Success Story: Mark Churchill

This week we have a former MA Games student, Mark Churchill, currently working at Factory 42 talking about his time at Escape and his career.

What course did you study?

Game Art Masters course.

What are you working on at the moment?

Currently with Factory 42 on a project I cannot currently discuss however, it’s very rewarding work. During the weekends I also work with a successful youtuber on his classic survival horror project, creating environments and hero props.

What work are you most proud of working on and was/is your most notable achievement?

Based on my public portfolio, that would go to my Silent Hill 2 bathroom scene. I’m pleased to have faithfully recreated such an iconic environment from the Silent Hill franchise. However, the work I’ve been producing at Factory 42 is showing me I have yet to reach my apex and I feel it’s some of my best work to date. Also, obtaining my Masters and making it into industry, it really is a dream come true for me.

If you had to sum up your time at Escape Studios in one word, what would it be and why?

Encouraging!

I spent a long time self teaching in Game Art and it felt so rewarding to know I’ve been on the right path to achieve my goal, to meet more like-minded people and generally evolve. Before then I was always second guessing myself and wondering if I’d ever be good enough to make it into industry.

What lessons have you learnt during your time studying and your time working in Games?

Not be too hard on myself and seeking out critiques. The great thing about getting input from other artists is that they often see something that you hadn’t previously thought about that can help improve your art further. Being able to obtain that kind of advice is so valuable to me.

What’s your favourite game and why?

So this would have to go to Resident Evil 3 Nemesis (1999). 13 year old me was trying to figure out what to do with my life and while I was playing that game, it suddenly clicked in my head. I enjoy playing video games, I liked to draw a lot and I considered art to be my best subject in school so why not consider a career in making games?