![](//www.4rfv.com/images/no_image.jpg)
TVBEurope catches up with ACCESS:VFXs founder Simon Devereux and new European chapter lead Chris Kiser to talk about the need for a European-wide organisation aiming to promote diversity and mentoring within the visual effects industry
By Jenny Priestley
Published: January 26, 2023
TVBEurope catches up with ACCESS:VFX's founder Simon Devereux and new European chapter lead Chris Kiser to talk about the need for a European-wide organisation aiming to promote diversity and mentoring within the visual effects industry
target=_blank title=Share on LinkedIn class=share-linkedin>
In late 2022, non-profit visual effects coalition ACCESS:VFX announced plans to launch a new European chapter that will build on its mission to promote diversity within the VFX industry.
The new chapter is led by Glassworks' chief operating officer, Chris Kiser, with the support of ACCESS:VFX founder and director, Simon Devereux,
TVBEurope caught up with them both to talk about their plans for the European chapter, the need for mentoring in the visual effects industry, and how Netflix came on board to sponsor the new chapter.
Access:VFX originally launched in 2017. How has it been going? Simon Deveraux: I always say we started by accident. It was never the plan to launch a global movement. It started as an event in London off the back of the work that I'd done at The Mill, London, where we did a National Inclusion Week 2016, and we created this conversation that had never happened before about inclusion. After we delivered that event, the following year in 2017, UK Screen did a diversity survey, and we got into this whole conversation around inclusion and diversity. I just said, look, we could do this as an industry, let's do an industry inclusion week and that's what we did. We got a small group of studios together, planned an event and long story short we delivered the event.
Since then, we've been running loads of events. Not long after we launched Access:VFX UK, New York got interested, and then the West Coast came along and Chicago got involved. Now we have chapters in the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Chris and I have been talking about Europe for a long time. It's taken a while for it to get off the ground. It just felt like a natural move to do some good in Europe.
Chris, you were obviously already aware of Access:VFX, and now you're getting very much involved in launching it into Europe. Why do you think Access:VFX needs a European chapter? Chris Kiser: It was a logical next step in many ways. I suppose you can't go without acknowledging a Brexit factor in terms of suddenly the UK having more of a separation from mainland Europe as it relates to organisations and some of the logistics around what happens with what Access:VFX does in terms of activities and outreach and support. Glassworks joined as a member company as our headquarters is based in the UK, but since we have offices both in Amsterdam and Barcelona I started speaking to Simon pretty early on about what else we could do and what would we need to do to make it official and to plant the Access:VFX flag on the European side of things.
We kind of understood that there were legal requirements particular to the mentorship platform that meant we needed to spend some resources on laying the groundwork to make the platform available in what we identified as eight specific countries: the Netherlands, Germany, Spain, France, Italy, Belgium, Denmark and Sweden. With those eight countries, we can officially accept mentees from 18 and up and the platform can support them and do the identity verification and things required for this mentor-and-mentee relationship to begin. There's an amazing community of VFX artists and creators in Europe that branches across various countries, and so we want to make both studios and individuals that are in the industry aware of Access:VFX as a group and organisation looking to support and grow diversity in the next generation of people entering the industry.
What are your aims for Access:VFX Europe, and how might they differ from the other chapters that we've already talked about?
Simon: Chris touched on community earlier. I've worked for a number of creative sectors over the years. I'm always so taken by the community that exists within visual effects, animation and games. I would challenge any other industry to set up an organisation like Access:VFX. Try and do it in advertising and it just wouldn't happen because it's so adversarial. Look at any big TV show, or a piece of episodic content, and there's always so many different studios working on the same show on different shots. So that's the nature of the beast, we're all working towards the same goal.
With Access:VFX Europe, the mentees won't just get connected to European mentors from European studios. They can get connected to anybody from any of the chapters, because it's e-mentoring. So the way we designed the programme back in the day was you don't necessarily have to actually speak to your mentor. You share your work and you respond to it in your own time and whatever time zone you're in. I don't think the aims differ globally. It's just another addition to what is a really rich, creative community.
