NEW YORK — Oct. 2, 2008 — Students now have access to world-class training in Autodesk Maya at the click of a mouse, with the launch of Escape Studios’ revolutionary computer graphics (CG) online learning tool. Featuring dynamic and customizable HD content taught by the industry’s most talented production professionals, Escape’s new online training tool offers an unprecedented learning experience for a wide range of students – from beginners to seasoned production professionals. For more information on Escape’s Maya Core online courseware, or to access two-and-a-half hours of free 3D tutorials and courseware, please visit http://www.escapestudios.com/en_GB/school/maya-core.html.

“Training the next generation of CG creative’s via the internet is a very exciting development for us and for the industry,� says Dominic Davenport, founder and CEO of Escape Studios. “When people learn things the right way from the start, as they do in our program, they are prepared for any production challenges they might face.�

Escape’s online training program is designed to be both flexible and robust allowing entry-level students or those wanting to re-train to learn in their own time and at their own pace, and receive instant help from Escape’s online community. Aspects of the course can be mixed and matched depending on the required focus, providing an ideal opportunity for established industry professionals to create a custom course for furthering their skills. The system is also available to art schools, colleges and universities, where it can be integrated into the curriculum or used as a learning resource for students.

Robin Shenfield, CEO of Oscar®-winning studio The Mill, is a supporter of the school and employs many Escape graduates. “Escape trainees are in a class of their own and are well-equipped to enter the working environment,â€? says Shenfield. “We’re looking forward to meeting more of them with the launch of Escape’s online learning tool.â€?

Pricing and Availability
The Escape Autodesk Maya Core course contains nearly 70 hours of instruction and is available at a special price of USD $1,800 for a limited time. In conjunction with the launch, Escape is giving prospective students the opportunity to learn more about the program’s approach and quality by offering two-and-a-half hours of 3D tutorials in a free trial course. For more information or to register please visit http://www.escapestudios.com/en_GB/school/maya-core.html.

About Escape Studios
Founded in 2002 and based in London, Escape Studios is the number one choice for developing a successful career in the CG industry. Escape’s teaching staff includes some of the industry’s most talented film, games and animation professionals; instructors hail from world-renowned facilities such as Pixar, Sony, MPC and Cinesite. Graduates, or “Escapees,� have been placed in facilities ranging from Rockstar Games to the BBC and The Mill, and worked on some of the industry’s most high-profile projects including The Golden Compass, 10,000BC, The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian, and Harry Potter: The Order of the Phoenix. For more information on Escape please visit www.escapestudios.com.

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© 2008 Escape Studios. All products or brand names mentioned are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

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Reader Contact:
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Ed Caracappa, ed@escapestudios.com, (212) 965-0313