ACCESS:VFX is a global, industry-led, non-profit comprised of 40 leading companies, industry bodies and educational establishments in the VFX, animation and games industries. It focuses on actively pursuing and encouraging inclusion, diversity, awareness and opportunity under its four pillars of Inspiration, Education, Mentoring and Recruitment.
ACCESS:VFX has united over 100 passionate people (many from competing companies) around the common goal of addressing the lack of diversity in the VFX industry. Together they have run more than 50 events and reached thousands of potential future employees of primary school age and above across the UK, US and Canada - working with organisations including We Are Stripes, Into Film and This Ability.
A team of Emmy winning creative artists, technicians, producers and problem solvers who use post-production as their toolbox. Working closely with clients in the advertising, film, TV and music industries, we provide a full-service post-production and VFX offering including high-end colour grading, 2D & 3D visual effects, shoot supervision, animation, design, direction and concept.
Glassworks is an award-winning independent creative studio with locations in Amsterdam, Barcelona, and London. We believe in craftsmanship, imagination and passion. Working with agility and calm determination, we offer the right talent, pioneer innovation, and collaborate with our clients to create work that takes the breath away.
Goodbye Kansas Studios offers award-winning and uniquely integrated services for feature films, TV series, commercials, games and game trailers. Expertise includes VFX, FX, CG productions, 3D Face & Body Scanning, Digital Humans, Creature & Character design, Performance Capture, Animation and RealTime expertise.
Coffee & TV is a creative studio of specialists who unlock the effect of visual. The team is made up of award-winning VFX artists, colourists, flame artists, animators, directors and designers. Since the company was set up by four of the industry’s renowned talents, Derek Moore, Phil Hurrell, Jon Trussler and Chris Chard in 2012, they have achieved substantial growth and boast an extensive creative portfolio of high end brand commercials, broadcast projects and music videos.
The National Film and Television School (NFTS) is one of the worlds leading film, games and television schools, developing some of the UK’s top creative talent. For the past 15 years, graduates emerging from the School’s unique Digital Effects MA course have made a huge impact within the VFX industry, innovating and becoming key creative leaders in the field.
Why NFTS is involved in Access:VFX
As the UK's national film and television school, the NFTS is passionate about finding, informing and inspiring a new generation of film, TV and games talent, wherever they may come from and whatever their means. We are committed to creating a more diverse and inclusive industry. Our work with Access:VFX will open the door to the opportunities and routes available for young people who may feel a job in the creative industries is currently not accessible to them.
About AnimDojo
AnimDojo’s mission is to further careers in the animation and VFX industry for everyone, regardless of your age, location, wealth or time availability. It is an online learning platform that is divided into “job-title-centric” rooms, each with a focus on networking, learning, practicing and employment. These are delivered through weekly livestreams from industry pros, proven learning and workout resources, creative challenges and live feedback sessions. All for the monthly cost of a few cups of coffee.
About Ghost VFX
Ghost VFX UK, formerly FarmFX, provides full visual effects, animation and motion graphics services for a wide range of high-end television and commercial clients. A talented and versatile team of VFX supervisors, producers, artists, animators and creatives who work across all our locations from London and Manchester to Los Angeles, and Copenhagen.
About Lexhag
Lexhag VFX is a boutique visual effects company founded in 2009 by Alexis Haggar based in Soho, London and Norwich, Norfolk. We specialise in both on-set vfx supervision and creating high-end 2D and 3D visual effects for drama and short form. Our focus is delivery, quality and customer service.
About Aardman Academy
Aardman, based in Bristol (UK) co-founded and run by Peter Lord and David Sproxton, is a world leader in animation. It produces feature films, series, advertising and digital entertainment for both the domestic and international market. Their multi-award winning productions are novel, entertaining, brilliantly characterised and full of charm that reflects the unique talent, energy and personal commitment of the very special people who make up the Aardman team. The studio’s work is often imitated and yet the company continues to lead the field producing a rare brand of visually stunning and amusing independent and commercials productions.
