What Studios Look for in Emerging Talent… And What They Don’t!
What actually matters when you’re trying to break into VFX and animation between 16–21?
In this honest, myth-busting roundtable, recruiters, animation leaders and educators unpack what studios are really looking for in emerging talent, beyond perfect portfolios, grades and buzzwords.
The panel explores the difference between raw talent and potential, why curiosity and resilience matter more than perfection, and the common mistakes juniors make in applications, reels and interviews.
Topics include:
Why 'passion alone' isn’t enough
What recruiters notice in the first few minutes
Why grades matter less than many think
How to stand out without trying to look 'industry ready'
The importance of storytelling, process and collaboration
Burnout, resilience and protecting your creativity
Why there’s no such thing as being 'behind'
There’s also practical advice on improving showreels, taking feedback, networking authentically, learning how you learn best, and embracing experimentation.
Guests include:
Pheya Tribelsky - Talent Manager at Electric Theatre Collective
Eamonn Butler - Head of Animation Division at Cinesite
Ross Burgess - Head of Animation & Animation Director at Untold Studios
Julia Marrone - Head of Recruitment, Canada at Framestore
Oliver Gingrich - Animation Programme Leader at Greenwich University
Hosted by Simon Devereux and Nene Parsotam.
A hugely reassuring, practical and refreshingly honest conversation for anyone wondering whether they’re 'good enough' yet, and a reminder that creative careers are rarely linear, and never one-size-fits-all.
