VFX Students and Escapees: Meeet Will Hughes, Talent Development Manager at Escape Studios

Will Hughes (4th from right) with Escapees at BlueBolt VFX

Will Hughes is the Talent Development Manager at Escape Studios. One of Will‘s key roles is to meet with our students, recent graduates and Escapees to help them to establish their careers in the animation, games and vfx industries.

At a time of anxiety about opportunities in the creative industries, we asked Will to tell us about his work and what, exactly, he does to support our students and Escapees.

You are the Talent Development Manager at Escape Studios. What does that mean exactly?

Will Hughes

My mission is to help artists achieve the desire that necessitated them coming to Escape Studios. It could be getting into a dream studio, working on a specific IP, starting a new company or even having a chapter abroad.

Whatever it is, the combination of their talents and goals are unique, and it is my job to help them plan and prepare for achieving it.

How can our students get help finding work in the animation and vfx industries?
Whilst they’re at Escape, they can (and should) attend our events, take part in REEL Life Projects, book a one-on-one coaching session with me via Calendly and also check out the exclusive gigs on our discord server. We also have a collection of useful guides – each one the culmination of hundreds of mentee successes.

What are the opportunities and challenges right now?

REEL Talk events at Escape Studios

Anecdotally, I’ve noticed there’s more opportunities for grads / entrants into the industry than there were a couple of years ago, but entry level opportunities remain very competitive.

What advice would you offer to recent Escapees on how to find work?
The first place a new job will be posted is on the careers page of a studio (and there are services that’ll send you a message when the page is updated). Secondly look at LinkedIn. Thirdly, reposts on Linkedin.

Many jobs are never advertised – it’s far easier and cheaper to ask people in your network for talent than posting it online, interviewing, etc. So, network more! Attend studio-hosted webinars (they’ll plug them on linkedin) and attend phyiscal events – 3D London, Access:VFX and Siggraph spring to mind. Look up your craft on eventbrite and meetup. Get connected!

Jobs Resources at Escape Studios

We have many resources available at Escape Studios aimed at helping our students to develop their skills and find work in the animation industry.

Animation by Akasha Devlin