Chris: I agree. The only additional thing that I think is sort of unique now and differs from existing chapters is the language barrier and removing that and giving people who may not speak English or have limited abilities to speak English access to industry veterans that speak their native tongue. That is such a unique situation that I'm really excited about. There could be a mentor or a mentee out there somewhere that has been waiting to have that level of connection with someone and suddenly this creates that opportunity.
There's an
More from TVB Europe
26/07/2024
It provides multi-voltage output (14.4V, 28V, and 48V) through two XLR4 outputs and one XLR3, offering power to cameras, monitors, and lighting equipment
By Je...
26/07/2024
The lawsuit submitted by investor Scott Baker claims the deal would cost Paramount shareholders $1.65 billion
By Jenny Priestley
Published: July 26, 2024
...
25/07/2024
TVBEurope's sits down with Sotiris Salamouris, chief technology officer at OBS and Intel's EMEA chief technology officer, Jean-Laurent Philippe, to hear...
25/07/2024
John Schur, president, solutions group at Telos Alliance, explains why sound is just as important as video when covering a major sporting event
By Contributor ...
25/07/2024
From VR headsets to volumetric video, the Video Labs team at InterDigital give us some insight into how we might watch (and produce) the Games of the future
By...
25/07/2024
Writing exclusively for TVBEurope, Digital TV Group CTO Alex Buchan details a 5G Broadcast demo by TDF in the run-up to the Games
By Contributor
Published: J...
25/07/2024
TVBEurope catches up with WBD Sports Scott Young to hear how the broadcaster is ...
25/07/2024
Matthew Williams-Neale, VP of marketing, Appear, explains how broadcasters efforts are ensuring the excitement of live sports can be enjoyed sustainably, settin...
25/07/2024
How ITV Content Services brought classic films, including Carry on Henry and That Riviera Touch, back to the screen in glorious HD
By Contributor
Published: ...
24/07/2024
All award entrants will get a placard at the show for display, with winners receiving a further placard to display their success
By TVBEurope Staff
Published...
23/07/2024
Ahead of this years FilmLight Colour Awards, jury member Jax Harney, founder and...
23/07/2024
The BBC said it is running a number of Gen AI innovation pilots that will identify where there is real audience and operational value to be gained
By Jenny Pri...
22/07/2024
The 53,600 square ft facility features five sound stages and expands Amazons UK presence
By Matthew Corrigan
Published: July 22, 2024
The 53,600 square ft...
22/07/2024
Listing Canal in London reflects the company's international dimension, particularly as part of the ongoing combination with Multichoice, said Vivendi
By ...
22/07/2024
Danna Mann, director of marketing for TAG Video Systems, tells TVBEurope how innovation makes the media a thrilling career
By Matthew Corrigan
Published: Jul...
19/07/2024
Rick Young, SVP head of global products at LTN, explains the importance of innovation in driving audience growth strategies
By Contributor
Published: July 17...
19/07/2024
According to court documents, of the 8,196 assets that had loans outstanding against them when Arena collapsed, only 66 existed
By Jenny Priestley
Publishe...
18/07/2024
The company has not begun any specific transaction and has yet to bring in bankers that would initiate any such deal
By Jenny Priestley
Published: July 18, 2...
17/07/2024
The IBC Conference will last an extra day in 2024, running from 13th-15th Septem...
16/07/2024
Blackmagic-based workflows aim to enable The Look to provide colour, conform and finishing services for clients such as Netflix and Sky
By Matthew Corrigan
P...
16/07/2024
TVBEurope speaks to UKTV's creative director Scott Russell about the visual ...
16/07/2024
In its Global Entertainment and Media Outlook 2024-2028, PWC analysts suggest that by 2028, advertising will contribute almost 28 per cent of all the money that...
15/07/2024
2024 is a big year for newsrooms with a record number of elections taking place around the world, Ross Video details three strategies used by major broadcast ne...
15/07/2024
As Apple releases its Vision Pro in the UK, Jos Somolinos, solutions strategist & XR lead, Accedo, considers the future of spatial computing
By Contributor
...
15/07/2024
The 19,700sq ft soundstage is due to open towards the end of 2025
By Jenny Priestley
Published: July 15, 2024
The 19,700sq ft soundstage is due to open to...
