Carina explains her Futurefolk experience. "I feel very fortunate that I was able to do this internship with Freefolk as many of my classmates now weren't as lucky and the lockdown massively affected their ability to gain industry experience via an internship since many companies didn't run theirs last year. I really appreciated how much my mentor checked in, through a combination of both calls and messaging via Google Hangout. I was able to learn so much and as some of it was written in the chat, I was able to make a lot of notes too, which was helpful when reviewing the skills I was learning. The use of screenshots to give feedback was also a really useful means of communicating so I could easily see the specific areas of the shot the feedback was for.”
Daniel had this to say, “I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Freefolk. It taught me a lot about how a professional production team work together to achieve the end product and overcome challenges along the way. It was an enlightening experience that I feel very lucky to have had, especially during these extraordinary times. For anyone thinking of entering this year I’d say, focus on your reel and portfolio, doing as much as you can in your own time. Your own projects are what will make you stand out amongst others.”
With the growing need for VFX the shortage of artists is steadily increasing and gaining workplace experience is invaluable. Neil Hatton, Chief Executive, UK Screen Alliance, explains, “The demands of content creators are really ramping up as we exit the pandemic and so the need to grow the VFX workforce with highly skilled and talented people is ever more important. Freefolk’s paid internship program is the ideal opportunity for someone to get a foot in the door and gain the experience they need to build a rewarding career in VFX”.
The initiative is open to all VFX students — pre- and post-graduate — so whether you’re a budding animator, CG generalist, FX TD or a superstar comper, you need to compile a two minute reel of your best work to be in with a chance of winning a one-month paid work placement.
This year’s placement will be either remote, at the studio, or a combination of both with timing to work best for all. If your talent makes the grade you’ll be invited to meet the Freefolk team and convince them that you are the right person to win the chance to learn from award winning VFX professionals on both TV and commercial projects.
Deadline for
submissions is midnight August 1, 2020.