UK sets up first visual effects film school

Ever-more sophisticated screen techniques in movies like Spider-Man have led to the UK’s first visual effects school being set up.

Escape Studios has been given the blessing of Oscar-winning director Ridley Scott who said it would help to keep Britain at the cutting edge of movie expertise.

The London-based project is being opened next month to address the lack of such facilities outside the US.

As well as honing expertise for the film and TV industry, it will also train the creators of computer games

All three are increasingly reliant on complicated visual trickery to create magical worlds or conjure up even mundane images more cheaply rather than constructing huge sets.

The effects have helped Spider-Man to swing between large buildings, allowed ancient beasts to roam the earth once again in Walking With Dinosaurs and made Lara Croft a household name in the Tomb Raider games series.

Many of the world’s biggest movies, such as Gladiator, Harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone and the James Bond series have had their effects and post-production work completed in the UK.

Escape chiefs believe that setting up a dedicated school will ensure Britain remains ahead.

Gladiator director Scott said: ‘‘The British visual effects community has some of the most talented people in the industry.

‘‘In order to continue this level of excellence, it is essential that facilities are developed to continually train the artists. The industry needs a school like Escape.’’

Escape managing director Dominic Davenport said: ‘‘The talent pool of effects artists has not kept pace with the huge growth of industry demand. Our courses are designed to attract the next generation of design and production talent working across all the creative industries.’’

Courses have been developed in association with design and post-production staff at the BBC and leading film companies.