15/07/2024
The latest issue of TVBEurope includes everything from Doctor Who to Baby Reindeer, The Fall Guy to Paris 2024, and a preview of IBC Show 2024
By TVBEurope Sta...
12/07/2024
The Super Milo can achieve speeds of up to 3 m/s on track and 5 m/s with combined camera movement
By Matthew Corrigan
Published: July 12, 2024
The Super M...
12/07/2024
The deal is scheduled to close mid-summer, financial details have not been revealed
By Jenny Priestley
Published: July 12, 2024
The deal is scheduled to c...
11/07/2024
Tim Moore, CEO at Vu Technologies, discusses emerging trends in the virtual production market
By Contributor
Published: July 8, 2024 Updated: July 11, 2024...
10/07/2024
Grusd brings a wealth of experience gained at companies such as Spotify, Google and HuffPost, said Nielsen
By Matthew Corrigan
Published: July 10, 2024
Gr...
09/07/2024
The partnership aims to provide better accessibility for a wider TV audience
By Matthew Corrigan
Published: July 9, 2024
The partnership aims to provide b...
09/07/2024
The Generative AI media software solutions provider said it aims to leverage the Agile Live platform as it shifts away from reliance on proprietary custom hardw...
08/07/2024
Vinayak Shrivastav, CEO, Magnifi by VideoVerse, explains how harnessing the power of data can boost creativity in broadcasting
By Contributor
Published: July...
08/07/2024
Once approved, Skydance CEO David Ellison will become CEO of the new company, currently named New Paramount
By Jenny Priestley
Published: July 8, 2024 Upda...
08/07/2024
The Wigan MP was previously PPS to former Shadow Olympics Minister, Tessa Jowell
By Matthew Corrigan
Published: July 8, 2024
The Wigan MP was previously P...
05/07/2024
The results of UK general elections are always eagerly anticipated and can make ...
05/07/2024
The upgrade enables rt1.tv to optimise its media workflows with AI-powered Avid solutions
By Matthew Corrigan
Published: July 5, 2024
The upgrade enables ...
05/07/2024
Both were re-elected with an absolute majority at the EBUs General Assembly in Cyprus
By Matthew Corrigan
Published: July 5, 2024
Both were re-elected wit...
05/07/2024
The statement follows the result of the UKs General Election
By Matthew Corrigan
Published: July 5, 2024 Updated: July 8, 2024
The statement follows the...
04/07/2024
ITNs Jenny King and Jon Roberts talk to TVBEurope about the work thats gone into...
04/07/2024
Arena Television collapsed at the end of 2021 with debts of £280 million. At the time it employed 63 members of staff principally based at its offices in Redhil...
03/07/2024
UK broadcaster Sky News tells TVBEurope about its election night coverage, which will include augmented reality, BATCAM, LED screens and more
By Jenny Priestle...
03/07/2024
Triangle Facilities Hub is based at The Sharp Project and plans to support the local area with in-house kit and education facilities
By Jenny Priestley
Publi...
03/07/2024
The two sides are said to have reached a tentative agreement with terms being sent for review to the special committee set up to evaluate offers for Paramount G...
02/07/2024
The strengthened leadership team aims to enhance EVSs ability to deliver solutions and service to its worldwide customers
By Matthew Corrigan
Published: July...
02/07/2024
The funding will accelerate DNEGs diversification strategy, said the company
By Matthew Corrigan
Published: July 2, 2024 Updated: July 3, 2024
The fundi...
01/07/2024
Simon Percy from Little Shadow talks to TVBEurope about how the animation studio used a mobile virtual production setup to create a VFX shark lab for the second...
01/07/2024
Mackenzie Jacobson, business solution manager at Imagine Communications, tells TVBEurope how she is adding to a family history in the media industry
By Matthew...
28/06/2024
The deal includes new protections around artificial intelligence, including an agreement that no employee is required to provide AI prompts in any manner that w...
28/06/2024
Natural human movement is extracted from video, removing the need for mo-cap suits
By Matthew Corrigan
Published: June 28, 2024
Natural human movement is ...