Letters of Recommendation for BNU Graduates

For animation graduates, a Letter of Recommendation is often requested when applying for jobs, internships, or postgraduate opportunities.  Here at BNU we write such letters on a regular basis.

Employers and studios want to know what you’re like to work with, and a letter from a trusted tutor or mentor can help convey that.  Are you a team player? Do you show up on time? These are the "soft skills" that employers look for.

Here are some tips to make the process of getting a reference or letter or recommendation as smooth as possible:

Why Animation Graduates Still Need a CV

Do animators still need a cv or resume? We think so. Animators still need a cv because employers will need a brief summary of all the relevant detail about your skills, academic qualifications, citizenship (this matters for your right to work), job history and - crucially - all your contact details. Contact details should include your email address, your phone number - and also your physical address. 

Why BNU Animation Grads Still Need Linkedin

Animators need Linkedin because now more than ever Linkedin has become the default platform for animation graduates looking for work. Linkedin is a "one stop shop" for animation recruiters, who can find fresh talent, see their job history, watch their demo reel and - crucially - forward the link to their clients. The video above explains why our animation graduates need Linkedin, and how to take advantage of its features. 

Archie Dennis Special Projects Coordinator DNEG

Archie Dennis

Many congratulations to BNU Graduate Archie Dennis who is now working as a Special Projects Coordinator at DNEG in London.

Archie graduated from BNU with a first class degree in Animation & VFX, and is now working at one of the UK's leading VFX houses.

DNEG are responsible for multiple blockbuster hits and recently won their seventh Academy Award for their VFX on "Dune".

BNU Graduate Lee Caller Hon Mention in Tokyo

Jelly Cars Hon. Mention for Best Cinematography at TIMFF

Buckinghamshire New University is proud to congratulate animation graduate Lee Caller whose short film Jelly Cars has won an Honourable Mention for "Best Cinematography" at the Halicarnassus Film Festival. 

This is the latest award for Jelly Cars, a short comedy about a cartoon car trying to find a parking space.  Jelly Cars has won many festival awards.

Meet Victoria Bailey's "Turtley In Love"

Many congratulations to BNU Animation Graduate Victoria Bailey, who has just published her new book: "Turtley In Love", a short animated story for children.

"Turtley In Love" was written and animated by Victoria through her new publishing venture Wonky Pictures.

Join Tommy the Turtle as he battles the elements and journeys through the unknown in his quest to find Celia, his one true turtle love.

Bucks Grad Paul Amiras Layout TD at DNEG

Paul Amiras

Many congratulations to Bucks animation graduate Paul Amiras on his new position as Layout Artist TD at DNEG.

Double Negative is one of the UK's leading animation and visual effects companies, and now a global brand, with offices in Vancouver, Mumbai, Los Angeles, Chennai, Montréal, Hyderabad, Chandigarh, and Goa.

3D Layout is one of the first interesting and challenging parts of the production process, working closely with the director to establish the cinematic look and feel of the project.

Graduation Day!

Graduation Day at Bucks

Many congratulations to all our animation and VFX graduates - today is Graduation Day at Bucks, and the ceremony for our newest animation graduates takes place at Bucks today, Tuesday 4th September at 2.30pm.

We congratulate all our animation graduates who are celebrating their achievement today.

This year, our latest graduates include masters' students Anna Zielinska, Julien Rashti, Marcio Leiria, Darius O'Neill, Brendan Hobbs, and Victoria Bailey. Congratulations to all of them - our second graduating class of MA students.

Craimer Jones CG Artist at Burrows FX

Bucks Animation & VFX graduate Craimer Jones is a lead CGI artist at Burrows, a UK based production visualisation company which describes itself as "bringing products to life via high quality visualisation, personalisation, configuration, engaging storytelling and immersive experiences".

We asked Crainer to talk about his job, how he got it, and what advice he would give to students and recent graduates hoping to break into the digital industries.

Bucks Graduate Anthony Smith - Private Eye Cartoonist

Anthony Smith

Anthony Smith is a Bucks graduate who has forged a successful career in cartoons and animation.

Anthony is best known in the animation industry for his ads for the Dairylea Cow, but he also does regular cartoons for Metro, the Spectator and Private Eye.

