Step Up To Unreal

More and more, those working in VFX need real-time and virtual production skills, especially with the advent of Unreal Engine 5 (UE5) and the explosion in new work being commissioned by the likes of Netflix and Prime.

As it’s a games engine, there’s plenty of online tuition in Unreal Engine, but nothing beats being taught on a course designed to understand the particular needs that VFX artists have. Escape Studios have designed a number of Unreal Engine courses specifically for VFX and Animation professionals.

After you’ve learned the basics of Unreal Engine, you have the chance to put your skills into action and gain practical experience - your details will be shared with a group of studios who are looking for talent and are offering placements.

As an Unreal Engine Authorized Training Center, Escape Studios works closely with Epic Games, (creators of Unreal Engine and the world renowned game Fortnite) to ensure course content is up-to-date and includes exciting presentations and advice. In 2021, Escape Studios ran the ‘Summer of Unreal' for Epic Games, a four-week free programme for Animation professionals across Europe, and ‘Pick and Mix’, a free modular Unreal Engine course for VFX professionals.

We are online, but with small numbers to ensure a personal touch you usually only get in a classroom.

Whilst Unreal Engine 4.27 is still the most prevalent, the next-level UE 5 is increasingly used. To mirror this industry practice, we will be teaching UE 4 whilst preparing our participants for UE 5, with sessions on Lumen and nanite, game-changing new components in UE 5 you should know about.

If you’ve just started in the VFX industry (with a couple of years of experience under your belt) or are looking to re-skill from another part of the screen industries, like games or motion graphics, then this might be just what you need.

We want to attract a diverse range of people, so the course will be online. All you’ll need is a decent internet connection and a machine capable of running Unreal Engine. We’ll do the rest.

We expect this offer to be popular but availability of spaces will remain small so we can ensure quality output. We will prioritise those who are interested in a paid placement over the summer.

Send your CV/resume and an online portfolio, with a cover letter saying why you are interested in stepping up to Unreal.

This training is free to participants thanks to funding from the ScreenSkills High-end TV Skills Fund with contributions from UK high-end TV productions and also by the BFI awarding National Lottery funds as part of the Future Film Skills programme.

• Some experience in the industry.
• A few paid projects under your belt.
• No prior knowledge of Unreal Engine is required.

Register your interest using the form below. An email will follow with instructions on how to submit your application documents.

For your application to be taken into account, you will need to submit the following:

• A CV/resume with evidence of at least two commercial projects undertaken.
• A 300-word statement explaining why you want to Step Up To Unreal and why you think a placement will help you.
• A statement that you are (assuming dates can work) willing to partake in a placement. 
• You will also need to set up an account with ScreenSkills to confirm your participation.

Applications close on Friday 6th May at 4pm (UK time).

You must be in the first steps of your career, with a couple of paid projects under your belt. Unfortunatley we cannot extend this to students on gap or sandwich years. 

Great, as long as you commit to all five days of the course. Your prior knowledge is neither an advantage nor disadvantage in terms of a successful application.

We will be prioritising applicants who want to make the most of the opportunity but there will not be places for everyone. Depending on demand, we may take on a few people who make the case that they need to learn Unreal Engine to extend their work. However, this cannot be guaranteed.

Our job is to fill the placements – what happens next will be up to you and the host organisation. There is no obligation for Escape Studios, Screenskills or the host company to offer any commentary on future employment chances. We hope these placements will provide great experiences for future work attractiveness.

No, unfortunately not. The companies providing the placements need to be assured of your standard and the course covers compulsory aspects of Unreal Engine that they require.

Sorry, no full-time students may apply. The funds are to help those people already on the early career ladder who want to progress into Unreal Engine. If you are a degree student, do look at Escape Studios’ other Unreal Engine courses. Also plenty of VFX companies have internships and placements themselves, so check out their websites. 

Yes, as long as there is interaction with a wider team on the placement, and that you are being socialised into the company, meeting others online and learning, rather than just carrying out orders. Many companies are still working remotely, and they are eligible to offer a placement too.

Never say never! Step Up To Unreal is only possible through ScreenSkills’ one-off funding, so we’ll look at the results and consult with industry regarding the effectiveness of the initiative.

New entrants, early career applicants and those from related areas of expertise have particular barriers to gaining access to training in Unreal Engine, often lacking networks of support or collegiate advice and expertise. Also, they are more likely to accept a placement which, although paid, won't replace paid commissioned work that experienced VFX professionals can command.

Yes! As long as you can show evidence of some previous work in VFX or related industries in your application.