About BlueBolt
BlueBolt caters to the international film and television industry. We have the capacity to take on projects in their entirety as well as portions of work collaborating with other facilities around the world.
About Epic Games
Founded in 1991, Epic Games is the creator of Fortnite, Unreal, Gears of War, Shadow Complex, and the Infinity Blade series of games. Epic's Unreal Engine technology, which brings high-fidelity, interactive experiences to PC, console, mobile, AR, VR and the Web, is freely available at unrealengine.com. The Epic Games store offers a handpicked library of games, available at epicgames.com. Follow @EpicGames for updates.
The ‘Made in NY’ Post Production Training Program, a skills training and job readiness program created in 2017 by the NYC Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment, is offered to low-income and unemployed New Yorkers with a desire to enter the NYC Post Production Industry. Trainees selected to take part in the 5-week full-time course, at no cost to them, all have prior experience in Film, TV, or Media production and learn the basics of industry-standard software for editing, animation, and visual effects, as well as soft skills like inter-office communication, teamwork, and data management.
STUDIO AKA is a multi-BAFTA winning & Oscar-nominated independent animation studio & production company based in London. We're known internationally for our idiosyncratic & innovative work, expressed across an eclectic range of projects in short films, commercials and series animation. A close knit team that includes directors, designers, animators, writers, technical artists & producers, we create & consult on projects with a strong emphasis on Story, Design & Character.
London ACM SIGGRAPH is a non-profit organisation comprised of volunteers working in the computer graphics industry in London. As a
chapter of the ACM Special Interest Group on Computer Graphics (SIGGRAPH), our goal is to bring exciting relevant events to our local industry in London.
We are run by a dedicated team, all of whom work within the industry. We believe in free sharing of knowledge therefore all our events are free of charge for everyone.
Why we are involved with Access: VFX
Access VFX is an organisation that immediately resonated with the team here at Viridian. Their shared passion and willingness to provide a platform and education in order to expand awareness of the Visual Effects industry, is something Viridian are truly passionate about. As a small company in the North of England, we have a real sense of the need for an expanded network outside of London, and this is something we believe Access VFX has the power and impetuous to do. It was a no-brainer for us to get involved.
About Animated Women UK
AWUK exists to positively support, represent, celebrate and encourage women in the animation and VFX industries in the UK. They aim to change the gender landscape by building a vibrant network that facilitates mentoring, knowledge exchange and education resulting in women in animation and VFX fulfilling their potential.
Why we are involed with Access: VFX
AWUK is incredibly proud to be part of the VFX community that works with ACCESS:VFX, to help support the brilliant and much needed campaigns for a more Inclusive industry.
About Red Lorry Yellow Lorry
Headquartered in London and with offices in Berlin, Boston and Los Angeles, Red Lorry Yellow Lorry delivers public relations, marketing and customer experience services to some of the world’s most innovative companies. Its client list features b2b companies spanning the AI, blockchain, cybersecurity, enterprise IT, martech and media and entertainment sectors. Listed among PR Week’s top 15 tech PR agencies, the lorries run global campaigns through its four offices and global partner agency network. For media enquiries: accessvfx@rlyl.com
Why we are involved with ACCESS:VFX
ACCESS:VFX is not just ticking the diversity box but implementing practical initiatives and support to deliver long-lasting awareness and change. The lorries will provide strategic/branding advice, content development, social media and media relations expertise.
About FXhome:
FXhome has built one of the best VFX and editing tools in the industry. We are a community of artists who inspire and learn from each other. FXhome also produces image editing software, Imerge Pro, and visual effect plugins Ignite Pro.
Why FXhome are involved with Access:VFX
Our company has been built on a belief that everyone should have access to the tools they need, to tell the stories they want to share. Access:VFX is doing fantastic work to help fix these problems and we're proud to be on board.