You may not know Anthony Smith - but you are very likely to have come across his work.

We asked him a few questions about his work, and how he got started in the industry.

Antoni Zakheos at Phenomen Films UK

Many congratulations to Bucks animation graduate Antoni Zakheos, who has just started a new position as a 3D artist at Phenomen Films UK.

Phenomen Films UK is a post-production company located in London, part of the wider Phenomen Films group of companies, based in Berlin, Moscow, Kharkov and Kiev.

Alexi Balian Animation Art & Design Academy

Alexi Balian was one of the first students to enroll in our Online MA in 3D animation at Bucks. He graduated last week, becoming one of the first-ever students anywhere in the world to receive his animation MA purely online.

Alexi has now made a career of teaching animation. In his capacity as Provincial and National Skills Canada Chair for 2D and 3D Character Animation, Alexi also runs workshops and seminars in Canada through his Animation Art & Design Academy.

Bucks Graduates Make Animation History

Alexi Balian, Charlie Falconi, Tim Milson, Neil Whitman, Stephen Young. 

Today was Graduation Day at Bucks and our new MAs in Animation made a little piece of animation history.

Our first graduating cohort aren't the first animation MAs in the world, but they are the first to get their MA purely online.

And, despite living in far-flung parts of the world, many came to Bucks for the graduation ceremony, for the chance to wear a robe and a silly hat and - at last! - meet up in person for the first time.

Paul Cooper Freelance Career in Animation

Artwork by Paul Cooper

Bucks animation graduate Paul Cooper has forged a successful career in the animation industry since leaving Bucks.

We asked him to talk about his work, how he has made a success of it, and what advice he can offer to our current undergraduates to make sure they get the most out of their time in High Wycombe.

Finding Work at Film & TV Pro

Film and TV Pro - worth signing up for

Film and TV Pro is a great website, and one we recommend all our graduates sign up for. You can get updates on jobs, both paid and unpaid, and connect with industry professionals. Looking for that first job can be the trickiest part of launching your career in animation and visual effects, and being connected is part of the solution.

Trish Grasham UK Stage Design Exhibition

Bucks Graduate Trish Grasham on UK Stage Design

Trish Grasham (above) is a Bucks Graduate and also an Associate Lecturer, inspiring and guiding a new generation of undergraduates. The BBC Feature highlights an exhibition of UK Stage Design, an area that the UK excels in. In the second year of the animation course, students will be involved in designing virtual sets for new artists featured in 'BBC Introducing'.  Stage design is an essential source of inspiration.

Tosin Oluyadi Wins £250 Design Competition

Tosin Oluyadi is second from left

Tosin Oluyadi graduated from Bucks last summer, and since then has been working in creative media as a designer and digital editor.

She also won a design competition to create a new app, and we asked her to talk about the app, her work, and how she has managed to kick-start her career in this most competitive of industries.

Calling all Bucks Animation Graduates - Blue Zoo are Hiring Junior Animators!

Blue Zoo Animation

Calling all Animation Apprentice Graduates! London's leading TV animation house Blue Zoo are hiring fresh talent. Getting that first job is always tough, and it's relatively unusual for studios to be looking actively for juniors. So, time to polish that demo reel, make sure your best work is online and free of mistakes, update your CV, and send it all in with a nice covering letter.

Graduate Panel at Bucks on Thursday at 3pm - Who's Coming?

A recent Graduate Panel at Bucks

Thursday September 25th is our latest graduate panel, where we bring back Bucks graduates who have made it in the creative industries to hear about the latest trends in creative media, and to help our students gain an early understanding of what it takes to launch their own careers. It takes place at 3pm in the Gateway Lecture Theatre. Talks like this can be vital in terms of bridging the gap between university and the world of commerce. So, who is coming on Thursday?

Miracles and Inspirations by Bucks Graduate Monika Dzikowicz makes the Official Selection of the Festival de Cine de Madrid

Monika Dzikowicz graduated from Bucks last year, and recently completed her short film Miracles and Inspirations, which has been entered in to short film festivals all around the world. Most recently the film has been accepted for the Official Selection at the 23rd Festival de Cine de Madrid, taking place in Spain in October of this year.