Orchard will talk about his career in animation and especially about how he created the award-winning TV Series "Hey Duggee", first broadcast in 2014.

This "Evening With..." event is open to all our currently enrolled students. 

Welcome to Escape Studios!

Today is the start of Welcome Week! And we're extending a very warm welcome to all our new undergraduate students at Escape Studios.

Teaching starts next week on Monday 21st September - you can find the full 2026-27 Term Dates here. 

Classes take place in person at our North Greenwich Campus at 6 Mitre Passage. 

In addition to classroom teaching, we have plenty of other resources (especially online) to help our students to learn the art and craft of animation, games, visual effects, concept art, character creation and motion graphics. 

We also have a Vimeo and Panopto Tutorial Channel which is exclusively for our students and recent Escapees.

Kazuyoshi Takeuchi and The Art of Character Design

Character Designer Kazuyoshi Takeuchi

This past week in Tokyo Japanese animator and character designer Kazuyoshi Takeuchi introduced the art of Japanese character design to our animation students, who have been studying in Tokyo, learning about manga, anime and Japanese animation techniques. 

Kazuyoshi Takeuchi has over 75 animation credits to his name, including the legendary "Akira", which was the foundational moment of his career.  He described it as "a great honour" to work with Akira director Katsuhiro Otomo. 

Escapee Allie Maraqan Joins ILM

Allie Maraqan joins ILM as a paint & roto artist

Many congratulations to Escapee Allie Maraqan who is joining Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) as a paint and roto artist.  

Allie Maraqan studied the Art of VFX at Escape Studios, specialising in 2D Compositing.   While at Escape Studios, Allie Maraqan worked on the award-winning short film "Protose" as a compositor. 

Hikaru Yajima Introduces The Art of Manga

Manga artist Hikaru Yajima and Baton no Hoshi

This week in Tokyo professional manga artist Hikaru Yajima introduced the art of manga to our animation students, who have been studying at Digital Hollywood University in Tokyo.

Manga forms much of the source material for Japanese anime, part of what gives Japanese animation its unique character and flavour.

In this interactive workshop our students had the opportunity to draw their own manga panels, with a theme set by Hikaru Yajima.

"An Evening With..." Fabrizio Arzani on 15 Oct 2026

Calling all Escape Studios students - come and join us on a journey to Pandora on October 15th for "An Evening With..." Fabrizio Arzani, lead VAD (Virtual Art Development) artist on "Avatar Fire & Ash". 

Fabrizio Arzani is a visual effects artist who has worked on multiple VFX hits, including James Cameron's 2025 blockbuster movie Avatar Fire & Ash, which won the Oscar this year for Best VFX. 

This event with WETA Digital's Fabrizio Arzani takes place online via zoom, and is open to all our currently enrolled students at Escape Studios. 

Where and When 

Online via Zoom at 6pm on Thursday 15th October. 

Shirotomo Aizawa: Japanese Art, History & Culture

Shirotomo Aizawa on Japanese Art

Today in Tokyo the composer and multimedia creator Shirotomo Aizawa introduced our animation students (who are currently studying anime and manga in Tokyo) to Japanese history, art and culture.  

Shirotomo Aizawa explained that Japanese culture was historically influenced by China, but grew and developed to have its own unique cultural identity. 

The origins of manga and anime can be found in Japan's unique cultural history and identity. 

Keisuke Mori and The Art of Acting for Anime

Japanese anime voice actor Keisuke Mori 

Japanese anime voice actor Keisuke Mori talked to our animation students in Tokyo this morning about his career performing voice overs for Japanese anime.   His credits include the 2018 movie Mirai.

Voice actors have to have to be able to perform a wide range of voices in order to do multiple characters. Vocal range is the key, the ability to perform in multiple different voices and styles.

Keisuke Mori explained that his voice is an instrument, one that he has learned to play over many years of practice working in anime. 

Escape Studios Shortlisted for 2026 THE Award

Escape Studios shortlisted for "Specialist Institution of the Year"

We're delighted that Escape Studios has been shortlisted in the category of "Specialist Institution of the Year" at the 2026 Times Higher Education (THE) Awards. 

We're honoured to be on the THE's shortlist of excellent institutions, reflecting all the hard work done over the past year by our students and staff. 

