Let's talk VFX

Andy Brassington from Escape Studios hosts Andrew Schlussel, Director, Global Talent Development at Framestore, on working from home - the challenges, opportunities, past, and future of working in visual effects from home.

15 April 2020

Victor Manuel Vera is our guest to discuss motivation. How do we stay motivated? What motivates artists? We talk about staying motivated in your career as well as the unique challenges of being motivated while working at home in lockdown.

22 April 2020

One of the best sources of inspiration is the natural world. It is also what we should be referring to in our digital creations. Our guest is Alastair Cross, lighting TD at Framestore.

We talk about where we draw inspiration from, and how we use reference in our work.

29 April 2020

Saint John Walker, Deputy Dean/Director of Escape Studios, joins us to discuss specialist vs. generalist. Should students focus on one skill, or should they try to do everything? How do you balance the two?

6 May 2020

Ahmed Gharraph, Joint Head of CG at Framestore, joins to discuss the use and growth of SideFX Houdini in visual effects.

13 May 2020

We discuss the differences and pros and cons of the experiences working in large and small studios in visual effects. Our guest is Lee Greatorex, 3D Generalist at One of Us. He is an educator too, and has great advice for students in general.

20 May 2020

Amy Smith, Head of Talent at Framestore, joins us to talk about what makes a successful demo reel. We’ll watch four demo reels of artists who got a job at Framestore, and Amy will explain what made them successful.

3 June 2020

This week we'll be discussing "Presenting to Employers." Andrew Schlussel will be interviewing Framestore's Senior Recruitment and Talent Manager Emma Leroy. Many students who are graduating are facing presenting to employers and companies, often for the first time. How do you put your best foot forward in these encounters? What are the dos and don'ts for an interview and how can you prepare? We'll be sharing advice about presenting your work online, and writing cover letters.

10 June 2020

Andrew Butler explains rigging in the Intergrated Advertising department at Framestore.

23 June 2020

Ben Kocic, Tracking Artist at Framestore, will talk to us about fitting in. Ben started as a runner, and during that time, he became well known and showed his value to the company. Students are very focused on getting their foot in the door of their first job, but what do you do once you're through the door? How do you network, build relationships, get a positive reputation, and make a name for yourself?

17 June 2020

This week we're joined by Ross Burgess, Framestore's Head of Animation, and Bruce MacKinnon, actor, writer, and comedian who has performed in hit television shows, movies, and the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. They have founded a school that teaches improv for animators. We'll learn about the value of improv for animators and their approach.

24 June 2020

Our guest is Quentin Miles, whose career has spanned 2D animation, feature animation, and visual effects animation in senior and supervisory roles. He also has taught animation, both in an academic environment, and as part of a training program within Framestore.

1 July 2020