Why Axis are involved with ACCESS: VFX
At Axis Studios we are passionate about wanting to find, inspire and nurture the talent of the future. In order to do this, it is important for us to bridge the gap between industry and education. We are going about this by continuing to build on relationships with many local schools, colleges, and universities which in turn has helped us implement a successful work experience and mentorship programme creating opportunities for entry-level roles. Our commitment to being involved in Access: VFX and collaborating with industry peers gives us more opportunity to get in front of local, diverse talent of the future and ensure more outreach and opportunity is provided to raise awareness of what is available within the animation CG industry in Scotland and the United Kingdom.
About Bait Studio
Bait Studio is a boutique visual effects and motion design studio based in Cardiff. We pride ourselves on our Story First approach, often working on smaller productions that allow us to collaborate closely with directors, across TV, film, advertising and music videos.
Why we are involved with ACCESS: VFX
As part of our continued commitment to diversity and inclusion. We feel strongly that our industry should be open to anyone and want to play our part in helping break down any perceived barriers to entry.
About Bluegfx
Bluegfx provides 3D software, hardware, content creation tools and services to some of the most exciting creative studios in the entertainment industry. We work with innovative and inspirational clients leading the way in games, design visualisation, whether tiny start-ups or established industry giants.
Why we involved with ACCESS: VFX
As reseller into the VFX industry, we feel we can provide an insight into the skills and technologies that are prevalent when people are looking for employment or general guidance.
Blue Zoo was founded in 2000 by Bournemouth University graduates Oli Hyatt, Adam Shaw and Tom Box and has gone on to become one of the UK’s leading animation studios, producing some of the most well-loved kids shows on TV, award-winning commercials, and animated short films renowned for vision and innovation. As well as winning a host of animation awards, Blue Zoo has twice won the BAFTA for Independent Production Company of The Year and is a proud winner of the 2019 Best Places to Work in TV survey by Broadcast and Best Companies Group.
Why are we involved in Access VFX
We believe that diversity and inclusion leads to more innovation, more opportunities for all, better access to talent, better business performance and a stronger, more creative industry.
About Carse & Waterman
We're are an indie animation & VFX studio. Frequently working with Paramount Pictures, Universal Pictures, Channel 4, BBC and ITV. In 2018 Carse & Waterman were chosen as one of Creative England’s top 50 creative companies.
Why we are involved with ACCESS: VFX
Closely with our local community, We try to inspire more creative thinking whilst looking to improve diversity and inclusion. We're continuously supporting and improving social mobility for disadvantaged individuals.
About Cinesite
Cinesite is an award-winning digital entertainment studio with over 25 years of experience in film, TV and streaming productions. We offer visual effects and feature animation services from our international studios and are one of the largest independent facilities in the world.
Why we're Involved with ACCESS: VFX
Discovering and encouraging talent is central to the success of Cinesite. Without inclusivity and diversity, we could lose out on finding future stars in under-represented groups. We are fully committed to equal opportunities.
About DNEG
We are DNEG, one of the world’s leading visual effects, animation and stereo conversion companies for feature film and television, with studios in London, Vancouver, Mumbai, Los Angeles, Chennai, Montréal, Chandigarh, Hyderabad and Goa.Since the opening of our first studio in London in 1998 we’ve always focused on building close working relationships with filmmakers. We thrive on collaboration and the creative energy this provides, and we are dedicated to delivering excellence on every project we are involved with.
Why are we involved with Access: VFX
We want to ensure we're doing everything we can to open opportunities and to welcome people from all diverse backgrounds and circumstances to DNEG. By working with Access:VFX, we can play our part in supporting the change we need to see in our industry. DNEG is proud to foster an environment where everyone can be themselves.
About ETC
We are Electric Theatre Collective, and we produce award-winning visual effects. Our London and LA-based studios encompass a wealth of talent across all disciplines of visual creativity, CGI, 2D, animation and colour grading. Now into our seventh year, we have grown from a team of four into an innovative collective of artists, makers and agitators, celebrating technology and diversity, empowered by industry-leading software.
