The Access:VFX Podcast

01:29:22

Do Women Have to Lead Differently in the Creative...

The Access:VFX Podcast ·

2026/10/12

Women hold just 16% of leadership roles across VFX and animation. But what happens to those who do reach the top, and are they genuinely free to lead on their own terms?In this episode of The ACCESS:VFX Podcast, hosts Simon and Nene are joined by Tanya Ferguson, Executive Producer at Untold Studios; Marta Carbonell Amela, Director and Creative Director at Zauberberg Productions; Sophie Bell, Managing Director at Toast; and Sharon King, Producer, Story Producer and Development Producer at Awesome

en

01:48:20

Who Builds the Communities That Build Our Industry?...

The Access:VFX Podcast ·

2026/09/28

Every industry likes to talk about community. The word appears in mission statements, recruitment campaigns and social-media posts, but genuine community is not built with a hashtag, and it does not magically appear when people need it.Someone has to create the space, welcome the newcomer, make the introductions, organise the event, answer the messages and keep people believing they still belong, even when the industry gives them every reason to walk away. In this episode of The ACCESS:VFX

en

01:43:56

How Do You Actually Become a Leader in VFX and...

The Access:VFX Podcast ·

2026/09/14

Getting the leadership title is one thing. What happens when you actually have to do the job?When you become responsible for other people’s careers. When you have to deliver feedback you know someone won’t like. When you’re promoted and quietly wonder whether somebody has made a terrible mistake. Or when you discover that the behaviours that made you successful are precisely the ones you now need to unlearn. In Part 2 of 'How Do You Actually Become a Leader in VFX and Animation?' hosts Simon

en

01:57:31

How Do You Actually Become a Leader in VFX and...

The Access:VFX Podcast ·

2026/09/01

Working hard, becoming brilliant at your craft and earning a promotion should make you a great leader… right?Not necessarily. Being an exceptional animator doesn’t automatically mean you’ll be good at managing animators. Being a brilliant producer doesn’t prepare you for every difficult conversation. And being the most technically experienced person in the room doesn’t always make you the person others want to follow. So, how do you actually become a leader in VFX and animation? In the first of

en

02:07:11

I Followed All the Advice… So Why Am I Still Not Hired?

The Access:VFX Podcast ·

2026/08/17

Improve your reel. Network more. Attend events. Ask for feedback. Build your online presence. Keep creating. Stay positive.But what happens when you do all of that… and you still can’t get hired? This episode of the ACCESS: VFX Podcast began with a message from junior compositor and roto/paint artist Antony Buckman. Antony had sought mentoring, improved his reel, personalised his applications, listened to the advice and kept putting himself out there. Yet despite doing everything he’d been told

en

01:49:21

The Career-Launching Animation Competition: Young...

The Access:VFX Podcast ·

2026/08/03

How do you actually get noticed as a young animator?In this special episode of the ACCESS:VFX Podcast, Simon and Nene explore Young Animator of the Year UK, the free national animation competition that has helped launch the careers of some of the UK's most exciting emerging talent. Joining them are Tom Box (Co-Founder of Blue Zoo Animation and Young Animator of the Year UK Lead), Tanya Scott (BAA-winning Director and Young Animator of the Year UK Judge), alongside former winners Josh Palfrey,

en

01:52:48

What is Advertising in VFX.... And why does nobody...

The Access:VFX Podcast ·

2026/07/10

This week on The ACCESS:VFX Podcast, we're asking a simple question: Why does nobody talk about advertising VFX?When people think about careers in VFX and animation, they usually picture blockbuster films, episodic television or games. But some of the most innovative visual effects, animation and creative technology work is happening in advertising, and it's a career path that rarely gets the attention it deserves. Joining Simon Devereux and co-host Nene Parsotam is a panel of experts spanning

en

01:54:22

If VFX Doesn’t Work Out, What Else Can These Skills Do?

The Access:VFX Podcast ·

2026/07/05

If VFX Doesn't Work Out... What Else Can These Skills Do? What if the skills you've built in VFX, animation or games were never limited to those industries in the first place? In this episode, Simon Devereux and Nene Parsotam are joined by an international panel of artists, producers, educators, recruiters and entrepreneurs to explore why creative skills are more transferable than ever. From healthcare and architecture to automotive, property, education and digital experiences, the conversation

en

01:56:54

What we wish we'd known as a student at 16!

The Access:VFX Podcast ·

2026/06/22

At 16, most of us thought everyone else had a plan. Pick the right subjects. Make the right choices. Don’t fall behind. Except… that’s not really how creative careers work. In this episode, Simon Devereux and co-host Nene Parsotam bring together artists, leaders and emerging talent from across VFX and animation to answer one question: What do you wish someone had told you when you were 16? The answers are honest, surprising, occasionally brutal… and probably not what you’d expect. This isn’t an

en

01:35:33

My Kid Loves Games, TikTok, & YouTube... Is That a...

The Access:VFX Podcast ·

2026/06/08

What happens when young people spend hours gaming, editing videos, scrolling TikTok or watching YouTube?Are they wasting time… or developing skills adults don’t always recognise? In this thoughtful and refreshingly balanced conversation, we explore the growing gap between how young people engage with digital platforms and how parents often interpret that behaviour. Bringing together voices from games, animation, education and production, the panel looks beyond the headlines and asks whether

en

01:54:40

Mental Health, Burnout & Pressure... Let’s Talk About...

