Javier Cuellar

April 27, 2021

by Ria Benard with No Comment Artist Spotlight

Artist Spotlight

Javier Cuellar

Compositor | Lost Boys Alumni 2020

Demo Reel

What inspired you to pursue VFX/Compositing?

I think for many of us in this field (well I think so), inspiration came from films, especially science fiction and adventure films such as Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Blade Runner, and The Fifth Element. Those films moved my world and awakened in me, not only an interest in watching movies, but also of getting wanting to be part of making them. That is why I studied art direction for film and advertising, and later I felt that I wanted to become more involved with technology, which led me to VFX and Compositing.

What was the scariest or most challenging part of learning Compositing?

The scariest thing I think was the language. lol. Actually, for me the most scariest thing was leaving my comfort zone and learning a new program (Nuke) that at first did not make much sense to me. Once the weeks passed, the logic of the program had more relevance and I realized that it is an infinite program and with thousands of possibilities that really fascinated me.

What was unique about your experience with Lost Boys in comparison to your previous education?

By far it was feeling at home away from home, the trust and kindness of both the staff and my colleagues is something unforgettable and priceless. On countless occasions working late at night in the studio and having the freedom to take a break, play something, or watch a movie were by far things that I will never forget. Another great experience was meeting people from all over the world with the same dreams and desires. And the most important was the quality and rigor with which they prepare you at school to go out to work in this highly competitive market, to teach you that the true value of your work is in the details.

What is visual effects to you?

I like to think of visual effects as a juice machine, considering what fruits or vegetables you want to combine, you can make super delicious juice. I could say a visual delight for the eyes, that harmoniously combines an infinity of materials and files of different formats, both practical effects filmed on set or generated by computer, where the result is so real and attractive that when you see it you wonder if it is real or was created by someone on a computer.

What do you enjoy most about working in visual effects?

Definitely learning from my co-workers; that fascinates me. Seeing and understanding how everyone has a different ways of approaching a problem and solving it is incredible. I love to have a new shot and think of it as a new challenge and see what is the best way to do it and arrive on time with deliveries.

If there is one piece of advice you can give to people who want to pursue a career in visual effects, what would it be?

I don’t know where I read it but it is the note that is always in my head and accompanies me on a sheet of paper in my workspace is:

“By putting a date on a dream it becomes a goal. A goal divided into step becomes a plan and a plan supported by actions becomes a reality.”

And thinking that nothing is impossible is just a matter of perseverance and more perseverance.

Thank you, Javier! Connect with him now!

Tiqui Del Rosario

April 21, 2021

by Ria Benard with No Comment Artist Spotlight

Artist Spotlight

Tiqui Del Rosario

Compositor | Lost Boys Alumni 2019

Demo Reel

Credited on:

and many more...

What inspired you to pursue VFX/Compositing?

Growing up, I was exposed to all sorts of films and this got me really intrigued about how they were made. Jurassic Park came out and it inspired me to know more about filmmaking and visual effects. As a kid, I started playing around and making animated movies in my computer.

This fascination for the craft continued to grow as I saw the film trickery of the early 1900s as well as the movie magic of The Lord of the Rings, Hollow Man and the Matrix. These films continued to fuel the passion and curiosity I’ve had for years, so I decided to pursue a career in VFX.

What was unique about your experience with Lost Boys in comparison to your previous education?

I found the whole experience to be very personal and relational. You get to be in a small class with this diverse group of talented individuals who share the same passion as you. Being so few, you are able to truly interact and learn and grow with one another. I also like how the faculty provides feedback on your shots during screenings, as these definitely help you develop and grow as an artist. There is a genuine concern and sincere desire to see you succeed as an artist. Not only that, they really try to make you feel at home and help you with any and all concerns, including where best to eat and which improv shows to watch.

If there is one piece of advice you can give to people who want to pursue a career in visual effects, what would it be?

Working in visual effects is super fun but you also have to be willing to put in the work. Many have the wrong assumption that it’s all about creativity, without considering the technical aspect of the craft. Every shot is different, so there is always an avenue for constant learning and improvement. As with anything in life, you have to be passionate about it, and it helps to also learn other types of art, like photography and drawing.

