Skillset showcase next generation of UK animation talent
15 July 2011
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Skillset brought the best and brightest of the UK's animation students together at the annual Animation Showcase in London on 14 July. |
Skillset brought the best and brightest of the UK's animation students together with representatives from the VFX and animation industries at the annual Animation Showcase in London on 14 July.
The day-long event featured talks from renowned storyboard artist Christian DeVita, whose credits include Fantastic Mr Fox and Tim Burton's upcoming release Frankenweenie, and producer of TV hit Rastamouse, Greg Boardman. The founders of top animation company Blue Zoo also presented a retrospective of their last ten years, sharing tips on starting a business with the assembled graduates.
The Showcase itself gave employers the chance to see the work of some of the UK's top animation students. These students are all from Skillset-accredited animation courses, which are centres of excellence that provide the most cutting-edge, industry-relevant training available.
Skillset's animation manager, Saint John Walker, said: "This event is a brilliant way to connect our industry with the talent that is emerging from the Skillset-accredited animation courses. It is also a fantastic opportunity for the industry to come together to network and reflect on the key innovations that will change the way they do business in the future."
There was also a speed networking event, and a mentoring session with CGCoach's Alwyn Hunt who introduced 50 lucky Skillset Media Academy students to the online coaching system that they will be using over the next year to improve their VFX work thanks to the help of Skillset.
Bournemouth Skillset Media Academy was awarded Media Academy status by Skillset in 2008. The Academy is a partnership between the Arts University College at Bournemouth and Bournemouth University's Media School. The largest centre of professional higher education for the film and media industries in the UK, it offers some of the world's finest education and training in the disciplines of practical creative media. Bournemouth's reputation reaches across the planet with alumni winning the very highest accolades in film and media including BAFTAs, Oscars and Emmys.