The Access:VFX Podcast ·

2026/05/25

What happens when the pressure of working in VFX and animation stops feeling motivating… and starts becoming overwhelming? In one of the most open and honest conversations we’ve had on The ACCESS: VFX Podcast, this episode explores the realities of stress, burnout, anxiety, self-worth, imposter syndrome and emotional exhaustion across the creative industries... and why we need to start talking about these things earlier. Featuring artists, producers, schedulers, support specialists and industry

en

01:58:17

What Studios Look for in Emerging Talent... And What...

The Access:VFX Podcast ·

2026/05/11

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

en

01:55:03

Is VFX a ‘Safe’ Career? Stability, Pay & Reality Checks!

The Access:VFX Podcast ·

2026/04/27

If someone asked you today, 'Is VFX a safe career?' - what are they really asking? Job security? Stable income? Long-term sustainability? Or just reassurance that it’s a 'sensible' choice? In this episode of The ACCESS: VFX Podcast, Simon Devereux and Nene Parsotam bring together artists, leaders and coaches from across the industry to unpack the reality behind the question. From Fraser Murdoch and Cat Gonçalves sharing the day-to-day realities of studio life, to Tom Box offering a studio

en

02:03:48

University, College, Apprenticeship… or None of the...

The Access:VFX Podcast ·

2026/04/13

University, College, Apprenticeship… or None of the Above? Part 2.If Part 1 explored the routes in, Part 2 asks the tougher question: what actually happens when those routes meet reality? Is there such a thing as a 'safe' path into VFX anymore? or is that idea already outdated? In this episode, Simon Devereux and Nene Parsotam bring together voices from across the industry: university, apprenticeships, and non-traditional routes, to unpack what each path really offers (and what it

en

01:43:25

What Jobs Even Exist in VFX? It’s Not Just Artists!

The Access:VFX Podcast ·

2026/03/30

When most people hear 'VFX', they picture artists creating explosions or creatures. But that’s only part of the story.In this episode of The ACCESS: VFX Podcast, Simon Devereux and Nene Parsotam challenge the biggest myth about the industry: that it’s all about art. We ask a simple question: if you removed every artist from a VFX studio, what roles would still be essential? From production and editorial to pipeline, IT, HR, finance and more, this episode shines a light on the many careers that

en

01:58:05

Love Drawing / Games / Films... But Is That Enough?

The Access:VFX Podcast ·

2026/03/16

Loving drawing, films or video games is often the starting point for young people who dream about working in visual effects, animation or games. But for parents and teachers, that passion can raise an uncomfortable question: is enthusiasm alone enough to build a real career?In this episode of The ACCESS: VFX Podcast, hosts Simon Devereux and Nene Parsotam unpack one of the most common anxieties families have when thinking about creative careers. We explore the difference between interest, talent

en

01:49:15

University, College, Apprenticeship… or None of the...

The Access:VFX Podcast ·

2026/03/02

In this episode, we tackle one of the biggest questions facing young people and their families: what is the 'right' route into VFX and animation?Is university the safest bet? Are apprenticeships under-rated? Can you still build a career without formal higher education? And is the idea of one clear, linear pathway already outdated? We unpack when formal education genuinely adds value; creative development, networks, time to experiment, structured feedback; and when it risks becoming an expensive

en

01:46:58

Should I encourage my kids into VFX & Animation?

The Access:VFX Podcast ·

2026/02/16

In this episode, we unpack what actually defines a 'real' career in VFX and Animation. Is it a salary, a payslip and a clear promotion ladder, or passion, purpose and meaningful work?We challenge the long-standing myth that creative careers are inherently unstable, explore the realities of freelance versus staff roles, and separate genuine AI 'panic' from industry noise. We talk honestly about resilience, boundary-setting and the truth about long hours; and highlight the fact that the UK’s

en

01:49:15

From Pixels to Plans - Why 'ArchViz' is the VFX...

The Access:VFX Podcast ·

2025/04/17

The ACCESS:VFX Podcast is back with a brand-new season, and this time we’re venturing beyond the world of Film and TV. In response to the evolving challenges in our industry, we’re exploring new creative frontiers and unexpected career paths in adjacent industries such as Legal, Fashion, and Architectural Visualisation. It’s a season dedicated to possibility, where VFX skills open doors in places you might not expect.In our latest episode, we’re shining a light on the world of Architectural

en

01:45:33

Bringing the Sass & Getting 'Phygital' - VFX in Fashion

The Access:VFX Podcast ·

2025/03/20

The ACCESS: VFX Podcast is back with a new season where we're exploring VFX and Animation roles beyond Film and TV, exploring adjacent industries such as Legal, Fashion, and Architectural Visualisation.With the current challenges in our industry, we know many people are looking for new opportunities, and this season is all about showcasing unexpected but exciting career paths. In this episode, we’re joined by four incredible guests who are leading the charge at the intersection of fashion,

en

All Episodes

Similar Podcasts

While We Still Can

Tina Langland and Lisa Rollison

I - On Defense Podcast

I - On Defense

Ones Ready

Aaron Love, Trent Seegmiller, and Jared...

Command and Control

Peter Roberts

The Access:VFX Podcast

ACCESS:VFX