treehouse academy:
Eduction to Industry with epic mega Grant
THE PREMISE
Treehouse is proposing the expansion of a current successful programme, designed to support and maximise industry and education growth in the entertainment sector, by bridging the gap between the two.
Using the MegaGrant as seed funding, Treehouse would produce a collaborative short animated film created in Unreal Engine by students from BA Animation, Games, and VFX at Arts University Bournemouth.
❋ Lead by ExpertsLead by Head of Unreal Production, Paul Hilton (a seasoned academic) the initiative guides a cross-disciplinary crew to deliver both a professionally produced short film and a practical roadmap for integrating real-time filmmaking with Unreal Engine into university degree programmes.
❋ A Solid OutcomeProduced in partnership with AUB & Epic Games, the resulting short film will have a festival strategy attached, alongside open-source tutorials for an integrated real-time pipeline.
❋ A Tested PipelineOur first short will be directed by award-winning filmmaker Peter Stanley Ward and produced at Treehouse, a studio known for Unreal Engine productions - including work on Duncan Jones’ Rogue Trooper.
❋ A Supportive SpaceStudents will be provided real production experience in a controlled, supportive environment; a place to learn, make mistakes and develop.
about Treehouse
Treehouse is an internationally renowned film and creative technology studio based in Bournemouth, specialising in the development and production of original IP and high-end virtual production. Founded by local childhood friends, Treehouse has developed commissioned feature screenplays for four of the “Big Five” Hollywood studios, ensuring the team remains firmly imbedded in major US studios and international producers across Europe. Produced using Maya and Unreal Engine, and serviced from Treehouse’s local studio, the Liberty/Rebellion project Rogue Trooper has employed a large cohort of UK Talent, including graduates from AUB, BU and Bournemouth and Poole College. The picture is set for worldwide release in 2026.
Treehouse’s original feature Play Dead — developed and written in Bournemouth — is currently in post-production following an international shoot in Melbourne, Australia, directed by Jaumé Collet-Serra and co-produced by Sam Raimi. Through its wholly owned VFX and virtual production subsidiary, Treehouse also services major international productions in film and HETV from its cloud-based studio
a tested formula
We’ve been working closely with Universities on the South Coast since 2016, when AUB students contributed to our BFI-funded short LITTERBUGS by supporting post-production work, including painting out puppet rigs, providing early, hands-on experience within a professional pipeline.
In 2023, using Arts University Bournemouth as a base, 13 students and recent graduates from multiple education facilities across the Bournemouth and Poole were given a paid summer internship, creating assets for the Engine-driven animated feature, ROGUE TROOPER, directed by Duncan Jones. As a result of the placement, two students from the course were taken on full-time as Generalists at Treehouse until project end.
Treehouse’s current programme offers in-term work experience to 12 Arts University Bournemouth students, working across multiple courses and year groups. The team are working on asset creation for a Treehouse original, LET’S PLAY, co-produced by Steven Schinder and Jeff Robinov and created in Unreal Engine.
Having learnt from previous iterations of the project, Treehouse are now confident in the current version. Seed funding from the MegaGrant will ensure the initiative can grow the number of students involved, the number of educational facilities supported, and run continuously - creating as many opportunities for the students as possible.
core team
Paul hilton
Paul Hilton is Head of Unreal Production at Treehouse. He has over 20 years’ experience in higher education, having taught across BA and MA Animation programs at AUB. He led the AUB VFX course in its first three years, achieving 100% student satisfaction in the NSS for its inaugural cohort.
Alongside his academic career, Paul has worked as a freelance artist since 2004. Since joining Treehouse in 2022, he has led the Environment Team, delivering Duncan Jones’ vision for the Unreal-driven feature film Rogue Trooper. He continues to support AUB as a visiting tutor and is committed to strengthening the relationship between educational facilities and Treehouse.
Head of Unreal Production
Chris musselwhite
Treehouse Co-Founder and Company Director, Chris Musselwhite is a Producer and Executive Producer, with over 20 years’ experience in the film and television industry. With his partners at Treehouse, he has delivered ground-breaking virtual production services to the major studios and streamers, which lead the team to establish Treehouse VFX, servicing the post-production industry.
He and the team have also developed a slate of original IP, the latest of which is currently in post-production and due for international release this year. Chris is represented in the US by Kaplan/Perrone Management and United Talent Agency.
Producer, Treehouse Co-Founder
Studio ManagerClare lancefield
Clare is Studio Manager at Treehouse, with over ten years’ experience producing projects across advertising, events and film production, from early concept through to delivery. Her work focuses on emerging production methods, with an emphasis on practical, sustainable workflows for small and medium-sized teams.
She brings strong production skills, including budgeting, funding applications, scheduling and partnerships, and has worked with UK and international collaborators. Clare is committed to retaining creative and technical work within the UK. Through the company’s activity, she aims to widen access to animation production, support early-career creatives, and encourage knowledge-sharing and sustainable filmmaking.
