This week on The ACCESS:VFX Podcast, we're asking a simple question: Why does nobody talk about advertising VFX? When people think about careers in VFX and animation, they usually picture blockbuster films, episodic television or games. But some of the most innovative visual effects, animation and creative technology work is happening in advertising, and it's a career path that rarely gets the attention it deserves. Joining Simon Devereux and co-host Nene Parsotam is a panel of experts spanning animation production, creative technology, CG, robotics and commercial creativity. Together, they unpack the biggest misconceptions about advertising, explore how storytelling changes when you only have seconds to capture an audience's attention, and discuss why commercial work demands just as much creativity, technical excellence and collaboration as film and episodic production. The conversation also dives into the rapid pace of advertising, the growing role of AI, the crossover of skills between industries, and why careers in branded content and commercial production offer exciting opportunities for artists, producers and technologists alike. Whether you're already working in VFX and animation, considering a move into advertising, or simply curious about how brands create the campaigns we see every day, this episode offers an honest, behind-the-scenes look at a creative industry that's often overlooked, but full of opportunity. Featuring Amy Ashton (Freelance Animation Producer and Co-founder of BlackFrame), Tristan Ramsay (Founder and Creative Director of Frantic), Ethan Francis (CG Artist at Black Kite and Co-founder of CG101), Razik Darji (Creative Technologist at VML and Adobe Creative Ambassador), and Eunah Lee (Robotics, Cinematography and Creative Technologist at WPP), bringing perspectives from across commercial production, creative technology, animation and visual effects.

If VFX Doesn't Work Out... What Else Can These Skills Do? What if the skills you've built in VFX, animation or games were never limited to those industries in the first place? In this episode, Simon Devereux and Nene Parsotam are joined by an international panel of artists, producers, educators, recruiters and entrepreneurs to explore why creative skills are more transferable than ever. From healthcare and architecture to automotive, property, education and digital experiences, the conversation reveals just how many opportunities exist beyond film and television. The panel discusses career pivots, transferable skills, storytelling, networking, personal branding, confidence, multiple income streams and why the idea of a single, linear career is becoming increasingly outdated. Featuring Alannah Belanger from Untold Studios, Tom Feist-Wilson from Union VFX, Lighting Artist and Property Investor Jermaine Rajis, Industry Educator Mark Flanagan, Talent Manager Cat Gulácsy and VFX Artist Inês Coimbra, this is an honest and reassuring conversation for anyone wondering what comes next. Because your career isn't defined by one industry... It's defined by the skills you take with you.

At 16, most of us thought everyone else had a plan. Pick the right subjects. Make the right choices. Don’t fall behind. Except… that’s not really how creative careers work. In this episode, Simon Devereux and co-host Nene Parsotam bring together artists, leaders and emerging talent from across VFX and animation to answer one question: What do you wish someone had told you when you were 16? The answers are honest, surprising, occasionally brutal… and probably not what you’d expect. This isn’t an episode about becoming successful by 21 or building the perfect portfolio. It’s about the things nobody tells you early enough: that careers rarely move in straight lines, that changing direction isn’t failure, that software matters less than you think, and that some of the skills that take you furthest aren’t taught in classrooms at all. From early career panic to sideways moves, from advice that changed everything to advice that turned out to be nonsense, the panel reflects on the pressure young people put on themselves, and what actually mattered in hindsight. If you’re 16, know someone who is, or occasionally wish you could send your younger self a voice note… This one’s for you. Guests: Joe Raasch - Head of Training, Pixomondo Will Noon - 3D Character & Creature Animator & Previs Artist, Framestore Alex Davy - Storyboard Artist, previously at Blue Zoo Animation Oktawia Sokalska - Junior Compositor, Viridian FX Zain Harris - Colourist, DISAUTHORITY Kara Orapallo - VP Crew Development, DNEG Animation Listen now! ...and maybe send it to someone who thinks they need their whole future figured out already.