Why ETC is involved with ACCESS: VFX
Electric are involved in Access:VFX because for too long, the visual effects industry has felt closed & exclusive to too many. As a company dedicated to creativity in the visual realm, we hope our participation in A:VFX will help expose the incredible work artists across the industry do, to fresh eyes and inspire the next generation of talent.
About Escape Technology
Visual effects is one of the most exciting industries in the country right now. And yet, it's not as open to young people as perhaps it could be. Born out of Escape Studios, we've been training graduates, supporting post production houses, and equipping studios for over ten years and are proud that we can extend that help to people coming into this community - or even showing that it's a great part of your future.
About Escape Studios
From VFX to Game Art, Animation to Motion Graphics, Escape Studios is recognised as a first-class education provider for the creative industries. Industry engagement is at the core of everything that we do.
Why Escape Studios is involved with ACCESS: VFX
We're involved with Access:VFX because we’re committed to promoting diversity and inclusion within the other companies that Access:VFX works with. Everyone should have a voice and be involved in conversations that affect them and their careers.
About Fix FX
FixFX is a VFX outsource facility based in Scotland specialising in prep and comp work for film and tv productions. We have built a strong reputation working for the UK broadcasters, independent film sector and streamers.
Why Fix FX is involved with ACCESS: VFX
FixFX is committed to creating lasting employment with fair pay and equal opportunities. Our involvement with Access VFX is a reflection of the importance we put by inclusion and diversity. We have also worked with Creative Scotland to create opportunities in vfx for people from a wide variety of backgrounds and experience and embrace anyone keen to find out more about a career in VFX in Scotland and beyond.
About Foundry:
Foundry develops creative software for the Digital Design, Media and Entertainment industries. With a 20-year heritage and a portfolio of award-winning products, Foundry advances the art and technology of visual experience in partnership with creative leaders around the globe.
Why we are involved with ACCESS: VFX
Early access to mentors and educational resources are essential for the development of artists emerging in our industry. We are committed to supporting this initiative, whether it's through free or discounted software.
About Framestore:
Known for our visual effects, we have created incredible scenes for major Hollywood pictures, collecting every major award along the way. Framestore is home to a vast talent pool of 1800+, incorporating artists, producers, engineers and creatives.
Why Framestore are involved in Access:VFX:
For us Access:VFX is all about promoting our industry to those who might otherwise not know we exist, those who don't have networks or routes in to the industry or those who might be told that being creative isn't a proper job!
About Industrial Light & Magic
ILM is the leading effects facility in the world. The company serves the motion picture, commercial production, television, and attraction industries and has created visual effects for over 400 feature films.
Why we're involved with ACCESS: VFX
The artists that staff these departments represent the true brain trust at ILM, and their creativity has driven new technologies into the movie moments that continue to thrill and transport audiences globally.
About Into Film
Into Film is an education charity that puts film at the heart of children and young people’s educational, cultural and personal development. Over half of UK schools engage with our programme Into Film Clubs, cinema screenings, and resources and training to support classroom teaching.
Why Into Film are involved with ACCESS: VFX
We value the work of Access VFX in opening up opportunities and creating awareness around careers in the VFX industries. Our vision is to ensure young people from all backgrounds can hear about career opportunities.
About Jellyfish Pictures
Jellyfish Pictures creates award-winning visual effects and animation for the advertising, film and television industries. Founded in 2001, Jellyfish Pictures has grown into an internationally recognised operation with over 200 employees working across five studios. Jellyfish has won an EMMY, a BAFTA for Best Visual Effects, two Royal Television Society Awards, two highly sought after Visual Effects Society (VES) Awards, as well as many other accolades including two PRIMETIME EMMY nominations.
Why are we involved with Access: VFX
For the VFX and animation industry to thrive we must celebrate our differences. Access: VFX provides that platform, bringing together a community of studios and vendors in a shared pursuit of raising awareness of inclusion and diversity in the industry.