What do you enjoy most about working in visual effects?

Aside from being able to work on really stunning projects, I relish the fact that I get to work and collaborate with talented artists and learn from masters of the craft. Everyone’s mindset is always about thinking of ways we can all contribute in taking visual effects to another level and producing work that people will appreciate and enjoy. And the dogs!

Thank you, Tiqui! Check out her demo reel.

Larry Ngo

April 16, 2021

by Ria Benard with No Comment Artist Spotlight

Artist Spotlight

Larry Ngo

Compositor | Lost Boys Alumni 2017

Demo Reel

Credited on:

and many more...

Visual effects is the process of artists turning wishes into reality. We can make something out of nothing and we can transform something into another thing.

- Larry Ngo

What inspired you to pursue VFX/Compositing?

From a young age, I’ve always had a passion for artistic pursuits and computers. This drive lead me to learn Photoshop and After Effects as a hobby. It became very clear that I had a strong affinity for VFX. Eventually, I decided to take a leap of faith and quit my previous career to see how far I could transform my hobby into my dream job. That journey began when I stepped through the front door of Lost Boys.

What was unique about your experience with Lost Boys in comparison to your previous education?

Lost Boys takes a very practical approach unlike traditional forms of education; it’s actually quite similar to how I work at my studio. I personally felt that this prepared me in a way that gave me an advantage compared to other graduates from other institutions. I really appreciate the relevancy of the material taught compared to my time at University where a wider breadth of education was required.

If there is one piece of advice you can give to people who want to pursue a career in visual effects, what would it be?

It can be an incredibly rewarding career. But it is a creative gauntlet that places you and other artists at different starting points. Everyone is dealt a different hand. Make the best of what you have, and embrace every opportunity. There is always something new to learn from both the
glamorous and unglamorous work. Aside from the work itself, be mindful and respectful of those you study and work with. It is a growing but still incredibly small and tight-knit community.

What is something you wish people knew more about VFX/VFX Artists or Compositors/Compositing?

VFX is governed by the Money, Time, and Quality triangle. Good quality VFX requires a lot of time and money. Unfortunately most clients want VFX to be done quickly and cheaply, which often results in bad quality VFX. I find that more often than not, bad VFX is a result of misusing the Triangle. It breaks my heart knowing the amount of effort, work, and stress a team of artists spend in creating VFX. So the next time you see some bad VFX, remember that there’s a good chance it wasn’t the artist, but a bad set of circumstances lead to that result.

What do you enjoy most about working in visual effects?

I love the creative struggle, the opportunities to solve unique visual problems with your own creative solutions, especially when you’re given the time to truly develop a shot. I also enjoy working together with other artists to assemble something even greater than one person could produce on their own. My favorite feeling is when you decide to go the extra mile and your efforts surprise you with a result that’s better than you imagined.

Thank you, Larry! Check out his demo reel.

David Koss

February 4, 2021

by Ria Benard with No Comment Artist Spotlight

Artist Spotlight

David Koss

Compositor | Lost Boys Alumni 2020

Demo Reel

Credited on:

and many more...

I've come to think of visual effects like a really good magic trick. It's about making people believe that what they are seeing on screen was filmed in camera, even if they know it's not possible. It's all about getting people to suspend their disbelief.

- David Koss

What inspired you to pursue VFX/Compositing?

What really inspired me to pursue Compositing was watching the amazing content that people like FreddieW and Andrew Kramer could make on their own, without access to special software. Of course it’s also because of the amazing VFX I saw in all the movies I watched growing up, but I never really made the connection that what I was seeing on screen was something that was within my reach. When I saw a small creator on YouTube making their own cool VFX content, or maybe just a clever edit of a well-known movie, it made me realize that maybe this was something I could do too.

What was the scariest or most challenging part of learning Compositing?

There was a point at school where I really wasn’t sure if I could learn and understand everything that I needed to. It felt like too much information too fast, and I was really worried I wasn’t improving at all. But then one day things just started to make sense to me, and I realized that I had been learning that whole time.

I really enjoy the creative problem solving that is inherently part of the job. No two shots are the same, so I always have to be thinking of new solutions for new problems. It's really great because I'm always learning, and every trick I learn is something I could use on my own projects in the future.

