Guilio Spatola

What have you been up to since you left Escape Studios?

During my time as a Studio Assistant at Escape Studios, I’ve been taking some freelancing gigs d and I’m currently finishing one of them - the 2nd edit of a sci-fi short movie called 2x2x2 and now renamed Incandescent.

How did studying at Escape Studios help you into the world of Compositing?

Escape Studios provided me with an entirely new set of skills as my background was mainly video production as camera operator. Therefore if I know how to start Nuke and make all those nodes, put together a script, its thanks to the precious teachings of my tutors at Escape Studios.

If you had to sum up your time at Escape Studios in one word what would it be and why?

I know this will sound smart but my word is really Escape. And that’s why studying VFX represented to me my way out from a long tunnel of depression. I had lost myself and my direction until one day I went to the London Comic Con and bumped into the Escape Studios booth. I decided that investing in the MA would have been my final “all-in” and so it was. And I won.

What are you working on at the moment?

I’m currently employed as Compositor at Jellyfish Pictures and I’m working on season 3 of their most famous animation series: Floogals.

What work are you most proud of working on and what is your most notable achievement?

I’m absolutely proud of my very first gig as Compositor. It was a short movie we - as a class - had the chance to work on as material our second assignment (clean up and CG comp). The name of the movie is Turning Tide (2018, A.Muir) and it is today my very first IMDb credit in the VFX industry.

What is it like to work as a Compositor at Jellyfish?

It’s simply a dream come true. My colleagues and supervisors were the kindest people I could possibly meet in a workplace and I’ve been waking up every morning with a smiling face since day 1. I honestly hope to stay onboard with this company.

What lessons have you learnt during your time studying and your time working at Jellyfish?

I certainly learned that communication among departments is crucial and essential to the smooth and flawless managing within the production pipeline. The more detailed and clearer you pass info to your colleagues from other departments, the faster and enjoyable becomes your own work.

What is your advice for those considering entering the industry?

One advice only - the same I gave to myself when I started:The VFX production is a very time-consuming industry and requires a lot of patience. But all of this vanishes when you love what you do. If you love it, go for it.