About The LightForge Academy
LightForge Academy is a new, dedicated learning environment for creative industries graduates. It is industry focused and led and its ambition is to work closely with its graduates and help them to find jobs in their chosen sector be that VFX, gaming, film, TV or mixed reality. Our courses respond directly to industry skills requirements and bridge the gap between academic learning and working life by nurturing individuals.
Why we are involved with ACCESS: VFX
As a training facility passionate about developing creative talent The LightForge Academy believes that diversity is key to creative inspiration. LightForge will strive to meet the skills gap across the film, television and immersive content sector to become a bridge to the creative industries and will attract talent from truly diverse backgrounds to achieve this.
About Milk Visual Effects
Academy, Emmy and BAFTA Award-winning visual effects studio Milk Visual Effects creates innovative and complex sequences for the high-end television and feature films with a range of credits such as Baltasar Kormakur’s Adrift; Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them (Warner Bros.) and YouTube’s 2018 sci-fi thriller Origin - for which Milk created 926 VFX shots. Milk was founded by a small team of VFX supervisors and producers in 2013 and has won multiple awards for its creative work.
Why is Milk involved with Access VFX
Our commitment to inclusion and diversity in the VFX industry is very important to us. We ensure that everyone is aware of the opportunities to work in VFX whatever their background and that we harness the talent of new generations of VFX practitioners.
About MPC
The Moving Picture Company (MPC) is a global creative studio with a single goal: to create experiences that move people. With decades of storytelling experience, they are perpetually pushing the limits of what is technologically and artistically possible to tell visually stunning stories. MPC continues to lead in an ever-evolving industry, building authentic and long-lasting connections with audiences across all channels.
Why MPC is involved with ACCESS: VFX
At MPC we recognise the positive impact that inclusion and diversity will have on our working environment and the industry as a whole. Being part of ACCESS VFX is a collective acknowledgement of efforts needed to bring about change, and most importantly a big step forward in actually making it happen!
About Moving Picture Company
The Moving Picture Company (MPC) is a global creative studio with a single goal: to create experiences that move people. With decades of storytelling experience, they are perpetually pushing the limits of what is technologically and artistically possible to tell visually stunning stories. MPC continues to lead in an ever-evolving industry, building authentic and long-lasting connections with audiences across all channels.
MPC & ACCESS VFX
At MPC we recognise the positive impact that inclusion and diversity will have on our working environment and the industry as a whole. Being part of ACCESS VFX is a collective acknowledgement of efforts needed to bring about change, and most importantly a big step forward in actually making it happen!
About Moonraker
We are a VFX studio set up and run by a team of passionate and creative VFX specialists with boundless enthusiasm and years of experience. Established in Bristol in 2013, Moonraker, has built a strong local and international reputation with producers and broadcasters creating award winning visual effects content for Television, Film, Commercials and Museums
Why we're involved with ACCESS: VFX
We are proud to be part of Access VFX promoting inclusion and diversity in the VFX industry.
About NextGen
We bring industry and education together. Our courses have been developed in partnership with some of the biggest companies in these industries. NextGen courses are available at industry selected colleges across England and along with the industry written curriculum.
Why NextGen are involved with ACCESS: VFX
Films, Games and every type of media are enjoyed by people of all ages, genders and backgrounds.Working with Access:VFX does not only highlight career opportunities, but signpost practical next steps to diverse groups.
About Norwich University of the Arts
NUA is a specialist arts university with degree courses in VFX, Animation and Games Art. Since 1845, our outlook is forward-thinking. Our approach to teaching saw us awarded Gold under the government’s Teaching Excellence Framework.
Why we are involved with ACCESS: VFX
Pockets of low opportunity and high levels of unemployment we recognise the need to widen participation in higher education to gain high value skills. NUA’s courses are based around deep industry practice and fostering collaboration.
About Open Cinema
Open Cinema is an award-winning social enterprise, which enables any community to have a cinema or make a film. We collaborate with support organisations, corporates, universities and government departments to create pathways into education and employment.