What was unique about your experience with Lost Boys in comparison to your previous education?

Looking back at Lost Boys, the thing that stood out the most to me about the whole experience was that everyone who was there wanted to be there. In my previous education, I never got the sense that the students or the teachers wouldn’t rather have been doing something else with their time and energy. It’s really great getting to spend a whole year surrounded by people who love learning and what they are doing.

What is something you wish people knew more about VFX/VFX Artists or Compositors/Compositing?

It’s tough to explain to people exactly what Compositing is. If you are an FX artist, you can say that you make the explosions, but the compositor would have to say they integrate the explosions. It’s easy to imagine the shot without the FX, but it’s tricky to understand what it would look like without any compositing done to make them fit into the shot. Oftentimes if the compositor does a good job, you won’t know that anything was done to the shot at all. This is especially true in the case of paintouts or removing objects, and the work that goes into them can be under appreciated.

If there is one piece of advice you can give to people who want to pursue a career in visual effects, what would it be?

Be as specific as possible with your goals. Decide on a discipline, and don’t just try to learn “visual effects”. It would be impossible to become a master of every aspect of visual effects, so don’t waste your time trying. It’s better to find one part of it that fascinates you, or that you really enjoy doing, and focus the vast majority of your effort into pursuing that as a career.

Thank you, David! Check out his demo reel.

Erwan Muro

January 22, 2021

by Ria Benard with No Comment Artist Spotlight

Artist Spotlight

Erwan Muro

Compositor | Lost Boys Alumni 2020

Demo Reel

Visual Effects is modern magic to me. It is an incredible tool that allow us to create the never-seen before, ridiculous, crazy, and awesome ideas. They bring concepts to life in a way you might have never imagined before, and in a way you sometimes can't explain! It is pure magic.

- Erwan Muro

What inspired you to pursue VFX/Compositing?

As far as I can remember, I always had an interest in film and illustration. I used to draw a lot, and as soon as I got my hands on a camera I started doing little videos here and there. It was just a matter of time before I discovered visual effects. I knew it was something big, something like I have never imagined before, and I instantly wanted to know more about it. Learning about VFX was somewhat of a ride, because I had to play around with Zbrush, Maya, After Effects, Cinema4D, Mocha and other programs before deciding that Nuke and compositing was “my thing”. It was like a world of endless possibilities and a chance to work on fantastic movies by bringing ideas to life, no matter how crazy they might sound. This is why I finally came to Lost Boys, where I knew I would definitely step up my game. And it has been the best choice of my life so far.

What is something you wish people knew more about VFX/VFX Artists or Compositors/Compositing?

I think many people don’t actually know what VFX implies, as well as all the different layers of work you can find in a single shot. That said, I understand it is a relatively recent line of work and it might be difficult to comprehend or estimate the amount of work put in there. It is hard to understand VFX for a delicate reason: by the end of the day, the shot has to look good, believable, amusing and entertaining in a way that the audience can watch and enjoy without even taking the time to stop and think of the work behind it. If our goal is to make it enjoyable and help the story, it is perfectly normal to “hide” the work process.

Now, I believe we’re having a democratization of visual effects. Breakdowns are more and more common, there is some increasing popularity on YouTube about Visual Effects and I believe that, very soon, I will not have to explain again to my parents the difference between compositing, rigging, modelling, animating, etc..

What do you enjoy most about working in visual effects?

If my work helps to create and tell a story, then I’m happy. You get to see tons of ideas and stories, meet talented people, and work towards the realization of a project. As I mentioned before, it is such a rewarding feeling! Knowing that you’ve been part of something that might inspire others, or make them laugh or cry… It means everything to me. Besides, there’s no formula to compositing, there are always different ways to tackle a challenge, or to represent or draw something. By the end of the day, you completed a shot and you helped in your own way, with your vision and your talent. It is hard to describe how awesome this feeling is.

What was unique about your experience with Lost Boys in comparison to your previous education?