Highly Commended - "Resident Evil: Estate Escape"

Many congratulations to our Second Year Games Students at Escape Studios whose entry "Resident Evil: Estate Escape" in the Game of The Year: Immersive Media category has been "Highly Commended" at 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 such as The Rookies can be a crucial step toward launching a successful career.

Set within a neglected and decaying estate, Resident Evil: Estate Escape challenges players to investigate their surroundings, interpret clues, and overcome a series of puzzles in pursuit of freedom.

Mitsunori Murata, "Akira" and Japanese Animation

Mitsunori Murata 

Today in Tokyo Escape Studios' animators learned from master animator Mitsunori Murata about the process of making animated films in Japan. 

Mitsunori Murata has worked on over 50 Japanese animation films including the legendary "Akira", released in 1988, and Ghost in The Shell. 

How are animated films made in Japan? The answer is that the process is fundamentally very similar to how things are done in the west, but with some unique Japanese features. 

"Sunset Ecstasy" Wins "Best Trailer" at Rohip Fest

"Sunset Ecstasy" wins "Best Trailer" at the Rohip Film Fest 

Congratulations to the makers of  "Sunset Ecstasy" which has won "Best Trailer" at the Rohip Film Festival. 

"Sunset Ecstasy" was a collaboration between students studying the Art of Video Games and The Art of Computer Animation.  

Sunset Ecstasy was produced by Kye-Takeuchi Brown. Leony Ye was the art director.  

You can find Sunset Ecstasy here at Vimeo. This is its first festival award. 

Amedeo Beretta, Capcom & "EscapeVerse Japan"

Amedeo Beretta will visit us from Capcom in Osaka 

We're delighted to welcome former Escape Studios' animation tutor Amedeo Beretta, who will join us in Tokyo at Digital Hollywood University on Tuesday 8th September for a talk about his experience living and working at Capcom in Osaka, Japan. 

Escape Studios' Student Handbook

Escape Studios' Student Handbook 2026-27

For all our new students starting with us in September at Escape Studios - as well as our returning students - The Escape Studios' Student Handbook contains the ultimate source of truth for everything that goes on at Escape Studios.  

Download the Student Handbook to find out about our Facilities, Timetables and Term Dates, The Student Portal, Assessments, Academic Resources and Support, Degree Structure, Extra Support, Personal Development, and much else besides. 

The Student Handbook is your first stop to find out how Escape Studios works, and what you can expect from your studies with us.  To download The Student Handbook, follow this link. 

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. 

Private View of Project Hail Mary & Framestore Q&A

Project Hail Mary 17 Sept 2026 at 4.15pm 

Calling our new and returning students at Escape Studios - please join us on Thursday 17th September at 4.15pm for a Private Screening and Behind-The-Scenes Talk of "Project Hail Mary", with Framestore Animation Supervisor Daniel Blacker. 

The screening will be at the Cineworld O2, just a short walk from our North Greenwich campus.  The event costs just £2.50 and is open only to currently enrolled students at Escape Studios. 

Matthew Bellamy's "Adrift" Wins "Rookies" Challenge

Matthew Bellamy winner at The Rookies

Many congratulations to Escapee Matthew Bellamy whose submission "Adrift" has won the monthly "Gravity Challenge" at The Rookies.

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

Matthew Bellamy's Adrift was inspired by the feature film "Project Hail Mary". 

For our students and Escapees, showcasing your work in a competitive, professional environment such as The Rookies can be a crucial step toward launching a successful career.  

Escape Studios Goes to Tokyo

Escape Studios' Animation Students are Heading to Tokyo

This Saturday September 5th twenty one Escape Studios' animation students are heading to Tokyo, to learn more about manga, anime and Japanese animation techniques. 

Our animation students will be attending classes and workshops in Manga and Anime at Digital Hollywood University in central Tokyo.  We're delighted to be able to organise this unique experience for our students. 

"Escape The Rapture" Wins People's Choice at Rookies

Many congratulations to the makers of "Escape The Rapture" which has won a "People’s Choice Award" in the Immersive Media Games category at the 2026 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 such as The Rookies can be a crucial step toward launching a successful career.

You can find "Escape The Rapture"  at the Rookies here: https://lnkd.in/ecjJKABU.