Studio AKA London Studio Visits

During the University trip to London we visited the animation production company ‘Studio AKA’. Some of their clients include Lloyds bank, Guinness, Bupa etc. Working within a range of mediums and aesthetics they have produced high end commercials which are seen internationally on television and online. Along with their multitude of commercials they have produced a range of animated short films. Their most recent short is entitled ‘Varmints’. At 24 minutes the piece follows the narrative of Helen Ward’s children's illustrated book also entitled ‘Varmints’. We were treated to a full viewing of ‘Varmints’ which was a great experience and pleasure to watch.

During this visit we were shown Studio AKA’s showreel and then shown a range of some of their well none and unseen commercials. Such as their well liked commercials for Lloyds and a piece which I wasn't familiar with for BMW entitled ‘Road Monster’. I really enjoyed the ‘Road Monster’ commercial as it was more in the style of a short film then an advert. The piece seems to represent the battle between the road and the car, as through out the road is continually looking out to find the week spot of the car to defeat it. The car manages to stand tall against the road monster and therefore showing the power and quality of the BMW. The piece is shot in black and white, I think the reasoning behind this is that with no colour the viewers attention is detailed on the action and brings the advert down to its bare essentials, which is the BMW motor. The voice over narrates this action and brings the ad together as a finished piece. Obviously aka’s experience and knowledge working and producing short films played in to the hands of this commercial. The commercial/short film, as a whole flows perfectly and seamlessly.






















After viewing these master works by studio aka we then were given advise in regards to our portfolios, showreels and advise on which ways are best to get ahead in the industry. Their main advise was to keep showreels short and only edit together some of your best work. Aka told us that a showreel that is to long and repeats content is off putting. They also said a good way to distribute your portfolios and showreels is online so that it is easily accessible for people you are sending it to. They also suggested to show the making of our work from early sketches to storyboard to animatic and then resulting in the final piece, they explained this is a great way for employers to see how you work and develop ideas. In regards to starting off in the industry they explained how they look for and develop graduates. Explaining that they take people on as runners who have an good design and creative eye, then possibly working their way through the company learning technical skills and creative thinking. One of the main things they discussed was that if they see talent they will try and nurture and develop that person. I think what aka were explaining by saying this was that, by encouraging the growth and development of young designers it can be beneficial to a company. As new, fresh, and creative minds can develop the company through changing times and styles. The technical side to things can always be gained by experience.

In concluding I found the visit to Aka refreshing and inspiring. Their work in my eyes did show they are technically matched with the best, but most of all that they are a able to visualize their creative concepts well. Overall the visit was brilliant and I think studio aka would be a great environment and studio to work in.