Why we are involved with ACCESS: VFX
Since 2017 Open Cinema has worked with Access: VFX to connect excluded individuals and communities with the expertise and opportunities of the VFX and animation sectors. Like them, we know that talent is evenly distributed.
About Outpost
Outpost is a VFX team built on a foundation of getting the right people and offering them a balanced and supportive environment to work in, which empowers us to deliver astonishing visual effects for film, high-end TV and creative projects.
Why Outpost are involved with ACCESS: VFX
Creating a supportive, inclusive workplace is very much in the DNA of Outpost, and we’re thrilled to be taking this core part of our company values into ACCESS: VFX. It's incredible to be a member of a cross-company global initiative like ACCESS: VFX, as it means that we can lend our voices and expertise to improving diversity, inclusion and awareness in the VFX, animation and creative industries, and help to drive the changing conversation.
About Prospela
Prospela is a professional network for school & university students, giving them on-demand access to real employee E-mentors for career discovery, inspiration, and action planning.
Why Prospela are involved with ACCESS: VFX
We're super proud to partner with AVFX, who share our passion for connecting aspiring creatives and future visual effects talent from all walks of life to those already in industry across the largest pool of award-winning VFX and animation studios in the World.
About Technicolor VFX
Technicolor VFX is a full service VFX studio, offering the best of both worlds, we can work as standalone VFX creatives, or in collaboration with our Technicolor Post family to support creative visions from script to screen. With creative VFX teams located in London, Toronto and Los Angeles, Technicolor VFX global in scale but local in feel.
About Territory Studio
Territory Studio is a creative specialist with a unique approach to motion design and visual effects. Working across diverse projects from features films to episodic formats, the team’s passion for story and designer’s eye for problem solving informs the studio’s approach to art department and visual effects briefs.
Why we’re involved with Access: VFX
With growing studios in London and San Francisco, we believe in the value of a diverse team and are committed to supporting initiatives that nurture talent in our industry.
About The Third Floor
The Third Floor is a creative-led, visualization company. Founded by artists for artists. We are expert story-makers and technicians. We offer new solutions and methods to aid creativity using the latest and emerging technology. We specialize in bringing our client’s vision to life in 2D and 3D animations and environments.
Why The Third Floor are involved with ACCESS: VFX
We are committed to Access VFX because it enables us to collaborate with our industry partners. It's a real pleasure to help contribute to the wider community and taking part in events where we meet people from all types of backgrounds. With Access VFX we offer them insights and opportunities for working and gaining experience within our industry.
The Mill
The Mill is a content creation studio collaborating on visual effects, digital and design projects for the advertising, games and music industries. At its centre, The Mill is a creative culture of talented artists from multinational and homegrown backgrounds, nurturing innovation, flexibility and diverse ideas, enabling us to offer creative solutions across our studios in London, New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Bangalore.
Why The Mill are involved with ACCESS: VFX
The Mill are committed to improving diversity through a number of internal and external initiatives and believe that as a creative culture it is vital to create an environment where different perspectives can flourish. ACCESS: VFX has proven to be a meaningful initiative to be part of that supports this and takes action.
About UK Screen
The UK Screen Alliance in partnership with Animation UK is the trade association that represents companies involved in animation, post-production, VFX, physical special effects, audio, camera and lighting hire, freelance talent agencies, and TV & film studios. We proactively raise issues, drive the debate and lobby to influence Government.
Why UK Screen is involved with ACCESS: VFX
UK Screen Alliance are one of the founding partners in Access: VFX. We are committed to encouraging equality, diversity, and inclusion in all our member companies, and within the wider screen industry. We work closely with stakeholders in UK Government, Public Sector Broadcasters and OFCOM, as well as other creative sector agencies and trade organisations.
