The Access:VFX Podcast

Women hold just 16% of leadership roles across VFX and animation. But what happens to those who do reach the top, and are they genuinely free to lead on their own terms? In this episode of The ACCESS:VFX Podcast, hosts Simon and Nene are joined by Tanya Ferguson, Executive Producer at Untold Studios; Marta Carbonell Amela, Director and Creative Director at Zauberberg Productions; Sophie Bell, Mana...

Every industry likes to talk about community. The word appears in mission statements, recruitment campaigns and social-media posts, but genuine community is not built with a hashtag, and it does not magically appear when people need it. Someone has to create the space, welcome the newcomer, make the introductions, organise the event, answer the messages and keep people believing they still belong,...

Getting the leadership title is one thing. What happens when you actually have to do the job? When you become responsible for other people’s careers. When you have to deliver feedback you know someone won’t like. When you’re promoted and quietly wonder whether somebody has made a terrible mistake. Or when you discover that the behaviours that made you successful are precisely the ones you now need...

Working hard, becoming brilliant at your craft and earning a promotion should make you a great leader… right? Not necessarily. Being an exceptional animator doesn’t automatically mean you’ll be good at managing animators. Being a brilliant producer doesn’t prepare you for every difficult conversation. And being the most technically experienced person in the room doesn’t always make you the person...

Improve your reel. Network more. Attend events. Ask for feedback. Build your online presence. Keep creating. Stay positive. But what happens when you do all of that… and you still can’t get hired? This episode of the ACCESS: VFX Podcast began with a message from junior compositor and roto/paint artist Antony Buckman. Antony had sought mentoring, improved his reel, personalised his applications, li...

How do you actually get noticed as a young animator? In this special episode of the ACCESS:VFX Podcast, Simon and Nene explore Young Animator of the Year UK, the free national animation competition that has helped launch the careers of some of the UK's most exciting emerging talent. Joining them are Tom Box (Co-Founder of Blue Zoo Animation and Young Animator of the Year UK Lead), Tanya Scott (BAA...

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 att...

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 healt...

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 ans...

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 g...

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 abo...

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...

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 an...

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, apprentice...

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 ed...

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 f...

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 dev...

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 re...

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...

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...

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. We kick things off...

Welcome back to another episode of the ACCESS:VFX Podcast, Season 4 Episode 13. If you caught Episode 11, you’ll remember our incredible conversation with Jet Omoshebi, Stirling Archibald, and Alex Zepherin - so insightful that we had to split it into two parts! In this, our season finale, we’re excited to bring you Part 2 of our 'Black Success Stories' discussion. Just as our last episode aired d...

It's the first episode of 2025 and the ACCESS:VFX Podcast! Season 4, Episode 12! We’re kicking off 2025 with an insightful discussion about leadership, featuring three exceptional leaders who have shaped the visual effects and animation industry: Nosipho van den Bragt – Owner and Co-Founder of Chocolate Tribe, a boutique VFX and animation studio based in South Africa, renowned for its high-quality...

Welcome back to another episode of the ACCESS:VFX Podcast! Season 4 Episode 11. In this special episode, we’re shining a spotlight on Black Success Stories in honour of Black History Month. Join us as we celebrate the groundbreaking contributions of Black professionals who are shaping and transforming the creative industries. This inspiring conversation features a powerhouse panel of trailblazers...

This week's episode focuses on the theme of neurodiversity, as Simon and Nene welcome an inspiring panel of neurodivergent VFX and Animation professionals, including: - Amelie Chagnon-Fathe’ (Employer Brand Marketing Specialist at Cinesite) - Ellie Algar (Senior Recruitment Manager - Technology & Immersive at Framestore) - Bridget Dash (Talent Acquisition Manager for DNEG Feature Animation) - Simo...