Don't Forget - FMX is Coming! May 5th to May 8th 2015

This is a reminder for all our animation and VFX students that FMX in Germany is the place to be if you want to break into the visual effects industry. It takes place in Stuttgart every year - this year from May 5th to May 8th 2015. It's a big, bustling, crowded, brain-boiling congress of people who work in the global visual effects industry, getting together for their annual shindig. Everyone shows up - and there are lectures, screenings and panel talks on every imaginable aspect of the visual effects process.

For students, it costs €150 to get in to the whole event (€75 for the day), plus you will have travel and accommodation to deal with. But as a window into the VFX world - there is nothing like it. It is the biggest event in the Europe. Below is a teaser to get you into the mood.




And it's not just about gawking and window-shopping. There is business to be done as well. Make sure you polish your demo reel and your online portfolio - all the big VFX houses will be there in force, competing to hire the best graduates and spot the new rising stars. It is a perfect opportunity to chat to recruiters and find out what they are looking for, what the latest trends are in the business; what skills are in short supply.

Stuttgart - plenty to see. Photo: Wikipedia

I went to FMX a couple of years ago, and I simply could not believe the breadth and scope of the event. After all, who thinks of Stuttgart when they think of visual effects? But Stuttgart is to VFX as Annecy is to Animation, and as Cannes is to film. It is, quite simply, the place to be.

And no, you don't have to speak German. Almost everything is conducted in English. And, nowadays, the Germans speak better English than we do.  That said, don't forget to grab a phrasebook at the airport and try to learn to a few basics - like please and thankyou - in German. A small effort always works wonders.

You can see the FMX website here for more details of the event.

---Alex 

For more on the experience of studying at Bucks New University, come and visit us at one of our Open Days,  take a virtual tour of one of our animation studios, check out what our students think of our course, and see why we're ranked in the top 12 creative universities in the UK. Find out why we're giving free laptops to all our students, and why we give all our students free access to videos at Lynda.com. Also, see what financial assistance might be available to you. Learn which is better for animation, a PC or a Mac? Get hold of a copy of a map so you can find your way around campus, and learn about motion capture at Bucks