About UNIT
We are UNIT, London’s largest independently owned creative studio. Our key value is creative excellence. We believe in breaking boundaries between disciplines. We can offer the very best in VFX, CGI, Design, Grade, Offline, Audio, Sound and Print capabilities across Commercials, Broadcast, Film and TV. The team of VFX and CG artists, designers, producers, colourists and sound designers that are at the heart of UNIT all ensure that their client partners are made to feel welcome from start to finish on every project.
Why UNIT is involved with ACCESS: VFX
At UNIT we are passionate about diversity and inclusion and making the important changes that are needed to represent as many voices as possible. Creating a culture and environment where talent can be nurtured and thrive is key.
About Union
Union is an independent VFX studio founded on a culture of originality, innovation and collaboration. Exceptional supervisors, producers and artists share their experience and passion for filmmaking to produce imaginative solutions and outstanding creative results.
Why we are involved with ACCESS: VFX
We are advocates for encouraging inclusion, diversity, awareness and opportunity within the VFX industry and are proactively working to change the balance within our own studio. We actively support industry initiatives.
About We Are Stripes
WeAreStripes aims to address the ethnic diversity imbalance in the creative industry, starting with the creative advertising sub-sector. We create and increase opportunities for individuals from BAME backgrounds with entry in to the industry and support with career progression. We showcase ethnic diverse talent, role models and their work via intergenerational and interdisciplinary panel speakers, at events, university career fairs, judging panels, content such as videos and articles, distributed to the right places.
Why we are involved with ACCESS: VFX
Instead of trying to solve every problem we act as connectors to the many various organisations which work in the D&I for real and lasting change. With a 15k reach with our partners and supports and 80% of our mentors are from a ethnic diverse background.
Amy has been working in talent related roles within the visual effects industry for over fifteen years, in both the UK and Canada. In each role she has had responsibility for working with schools, colleges and universities to provide careers guidance and support educators with content. She is a non-executive Director of Access:VFX, an industry organisation working to improve the diversity of the visual effects industry. She is also part of the steering group of the Next Gen Skills Academy who, with industry, launched a Level 3 Diploma in Games, Animation and VFX Skills and she took responsibility for working with NextGen to launch the two VFX Trailblazer Apprenticeships. Recently Amy has been appointed as Chair of the T-Level panel for Media, Broadcast and Production. The panel will be responsible for providing an employer perspective on the post-16 education landscape.
Anne has been producing for over a decade and brings experience in various areas of the creative industry from advertising, immersive content, now focusing on VFX in recent years. She is passionate about building strong relationships both with clients and her team, working to get the best out of everyone whilst serving wholeheartedly. Currently VFX Producer and TV Central Production Manager at DNEG, Anne believes in the power of storytelling and is a big advocate of inclusion in every level of the business and the creative process.
Daniel Waterman is Founder and Company Director of Carse & Waterman Productions, as well as a Regional Lead for Access VFX.Carse & Waterman Productions was created in 2009 & based in Stoke-on-Trent. The company's first project was ‘Warriors Dance’, a music video for The Prodigy. They have since provided Visual Effects and Animation on a wide selection of films & TV shows such as ‘Keith and Paddy's Picture Show’, ‘Inside No. 9’, ‘Famalam’ & Noel Clarke's ‘Brotherhood’. Working with Access VFX, Daniel is excited to introduce people from every walk of life & every corner of the UK to our industry. He wishes to show why he and so many others love working in VFX and Animation.
Neil Hatton is Chief Executive of the UK Screen Alliance/Animation UK, the trade association representing in companies working in Visual Effects, Animation, Audio & Video Post-Production, Special Effects, and Freelance Editor Agencies as well as Film & TV production studios. Neil’s role is primarily lobbying government and its agencies to improve and optimise the business environment for UK Screen’s members. A particular focus is the skills pipeline and ensuring that we build a home-grown workforce in the most inclusive way by opening up awareness of the opportunities and the pathways to access them. Neil chairs the Creative Industries Council sub-group on apprenticeships and T-Levels. He participates in ScreenSkills’ High-End TV Council, The BFC’s National Advisory Board as well as BFI steering groups. For more than 20 years, he worked at MD/CEO or owner level within post production houses in Soho like Frontier Post and Azimuth.