Everything was unique. Lost Boys takes the concept of teaching to a whole new level. Of course, when we came in the first day we are all supposed to like VFX, and compositing, and we’re here because we wanted to be in the first place, but the never-ending impulse of wanting to learn more, this is very unique. And Lost Boys has this magic approach to teaching that is just surreal.

You have this feeling of being part of a family, not only by the kindness and the generosity of the teachers and other members of the staff, but by learning alongside other students just like you. Teachers were accessible nearly all the time, honest and helpful, considerate and humble. The atmosphere is so optimistic, so healthy and positive that you are constantly surrounded by the eagerness and enthusiasm of learning. At this point, it doesn’t feel like a classic teaching/learning process. It feels like something else. Something more.

As a final note, I’d like to say there was no competition, no jealousy and no envy, but genuine love and care towards other students, because we all worked for each other success: it was always heartwarming to see someone succeed.

If there is one piece of advice you can give to people who want to pursue a career in visual effects, what would it be?

I believe that visual effects are a never-ending learning process, and that might sound exciting for some and scary for others. In both cases, I’d go with the classic “never give up” message, because it might take some time to reach your expectations. But getting there is as fulfilling as the whole voyage you made to do so. There are hundreds of thousands of visual effects artists in the world but I have the feeling that we’re part of a small community, focused not-only in telling stories but also in helping each other. Ask away, practice, expose yourself to critics, keep up the good work, and you won’t regret it.

Thank you, Erwan! Connect with him now!

Rodrigo Sapag Novoa

January 15, 2021

by Ria Benard with No Comment Artist Spotlight

Artist Spotlight

Rodrigo Sapag Novoa

Compositor | Lost Boys Alumni 2019

Demo Reel

Credited on:

and many more...

I was never afraid or scared to learn Compositing because it is something that I really love to do. Lost Boys is the school where I felt I was getting closer to my dreams. And it is where I met people that had similar goals to mine. So everything was very special there.

- Rodrigo

What inspired you to pursue VFX/Compositing?

Watching a movie like Star Wars as a kid growing up really pushed me towards visual effects. In movies where you see things that are computer-generated like a spaceship looking so photo-real fascinated me. At some point I started to ask myself: “How can I use visual effects to create my own storyline?” And that’s what really inspired me to learn VFX so that I can fulfil my dreams of creating my own unique story.

What is something you wish people knew more about VFX/VFX Artists or Compositors/Compositing?

Not all artists have the same passion and not everyone lives with VFX in the same way. For some people it is just work and nothing more which is perfectly fine. You will come across people who are not driven to accomplish a certain dream which makes it a bit disappointing at times. However, you’ll always find someone that feels the same as you who are passionate about visual effects beyond the work itself. You may even work on small projects together if you have the time! I recommend to always stick with those people and that’s going to lead to a better way of life.

For me, visual effects goes hand in hand with cinema and it's a way to tell a story in a more magical way, giving people a good time and experience that disconnects from reality.

What do you enjoy most about working in visual effects?

What keeps me motivated is to see my friends and family watching the movies and shows that I’ve worked on and seeing them enjoying it so much. That makes me want to keep learning and practicing to be able to actually do great work and give them even better experiences. The idea of sharing what I do with my family brings me a lot of joy.

If there is one piece of advice you can give to people who want to pursue a career in visual effects, what would it be?

Simply, to go for it. Try to leave fear on the side and keep in mind that you can always learn from someone. It’s going be an endless journey where you won’t stop learning new things and that’s what makes it so awesome. Enter with the mind of being a student who continues to master their craft rather than one that only wants to arrive at the destination. May the Force be with you!

Thank you, Rodrigo! Connect with him now!

Elmoatasem Ragab

January 4, 2021

by Ria Benard with No Comment Artist Spotlight

Artist Spotlight

Elmoatasem Ragab

Compositor | Lost Boys Alumni 2020

Demo Reel

Tell us a little bit about your visual effects journey.

