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I’m Belle Leuschke, a 3D Animation Producer. The ability to bring characters and stories to life through animation is incredibly rewarding to me; the journey and production of a film is my favourite part. I’m determined to pursue a career in animation/VFX production, where I can contribute to the creation of innovative and imaginative content.
Specialisms:
Production/Management
SHOWREEL
GET TO KNOW ANNABELLE
What was your inspiration for pursuing a career in Animation?
The Triplets of Belleville (2003) was the first animated film I remember watching. I was so drawn in by how weird it was and yet it fit so well with the story and characters. It made sense in such an odd way and it was the best introduction to animation for me. Seeing what is possible in animation to such an extreme, from the detailed character and set designs to the surreal nature of the animation and movements. French animation as a whole will always be my favourite because of how diverse and experimental it has always been.
What hobbies do you have?
My biggest hobby is reading, as it allows me to expand my knowledge of great storytelling, and concepts that I never would have thought of. It encourages me to think differently after each book I read and I try to bring that to each new project I work on. My other two hobbies, drawing and Lego building give me a space outside of animation for my own creativity, drawing is very freeing and I can do what I like. Building Lego is fun for me because I can just follow the instruction manual without having to think too much.
How would your peers describe you in 3 words?
Driven, confident, friendly
Do you have any industry experience? If so, please give a concise explanation of the experience.
I had a week of work experience at Unlimted Group, Soho. Where I worked closely with the animation team and learned their process for 2D animation while helping to overlay images for a Lynx commercial. This was my first time in a professional studio setting, so I learnt a lot about the daily functions, meetings and cross-department communication that goes on within a studio. I liked how busy everything was and everything had to be done 5 minutes ago. As the intern, I was sent sprinting down the corridors with post-it notes to deliver because emailing "took too long" - I thrived in that environment.
How would you describe your contribution to your group project?
As the Animation Producer for the project "Game Heist," I played a crucial role in ensuring good communication between the animation and VFX teams. My responsibilities included making sure animation shots were completed on time and implementing the feedback we received at each daily session. Working closely with the VFX team, I developed a schedule that coordinated with their pipeline, balancing time between asset creation, rigging, animation, and handover to the compositing team. Additionally, I collaborated with the VFX Producer to solve any problems that came up, keeping the project on track and meeting our objectives.
What lessons did you learn from undertaking your project that you'll take with you into your career?
One of the most valuable lessons I learned from our project is the importance of effective communication within a team. Clear and open communication was essential for ensuring that everyone was on the same page. I learned that regular check-ins, clear task delegation, and active listening were key to keeping the project running smoothly. Moving forward in my career, I want to focus on creating a strong foundation of communication within any team I work with.
What would your ideal first role in the industry be?
A great place to start in the production department of a studio is as a Production Assistant/Runner. In this role, I would have the opportunity to learn about the various aspects of production within the industry while providing essential support to the team. I'm eager to be involved in all stages of the production process, from pre-production planning to post-production tasks.
What's an achievement from the past 3 years that you're proud of?
One achievement from the past three years that I'm incredibly proud of is my role as the producer of "The Descent", a short film from 2nd year. Not only was it my first project as a producer, but it was also where I met a lot of my friends. "The Descent" holds a special place in my heart because it was a project where I learned so much, not only about production but also about teamwork and collaboration.
The sense of pride I felt upon its completion was immense, and to this day, it remains my favourite project that I've worked on while at Escape. Seeing the project come together, knowing the hard work and dedication that went into it, and being able to share that experience with my friends made it truly unforgettable.
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