Media training hub The Pipeline nurtures 20 graduate animators from across the UK at bespoke ScreenSkills bootcamp

Funded by industry-led skills body ScreenSkills, the bespoke training programme was produced in partnership with the UK’s largest animation festival Manchester Animation Festival and independent multi-genre animation studio Factory Create.

The jam-packed agenda included sessions on the role of an art director with 2D illustration and animator Tanya Scott and a spotlight on the role of a production coordinator with animator for legendary children’s tv show The Clangers Jo Chalkley and experienced line producer at Factory Create Hannah Ferguson.

Plus there was even a session on Animation’s Rising Stars, featuring upcomers Ellie Hamer, Holly McDowell, Beth Bentham and Chris Fraser, all successful alumni from the University of Salford.  

Beth Hewitt, Creative Director – MediaCity Directorate, said: "It was great to produce these sessions with the animation industry and to further develop our collaborations with Manchester Animation Festival and Factory Create.

“To hear the animation experts talking with our alumni hosts, Ben Young and Larisa Covaciu, and the 20 participants was fantastic. I'm delighted that The Pipeline produced this event working with so many talented people across the two days!"

The intensive bootcamp was a resounding success with participants making comments like:

“All of the speakers were amazing and insightful - I can't have asked for a better experience learning from some great members of the industry”

“There's been an encouraging atmosphere with people really dedicated to support juniors in our industry and it's given me hope to see how supportive all the speakers were”.

The Pipeline, based at the heart of MediaCity, is driven on meeting the skills demands in the burgeoning content creation industries. They have a suite of courses (Audio, Career Development, Craft, Vision and High Caffeine Masterclasses) running with multiple start dates across the year as well as bespoke delivery of commissioned training.