Going Green to help support VFX artists

We're going green in support of VFX Solidarity international, expressing our support for all the vfx artists and animators who helped to make Life of Pi an Oscar-winning success - and got rewarded with a P45.

Disney Producer Don Hahn on How to Break into The Animation Industry

Don Hahn is an animated film Producer whose credits are almost a roll-call of the Second Golden Age of Animation. His films include Who Framed Roger Rabbit?, Beauty and The Beast, and The Lion King. He is currently producing the much-anticipated Maleficent, due out in 2014.

In an interview with FLIP animation blog he talked about his work as a producer, writer and director. We publish here an excerpt from the interview - his excellent advice to students on how to break into the animation business. 

Maya Taster Day

Our Maya Taster Day is fast approaching.  The idea is that those of you that have never tried Maya or indeed any 3D can get some hands on experience.  We'll have some exciting sessions ready for you, run by Alex and Dave.

Alex York To Visit Bucks

Architectural Visualisation by Alex York

I've just been on the phone to Alex York who created this amazing architectural visualisation of this luxury home.  Watch the video and see what you think http://atelieryork.co.uk/The-House.

Meet The Pro's - film-maker and animator Zac Ella to visit Bucks on Thursday 21st February

Video work by Zac Ella

Zac Ella, film-maker and animator, is coming to Bucks on Thursday 21st February. He is the guest of Mark Hudson, Course Leader at Bucks in Graphic Arts, who has very kindly offered to make space for some animators to attend the lecture and workshop.

The Animator's Survival Kit meets the iPad

I don't have an iPad, and I don't know what you call a book released for use on it. Is it an iBook? an eBook? An iBook App? An e-iBook? Whatever the name, the iPad seems the perfect platform for a digital version of The Animator's Survival Kit, now the standard industry textbook for aspiring animators.

Our New Animation Logo!

Many thanks to Bucks student Monika Dzikowicz for our new Animation Logo. We want to showcase the very best work being done here at Bucks. Modelling, Concept Art, Texturing, Lighting, Animation - and Motion Capture. We believe that the very best job security a graduate can have is to develop a wide range of skills that will keep you employed over the course of a long and satisfying career in the digital arts.

Open Day on 20th February - Come and Visit!

Don't forget our next open day at Bucks New University is on Wednesday 20 February 2013 from 11am to 4pm, at our High Wycombe campus. Full details here:

Motion Capture, Animation and Sports

Bucks Motion Capture Animators hard at work

Here at Bucks we're excited by the huge possibilities for animators to work with other departments, such as graphic design, drama, dance and sound design. In short, collaborations with other film-makers, to create truly excellent projects.

Interview etiquette - technical Do's and Don'ts

A memory stick. And a minefield

Here at Bucks we love seeing plenty of evidence of digital artwork at interview. Even more than a traditional hand-drawn portfolio or sketchbook, digital artwork shows that an applicant is comfortable with computers and, even more important - knows what they're getting into. Our course focuses mainly on digital skills, reflecting the increasingly digital demands of the job market.

Maya Taster Day at Bucks

Free Maya Training at Bucks

Hi Everyone!  I'm Dave and I may have met some of you at your interviews here at Bucks.  We are always excited to see what you've been up to on your courses and in your own time.  We've seen some great work!  What we have noticed is that many of those at interview don't have 3D experience.  One of the great things about our new course is the hands on nature of the projects. We'll be doing a lot of 3D work - animating, modelling, texturing, lighting, dynamics - the list goes on!

What Do Animators Need to Get a Job?

In 2011 I was teaching an animation class at Escape Studios in London, and we managed to get Aardman Animation in Bristol to agree to help keep an eye on us, and make sure we were delivered top-level work. They even sent one of their best animators, the very talented Matthew Rees, to come up to London and check out our students' tests.

What Do Modellers Need To Get a Job?

At the end of last year I met with Royston Wilcox, who heads up the modelling department at Cinesite in Soho, one of London's leading VFX houses. We worked together on many projects at Cinesite, including Underdog, Beverly Hills Chihuahua and Marmaduke, and between us we helped set up a super-efficient pipeline for realistic animal lipsync.

Attention Animators! Designer Ryan Todd Comes to Bucks - Monday 4th February

Graphic Design by Ryan Todd

Designer, Animator and Bucks graduate Ryan Todd is coming to Bucks to do a lecture and workshop on Monday 4th February, with Mark Hudson's Graphic Design students.  Kickoff is at 10am in studio T0.05.

Calling All Animators! Bucks Sound Designers Want to Help You With Your Films!

Sound Design Studio

One of the best things about Bucks is how many departments we have specialising in different aspects of Film and TV production. One of the most interesting departments is sound design, where we have talented students working with state-of-the-art facilities to do excellent work.