Nene is an Executive Creative and Art Director having worked in the creative advertising industry for the past 15 years. She has worked brands such as Wall Street Journal, Disney, L’Oréal, HP, Warner Bros, Jaguar, Pepsi, Pizza Hut, Visa, Samsung and Vodaphone amongst many others. Her experience crosses both agency and client side including Digitas, Dare, MC Saatchi, JWT, Wunderman, BBDO and Adam&EveDDB. Nene now runs VINE Creatives, a visual communication, brand strategy and investment agency; which works for and with scale-ups, entrepreneurs and businesses run by the Afro-Caribbean diaspora and with companies with an African focus. Projects include facilitating the entry of photographer Simon Fredrick’s Black is the new Black series of portraits into the National Portrait Gallery. The first exhibition of its kind in the gallery’s history. Building the creative team for the Black Panther “hero in us all” children’s photoshoot which went viral reaching the film’s director Ryan Coogler during his promotional visit to the BFI.
With over 17 years creative industry experience having previously worked as part of talent and learning teams in commercial radio, television, visual effects and games, Simon dedicates his time to both his current role at Framestore and as Founder and Director of ACCESS: VFX.
As Co-founder of Blue Zoo, Tom has overseen the company grow over 20 years to become one of the largest animation production studios in Europe. He continues to be a driving force throughout the company, working as an executive creative within the commercials, games and shorts teams. He also manages Blue Zoo’s AnimDojo online training initiative, as well as being Chair of the ScreenSkills Animation Skills Council, and sitting on the board of NextGen Skills Academy.
Kathleen Ruffalo is the Recruitment Manager for Framestore’s US offices in New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago. She joined Framestore in 2012 with years of live-action production experience and has since developed a deep understanding of the VFX industry, playing a key role in growing the creativity and culture within Framestore from the ground up. Through the years, Kathleen has been passionate about mentorship and inclusion, always aspiring to nurture and foster the next generation of diverse talent within the visual effects industry.
Philipp is a VFX Executive Producer at DNEG Montreal with an impressive line of projects spanning over more than a decade in the industry. He has established relationships with numerous directors through his role as a VFX Producer, collaborating with Guy Ritchie on ‘King Arthur: Legend of the Sword’, David Yates on ‘The Legend of Tarzan’ and with Shane Black on 20th Century Fox’s ‘The Predator’. After working on numerous shorts as a producer and winning a multitude of awards all over the globe, Philipp broke into the world of television, working on HBO’s multi award-winning ‘Game of Thrones’ series. He has since carried this role through to feature film, working on projects such as ‘Godzilla: King of the Monsters’(2019), ‘Ghost in The Shell’ (2017), ‘Furious 7’ (2015) and ‘Exodus: Gods and Kings’ (2015) to name a few.
Sam is a lawyer and works as the Immigration Manager for DNEG's Canadian studios in Montreal and Vancouver. She currently leads DNEG's Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion employee group in Montreal. Sam loves how multicultural the VFX industry is, but would like to see more diversity in senior creative roles. With the exponential growth of the VFX and gaming industries in Montreal, she's excited at the prospect of fostering a greater sense of community, collaboration, and support within the industry.
A graduate of Sarah Lawrence College, Cat Gulácsy has maintained an exciting 10 year career in the VFX community, where she began as a runner, or Client Services Associate, at The Mill New York. From there, her role quickly expanded into that of Creative Resource Management/Operations. A passionate advocate for people and mentorship, over the recent years her role has evolved into that of Talent Management and Outreach, where she works with high schools and universities to help introduce the myriad of career paths into the world of post production.
While recruiting for several highly recognized studios both on the West and East Coasts, Cat is also an Adjunct Professor for the School of Visual Arts where, for the past three years, she has been teaching The Business of Being An Artist to senior computer arts students.