What happens when young people spend hours gaming, editing videos, scrolling TikTok or watching YouTube? Are they wasting time… or developing skills adults don’t always recognise? In this thoughtful and refreshingly balanced conversation, we explore the growing gap between how young people engage with digital platforms and how parents often interpret that behaviour. Bringing together voices from games, animation, education and production, the panel looks beyond the headlines and asks whether gaming, content creation and online communities are building creativity, resilience and transferable skills in ways we don’t always acknowledge. Across the episode, the conversation explores what parents are really worried about when they think about screen time, the difference between passive consumption and active creation, and why ideas like 'games literacy' may become increasingly important in the future. This roundtable discusses how gaming can develop problem-solving, decision-making and learning through failure, while also unpacking the surprising links between video editing, storytelling, short-form content and modern creative careers. The discussion also examines how studios are adapting to changing audience behaviours, what creative employers are noticing in the next generation of talent, and whether visual and motion literacy are becoming just as important as traditional forms of communication. Importantly, the episode doesn’t ignore the challenges. The panel talks honestly about healthy boundaries, digital wellbeing and the moments when parents should step in, while offering practical advice for supporting curiosity without turning every hobby into a career plan. No judgement. No panic. Just an honest conversation about creativity, technology, learning and whether young people might already be developing skills for a world that adults are still catching up to. Guests: Del Walker - Lead Character Artist at Absurd Ventures, Professor of Arts at Norwich University and BAFTA committee member Marcia Deakin - Co-Founder, NextGen Skills Academy Grace Lane - Senior Communications Manager at Blue Zoo Animation Studio Lauren Middleton - Senior Games Production Coordinator at Framestore, Limit Break Mentor and Women in Games Ambassador

What happens when the pressure of working in VFX and animation stops feeling motivating… and starts becoming overwhelming? In one of the most open and honest conversations we’ve had on The ACCESS: VFX Podcast, this episode explores the realities of stress, burnout, anxiety, self-worth, imposter syndrome and emotional exhaustion across the creative industries... and why we need to start talking about these things earlier. Featuring artists, producers, schedulers, support specialists and industry leaders from across VFX and animation, the roundtable discusses the hidden pressures many people experience behind the scenes: long hours, instability, perfectionism, fear of speaking up, financial stress, comparison culture, and the difficulty of separating personal identity from creative work. But this episode is also about support, recovery, perspective and community. Featuring: Kate Lander - Director, Career Expert & ACCESS:VFX Board Member Kali Dronsfield - VFX Scheduling Manager at Electric Theatre Collective Dan Glass - Animator at Framestore Manie Moolman - Service Delivery Manager at The Film & Television Charity Alannah Belanger - VFX Executive Producer at Untold Studios Karina Bhojwani - Production Assistant at Vine FX This isn’t a conversation about having perfect solutions. It’s a conversation about making sure people don’t suffer in silence while trying to build creative careers. Support from The Film & TV Charity: The Whole Picture Toolkit: https://filmtvcharity.org.uk/get-support/support-for-organisations/the-whole-picture-toolkit/ Principles for Mentally Healthy Productions: https://filmtvcharity.org.uk/stories-events/news/principles-for-mentally-healthy-productions-launched/ 1-2-1 services including mental health: https://filmtvcharity.org.uk/get-support/

What Studios Look for in Emerging Talent… And What They Don’t! What actually matters when you’re trying to break into VFX and animation between 16–21? In this honest, myth-busting roundtable, recruiters, animation leaders and educators unpack what studios are really looking for in emerging talent, beyond perfect portfolios, grades and buzzwords. The panel explores the difference between raw talent and potential, why curiosity and resilience matter more than perfection, and the common mistakes juniors make in applications, reels and interviews. Topics include: Why 'passion alone' isn’t enough What recruiters notice in the first few minutes Why grades matter less than many think How to stand out without trying to look 'industry ready' The importance of storytelling, process and collaboration Burnout, resilience and protecting your creativity Why there’s no such thing as being 'behind' There’s also practical advice on improving showreels, taking feedback, networking authentically, learning how you learn best, and embracing experimentation. Guests include: Pheya Tribelsky - Talent Manager at Electric Theatre Collective Eamonn Butler - Head of Animation Division at Cinesite Ross Burgess - Head of Animation & Animation Director at Untold Studios Julia Marrone - Head of Recruitment, Canada at Framestore Oliver Gingrich - Animation Programme Leader at Greenwich University Hosted by Simon Devereux and Nene Parsotam. A hugely reassuring, practical and refreshingly honest conversation for anyone wondering whether they’re 'good enough' yet, and a reminder that creative careers are rarely linear, and never one-size-fits-all.

If someone asked you today, 'Is VFX a safe career?' - what are they really asking? Job security? Stable income? Long-term sustainability? Or just reassurance that it’s a 'sensible' choice? In this episode of The ACCESS: VFX Podcast, Simon Devereux and Nene Parsotam bring together artists, leaders and coaches from across the industry to unpack the reality behind the question. From Fraser Murdoch and Cat Gonçalves sharing the day-to-day realities of studio life, to Tom Box offering a studio founder’s perspective, this is a grounded look at how 'stability' actually plays out. We also hear from Isobel Hine, Courtney Pryce and Brooke McGowan on freelance vs staff realities, money myths, burnout, and what keeps people employable long-term. The big takeaway? There’s no single version of 'safe' - just different types of risk, at different stages of your career. The episode closes with honest advice for anyone considering VFX: who it’s a great fit for, who might want to think twice, and what actually makes a career sustainable over time.

