Animators: Embed Your Demo Reel at LinkedIn

Animation recruiters "live at Linkedin" 

A strong demo reel is essential for launching an animation career — but it only works if people see it. Too many graduates upload their reel to YouTube or Vimeo and stop there. 

One of the smartest places to share your reel is LinkedIn.  It’s quick, it’s professional, and it’s where animation recruiters are already looking. Your reel is your most important asset. Don’t hide it. Put it where the industry can find you easily.

Find Work with the UK's 2,500 Animation Studios

The UK alone has around 2,500 animation studios.  Can't find work? It's easy for graduates to apply to the big names: Framestore, Blue Zoo, Aardman, DNEG. But it takes a little more imagination and hard work to apply to the smaller studios that are less well known and harder to find.  The wise animation graduate searches out opportunities that others have overlooked. Start by making lists of obscure studios, make sure your demo reel is fit for purpose, and then start applying. Somewhere out there, right now, is a studio in need of animation talent.

Sole Trader -v- Ltd Company - Which is Best?

Which is best? Sole Trader or Limited Company? For most animators, especially those starting out for the first time, selling your services as a sole trader is by far the simplest solution. As your business grows, and you start to bring other people in to help deliver the best quality product, you might want to consider becoming a limited company. Watch this video to find out more. 

Vital Tip for Animation Graduates

What's the single most important thing that animation graduates need to do when applying for work? Of course, the main thing a professional animator needs is a great demo reel, which is why we spend so much time at BNU focusing on helping our students to prepare a great demo reel. But that reel is no good unless a future employer can find it quickly. To make sure the person doing the hiring can find your work easily, make sure to embed your demo reel at the top of your CV or resume. And, it goes without saying, check that the embedded link actually works. 

ScreenSkills Animation Trainee Finder 2025

Apply at Screen Skills' official site

On September 1st Screen Skills launched a new paid placement scheme for graduates, The "Animation Trainee Finder". Applications for the scheme are now open, and close on Friday 26th September 2025.

"Animation Trainee Finder" places trainees on animation productions and aims to ensure a steady supply of talent for the UK animation industry. 

COM7025 (Professional Prep) Starts 6 Oct 2025

Animation by BNU graduate Robin Herrmann

Module COM7025 (Professional Prep) Starts 6 Oct 2025.  In this module, which aims to get students ready for the animation industry, students put together a professional-level animation demo reel, and also write a report on the animation industry.   

The theoretical Assignment (Animation Industry Report) is due on Friday 12th December 2025, before 2pm.  Demo Reel & Portfolio is due on Friday 9th January 2026, before 2pm. 

A Guide to Taxes for Freelance Animators

This short video offers a short introductory guide to taxes for freelance animators.  At BNU we can't offer our students formal legal or tax advice, but we can explain the basic rules of freelancing.  Freelancing need not be complicated. You don't need a license to offer your services to clients and, as long as you pay your taxes to HMRC at the end of the tax year, doing small freelance animation jobs can be a great way to get started in the animation industry. 

Eight Rules for Success with a New Client

Above is a short video setting out what we believe to be the eight rules for success when dealing with your first client.  For our students at BNU studying on the MA in 3D Animation for Professionals, dealing with their first client is part of our academic program.  During Module COM7028 "Client Brief" our students seek out a client (this could be a friend, a company, a charity, or a small business) that needs a short piece of animation.  The video above explains how to make the experience of working with a new client as smooth as possible. You can also find out more by reading this blog post.

Why Animation Grads Still Need a Website

Why do animation graduates need their own blog or website? Because it remains the case today that having your own blog or website is still the best way to own your own professional slice of the internet. Your blog or website is your showcase for your talent; you can style it and curate it any way you want, and show the world what you are capable of.  The video above explains why our animation graduates still need their own online space to show their work. 

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. 

Which Country Has The Most Animation Studios?

UK Animation is thriving

Which Country has the most animation studios? The answer, of course, is the USA, with over 6,000 animation studios, of which around 1,100 have employees (ie not just a sole freelancer working alone).  

But who is number two? You might be surprised to learn that the number two spot is taken - not by India, Japan or China - but by...

Animation Jobs in Games: Webinar Today at 1pm

Into Games is hosting a free live-streamed talk today Wednesday 22nd May at 1pm UK time for animators seeking a career as an animator in the Games Industry. 

The title of the talk is "Animation: Communicating the fundamentals. How to Prove You've Got The Experience".

Today's talk is for animators who are either "pre-games or very early in their games industry career". 

The talk will be delivered by Hannah Kravets a Gameplay Animator currently working with Climax Studios. 

Screen Skills Launches Paid Graduate Scheme

Apply at Screen Skills' official site

Screen Skills has launched a new paid placement scheme for graduates, the "Animation Trainee Finder". Applications for the scheme opened on August 28 and close on Monday 25th September.

"Animation Trainee Finder" places trainees on animation productions and aims to ensure a steady supply of talent for the UK animation industry.

Why Our Students Need "The Rookies"

We're encouraging all our animation students at BNU to create their own page at The Rookies, now one of the leading platforms for connecting students to the creative industries. 

Creating an individual page at The Rookies helps our students to showcase their work to the wider VFX and animation community, with a view to maximising their future prospects and employability.

Being visible to industry, easy to find, and easy to hire, is one of the core professional skills learned by our students at Escape Studios.

Should BNU Graduates Work as Runners?

Running - is it just about making coffee?

Should our animation graduates work as runners? Working as a runner is a standard entry-level position in our industry, but is it really necessary?  And should our students and graduates do it - or perhaps hold out for a more creative entry-level role?

Here at BNU we support our students who take running positions.  Running isn't glamorous, but it can - and often does - lead to better things.  

Hang in there, put up with a bit of drudgery, and it can pay big dividends. 

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".

How Many Seconds Per Week?

How many seconds?

How much animation does a studio expect an animator to deliver each week? The answer depends on the studio, and what kind of work is being expected. On a high-end feature film such as the kind made by Disney and Pixar, an animator might be expected to complete around five seconds of animation each week - and sometimes even less.

On a TV series where budgets are tight and deadlines loom, an animator might be expected to complete as much as 30 seconds of completed animation each week.

Jobs and Careers Playlist at YouTube

For all our graduates currently looking for work, check out the Animation Apprentice jobs and careers playlist at YouTube. There are plenty of opportunities to find work in the expanding animation industry, but it is important to have a solid demo reel and a well-curated LinkedIn profile - recruiters live at LinkedIn.  The jobs and careers playlist at YouTube offers advice and support on how to land that crucial first job in industry.

Screen Skills: "Animation Trainee Finder"

Animation Trainee Finder Programme at ScreenSkills

ScreenSkills has launched the Animation Trainee Finder, a paid placement programme for animation graduates.

Animation Trainee Finder is being launched by the ScreenSkills Animation Skills Council with the support of UK animationStudios.  The deadline to apply is 27 September 2021.