The Access:VFX Podcast

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...

On the ACCESS: VFX Podcast this week, we’re sharing the live podcast we recorded at this years Rainbow Conference hosted by London ACM Siggraph on Friday 6th September 2024. Joining this episode are three ACCESS VFX mentees have been part of the ACCESS: VFX global e mentoring programme, including: Sofi Kocsmarszki, Coffee & TV Apprentice) Lola Kalyango, Production Coordinator at One of Us Brenda X...

In this weeks episode, we’re spotlighting NextGen Skills Academy’s recruitment for Junior Visual Effects Apprenticeships. Applications are now open with a closing date of midnight (BST) on Thursday 29th August 2024. Apply here: https://www.nextgenskillsacademy.com/course/apprenticeships VFX Apprenticeships are an incredible opportunity to 'earn while you learn' on the job, and take time to study i...

On the ACCESS: VFX Podcast this week, it's our third instalment of 'ASK US ANYTHING', where we put a call out to our community and gather killer career questions for a panel of ace visual effects and animation recruiters! Attempting to take on YOUR questions this time are: Harriet Edge Partington, Talent and Recruitment Manager at Union Visual Effects, Jonny Adamson, Senior Talent Acquisition Part...

Welcome back to the ACCESS: VFX Podcast! Our season launch on International Women's Day faced some tech challenges, but thanks to our amazing studios and hosts, we had a great start. Now, we’re excited to bring you the originally planned episode, featuring: Louise Hussey, Industrial Light and Magic - From Molinare to ILM, Louise's journey includes pivotal roles at DNEG and Animated Women UK. Binal...

Welcome back to another episode of the ACCESS: VFX Podcast, and our Pride Month Special Episode. On this episode we are joined by special guest co-host Boyan Georgiev, Key Lighting TD at Jellyfish Pictures, Chair of London ACM SIGGRAPH, and QVFX champion! Our wonderful line-up for this conversation are Joe Duffy - Global Talent Acquisition Lead, Jellyfish Pictures Stevie Gill - CG Supervisor, Axis...

For this weeks episode of The ACCESS:VFX Podcast we've gathered recruiters and talent managers from the visual effects, animation, and games industries to tackle over 90 killer career questions sent in via our community on social media. Joining Simon and Nene for our second 'ASK US ANYTHING' episode are 5 recruiters and talent managers, namely… Ellie Algar, Recruitment Manager for Framestore, Joe...

On this weeks episode of The ACCESS:VFX Podcast we’re reflecting on this year's Women's History Month, with a brilliant 'near peer' panel of women who are new to the industry working across a range of roles in visual effects and animation. Joining Nene and Simon on this one are Eilidh Brown, Rigging TD at Axis Studios, Emily Birkett, Junior Compositor at Union VFX, Paula Ezuma, Junior Compositor a...