University, College, Apprenticeship… or None of the Above? Part 2. If Part 1 explored the routes in, Part 2 asks the tougher question: what actually happens when those routes meet reality? Is there such a thing as a 'safe' path into VFX anymore? or is that idea already outdated? In this episode, Simon Devereux and Nene Parsotam bring together voices from across the industry: university, apprenticeships, and non-traditional routes, to unpack what each path really offers (and what it doesn’t). From Marsida Shpendi’s experience inside higher education, to Ben White and Josh Ebanks proving success without university, to Sam Gallant and Emily Birkett sharing the realities of apprenticeships, this is an honest look at how careers actually take shape. Andy McNamara also tackles one of the biggest questions right now: are universities keeping up with AI, or falling behind student expectations? The big takeaway? There’s no single route! Just different paths, different timelines, and different trade-offs. The episode closes with practical advice for parents and young people navigating those choices. From what questions to ask, to how to deal with the fear of falling behind.

When most people hear 'VFX', they picture artists creating explosions or creatures. But that’s only part of the story. In this episode of The ACCESS: VFX Podcast, Simon Devereux and Nene Parsotam challenge the biggest myth about the industry: that it’s all about art. We ask a simple question: if you removed every artist from a VFX studio, what roles would still be essential? From production and editorial to pipeline, IT, HR, finance and more, this episode shines a light on the many careers that keep studios running, and why they’re often overlooked. We also tackle a key misconception: you don’t need to be good at drawing to work in VFX. Skills like organisation, communication, problem-solving and systems thinking are just as critical, and often in higher demand. The conversation explores how everyday strengths, from loving spreadsheets to solving problems or spotting patterns, can translate directly into VFX careers. We also touch on neurodivergent strengths and why the industry can be a strong fit for different ways of thinking. For parents, carers and educators, this episode reframes the question. Instead of asking “are they artistic enough?”, ask: what do they enjoy, and how do they think? Featuring insights from: Sophie Maydon - Founder, Talent & Recruitment Consultant at PXL Talent Gidea Cunningham - VFX Line Producer at BlueBolt Tory Wire - Head of People at Union VFX Prince Raheem May - VFX Editorial and Sound A reminder that VFX isn’t just for artists. It’s for problem-solvers, organisers, and thinkers of all kinds.

Loving drawing, films or video games is often the starting point for young people who dream about working in visual effects, animation or games. But for parents and teachers, that passion can raise an uncomfortable question: is enthusiasm alone enough to build a real career? In this episode of The ACCESS: VFX Podcast, hosts Simon Devereux and Nene Parsotam unpack one of the most common anxieties families have when thinking about creative careers. We explore the difference between interest, talent and potential, and ask what actually signals that a young person is developing real creative ability rather than simply enjoying a hobby. Is loving drawing, films or games a meaningful starting point... or just the baseline? Our guests share honest perspectives on how passion evolves into skill, what industry professionals really look for when reviewing junior work, and why persistence, curiosity and experimentation often matter as much as raw ability. The conversation also looks at the behaviours educators quietly recognise as signs of genuine creative growth: the young person who is always making things, tinkering, experimenting or learning outside the classroom. But we also ask a tougher question: is producing lots of work the same as actually improving? We examine where formal education fits into this journey. When does a degree or specialist course genuinely add value? What can structured learning provide that self-teaching often cannot? And what are the risks of pushing a young person into the wrong course too early? Along the way we discuss whether young creatives should specialise early or keep their options open, how messy and non-linear many real industry careers actually are, and how parents can offer support without accidentally applying pressure. Finally, we tackle the delicate balance between encouragement and realism. When should families start talking honestly about competition, rejection and sustainability in creative industries, and how do you do that without crushing motivation? Joining Simon and Nene for this discussion are: Kazia Roach - 2D Supervisor at One of Us Tom Harrison - CG Generalist at Electric Theatre Collective Klaudija Cermak - VFX Compositing Lecturer at Escape Studios and VES Global Board Director James Downes - Director, Animator & Technician, currently Assistant Technologist at Untold Studios Bradley McAvoy-James - Lecturer in Games Design at Brunel University London Raiyan Chinoy - Art Director and Lead VFX Artist at DISAUTHORITY Together they bring perspectives from industry, education and personal experience, sharing what they look for in emerging talent and what families should understand about creative pathways today. A reminder that loving the craft is only the beginning.