RIDLEY SCOTT BACKS NEW UK TALENT INITIATIVE

Escape Studios, the UK’s premier visual effects school has announced the Ridley Scott Awards, a new initiative to seek out and support film, television and computer games creatives.

Award winning British director Ridley Scott who is supporting the awards has launched a new enterprise that seeks to reward and promote the very best creative talent in the visual effects and games industries. Ridley Scott, who used extensive special effects in films such as Gladiator, Alien and Blade Runner, said: "I am honoured to have these awards named after me. Escape's initiative is vital to the discovery of new talent for the UK's creative industries."

Together with Ridley Scott, Escape Studios has recognised that with the UK fast becoming a strong force in all areas of visual effects and games production, it is vital that efforts to encourage and develop the next generation of artists is maintained. For the Awards’ winners, the prizes on offer - which includes an exclusive training package at Escape Studios- will provide an enormous foot-up into a notoriously inaccessible profession; for Escape Studios, the winners will continue the flow of creative talent passing through their doors.

The Ridley Scott Awards comprises of four categories - Animation, Visual Effects, Motion Graphics and Games - with each of these individually sponsored by a key organisation from the creative industry.

The Ridley Scott Awards provide a fantastic opportunity for anyone wanting to enter the visual effects, games, television or animation industries but who doesn’t know how. Winners from each category will be given full training at Escape Studios; full copies of both Alias Wavefront’s Oscar winning 3D Animation package, Maya and Apple’s industry standard tool for digital compositing Shake, and an exclusive work experience placement with the corresponding sponsoring facility.

Escape’s Managing Director Dominic Davenport said: “Escape Studios are honoured to have the support of an industry luminary such as Ridley Scott as it only emphasises the importance of such an initiative and the benefits of industry focused education.”

Entry to the award scheme is open to anyone who is not currently employed in the fields of visual effects, 3D animation, motion graphics or games development. School leavers, college leavers and graduates or those wishing to enter the industry from other fields are all invited to participate. The closing date is Tuesday, 30 September 2003 and no entries received after this will be judged.
All entrants must enter online at www.escapestudios.co.uk in order to be eligible for the awards.

Escape’s Managing Director Dominic Davenport adds: “The Ridley Scott Awards are designed for those who have artistic skill but haven’t had the opportunity to be educated in the techniques and processes. These awards reward potential rather than accomplishment, a concept which is central to Escape Studios ethos.”
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