The Access:VFX Podcast

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.

In this episode, we tackle one of the biggest questions facing young people and their families: what is the 'right' route into VFX and animation?

Is university the safest bet? Are apprenticeships under-rated? Can you still build a career without formal higher education? And is the idea of one clear, linear pathway already outdated?

We unpack when formal education genuinely adds value; creative development, networks, time to experiment, structured feedback; and when it risks becoming an expensive holding pattern. We explore what actually gets someone hired today, what studios really look for beyond qualifications, and whether 'self-taught' is still realistic in an increasingly competitive global market.

We examine apprenticeships as a serious route into industry, who thrives in that environment, and why they’re still poorly understood by parents and schools. We also discuss hybrid paths, combining study, freelance work and industry experience; and whether today’s young creatives need to think less about choosing one route, and more about building a portfolio of experience.

Above all, we challenge the myth that there is a single 'correct' path. There isn’t. There are trade-offs, risks, timing considerations and personal differences, but no universal answer.

Joining Simon Devereux and Nene Parsotam for this conversation are:

Jamie Bellamy, Compositor at One Of Us; Iggy Gill-Ces, freelance artist currently balancing study alongside industry work; Helen McAvoy-James, Head of Production at Union VFX; Saint Walker, Programme Leader at the University of Hertfordshire and author of Core Skills of VFX; Alfie Vaughan, VFX Supervisor at Coffee & TV and former apprentice; and Robin Fuller, Senior Lecturer at Norwich University of the Arts.

Together, they bring perspectives from education, supervision, production, recruitment and lived experience across multiple routes into the industry.

Different routes. Different outcomes. No single right answer, just honest perspectives to help young people and parents make better-informed decisions.

Explore our events, and outreach initiatives at accessvfx.org and join our free global e-mentoring programme at accessvfx.org/mentors, connecting aspiring talent with real industry professionals across visual effects, animation and games.

Download your copy of The Core Skills of VFX at: https://coreskillsofvfx.com/

In this episode, we unpack what actually defines a 'real' career in VFX and Animation. Is it a salary, a payslip and a clear promotion ladder, or passion, purpose and meaningful work?

We challenge the long-standing myth that creative careers are inherently unstable, explore the realities of freelance versus staff roles, and separate genuine AI 'panic' from industry noise. We talk honestly about resilience, boundary-setting and the truth about long hours; and highlight the fact that the UK’s creative industries contribute more to the economy than oil, gas, automotive and aerospace combined.

We also examine how younger generations are redefining success, and why making mistakes isn’t failure; it’s part of building a career.

Joining Simon Devereux and Nene Parsotam for this conversation are Amy Smith, Global Director of Recruitment & Outreach at Framestore; Andrew Schlussel, Senior Director of Training & Development at DNEG Animation; Alban Orlhiac, VFX Supervisor at One Of Us; Phil Attfield, Co-Founder of NextGen Skills Academy; and Cerys Evans, Careers Lead at Into Film, bringing perspectives from recruitment, training, supervision, education and careers guidance across the creative industries.

Explore our events, and outreach initiatives at accessvfx.org and join our free global e-mentoring programme at accessvfx.org/mentors, connecting aspiring talent with real industry professionals across visual effects, animation and games.

For parents and carers looking for additional guidance, Into Film also offers a brilliant Parent & Carer Guide to Careers in the Screen Industries, available here: https://www.intofilm.org/news-and-views/articles/parents-and-carers-careers-guide

The ACCESS:VFX Podcast is back with a brand-new season, and this time we’re venturing beyond the world of Film and TV. In response to the evolving challenges in our industry, we’re exploring new creative frontiers and unexpected career paths in adjacent industries such as Legal, Fashion, and Architectural Visualisation. It’s a season dedicated to possibility, where VFX skills open doors in places you might not expect.

In our latest episode, we’re shining a light on the world of Architectural Visualisation, or 'ArchViz', a space where storytelling meets structure and imagination becomes immersive environments. This is where visual effects and design intersect, transforming how we experience the built environment.

Joining us for this conversation are four creatives who are pushing the boundaries of visual storytelling in architecture and beyond. We’re thrilled to welcome Sam O’Hare, a Director and VFX Supervisor based in New York City; Mike “Chappers” Chapman, Creative Director at Electric Theatre Collective; Christiaan Klaassen, Senior Partner and Creative Director at DBOX; and Lautaro Vogel, Visualisation Director at Somewhere, part of the Uniform Group.

Together, we explore how backgrounds in VFX can translate beautifully into architecture and design, and how these disciplines overlap in exciting ways. From career pivots and redefining creative collaboration, to navigating cutting-edge technology and forecasting what’s next for the industry, this episode is packed with insights and inspiration.

So whether you’re listening from your studio, your home office, or somewhere surrounded by blueprints, models, or renders, sit back, relax, and join us as we explore the world of 'ArchViz' through the lens of VFX.

Also, check out Sam's work at oovfx.com, Chappers at electrictheatre.tv, Christiaan at dbox.com and Lautaro at wearesomewhere.net, uniform.net, and for any VFX freelancers interested in collaborating, please get in touch at [email protected]

The ACCESS: VFX Podcast is back with a new season where we're exploring VFX and Animation roles beyond Film and TV, exploring adjacent industries such as Legal, Fashion, and Architectural Visualisation.

With the current challenges in our industry, we know many people are looking for new opportunities, and this season is all about showcasing unexpected but exciting career paths.

In this episode, we’re joined by four incredible guests who are leading the charge at the intersection of fashion, digital innovation, and immersive technology:

Costas Kazantzis – Lead Creative Technologist at the Fashion Innovation Agency, London College of Fashion
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/costaskazantzis/
Website: https://costaskazantzis.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/costas-kazantzis/
Snapchat: https://www.snapchat.com/add/costaskazantzis

Damara Yolanda Inglês – Creative Director of Fashion Media and Interactive Virtual Experiences
Instagram: @damara_in_ctrl

Dajeong Dada – Sustainable Fashion Designer, Researcher, and Founder of Disrupt Attire Design Art
Instagram: @da.dajeong
Website: dadajeong.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dadajeong

Rebekah Guo – Specialist Technician/Associate Lecturer atUniversity of the Arts London
Instagram: @Unumstudio

If you’ve ever wondered how your skills in VFX and animation could translate into an industry as creative and fast-moving as fashion, this episode is for you!