The first inspiration I can remember is definitely my brother. I would always see him drawing and making art in so many different ways. This opened me up to the artistic field as a potential career rather than the typical medical or engineering paths in most Egyptian households. Compositing was the most accessible form of art for me during this time. Honestly, I had so much fun doing it that I began to incorporate compositing into many short film projects that I made with my friends. I fondly remember trying to replicate a hologram shot inspired by Iron Man 3 when I was in middle school. With no clue how to pull it off, I hit so many brick walls which fueled my curiosity more and more. The process of problem-solving was so addictive and sent me on a spiral of online resources to learn the craft of visual effects. I have been in this same spiral ever since. However, I quickly realized I wasn’t progressing as far as I wanted. Since I didn’t have anyone around me in the same pursuit, it was so hard to get feedback to push my skills further. To break out of this plateau, I searched for a more specialized education.

Because you came from a generalist program prior to joining Lost Boys, what pushed you to come to a specialized school?

I just needed to find an environment for myself that allowed me to excel and nurture my skill. Because of the imbalance of disciplines and theories outside of the field I’m passionate about, it was very hard to nurture my compositing ability in the generalist program. Most of the time I was powering through and finding my own solutions to the technical roadblocks I faced with no guidance. In a more specialized program, I found myself surrounded by people who have the same discipline in mind. Each individual is problem-solving in completely different ways which exponentially grows the learning experience. Especially at Lost Boys, there was a strong guidance from my mentors that made a huge difference in how I viewed compositing. In my opinion, if you have a specific discipline in mind, it is always better to go to a specialized school.

Why did you choose Lost Boys?

I went through a very selective research phase as my bachelor’s program was wrapping up. I had already tried programs and courses of all kinds, but there was always something missing. Eventually, I found Lost Boys and it simply ticked all the right boxes for me. I first noticed the school was ranked as one of the top schools in the world for visual effects. When I talked to alumni and recruiters about the school, I noticed first-hand how highly regarded the school was in the industry. In those same conversations, I got a sense of a very strong, tight-knit community.

I learnt that the school functions as a studio with hands-on practical projects and feels more like a tailored mentorship-which is exactly what I was looking for. When it came to looking into the instructors, I found nothing but positive regard and an ocean of knowledge. The choice was very clear. I was ready to move to Vancouver for this.

There is an ongoing conversation about learning visual effects online over going to a visual effects school. In your opinion, is attending visual effects school worth it?

So here is my point of view on this subject. I have gone through online learning for so many years at this point that I can completely understand the argument of accessing online resources to learn. However, the main issue with it is not having feedback from more knowledgeable people in the industry or a clear trajectory of where you are heading. I like to say learning online is like progressing with a blindfold. You can feel the room and move forward with a blindfold on, but you can progress much faster and stronger if you have someone who truly understands the room to guide you through it. In addition to this, you move further along with an actual understanding of the industry ahead.

I also believe that this industry is really about connections which is non-existent in many online educational platforms. You can’t make the same kind of bonds you would at a visual effects school in an online format. Ultimately, the amount of progress you make and the position it puts you in the industry makes up for the cost pretty quickly! You gain the skills to push you through the industry much faster than if you were doing it on your own.

Some people find visual effects to not quite be an art form. Do you believe visual effects, at its core, an art form?

Definitely! I mean, art can be the interpretation of anything by anyone. A lot of things can be categorized as art and it’s very subjective 100% of the time. For me, visual effects is a very versatile artform that requires a lot of creativity, problem-solving, and technical skills to be used effectively as a storytelling tool. What is really awesome about compositing is its supportive and seamless nature. In a way, it helps everyone’s work come together which gives the audience the ability to suspend belief and be immersed in the viewing experience. It’s such a valuable tool, I think many of my favourite movies and tv shows couldn’t have been made without it.

Lastly, what is a common misconception of visual effects?

I think a lot of people see visual effects as something that is a lot simpler than it is. That misconception resonates with a lot of people because they never had the experience of actually working through it. Imagine being the cinematographer and not noticing the boom mic dip into frame. Then suddenly you see all traces of the boom in the shot seamlessly removed. It’s hard to understand what went into that one shot, and for a neutral audience, it’s not even considered if it was executed properly. There are so many hidden challenges you face as a vfx artist and the solution is different every single time. Even though a lot of tasks can feel repetitive or tedious, the best approach could be different each time. In the end, the amount of considerations you need to focus on to get something to look photo-real is unbelievable. It’s meant to produce a seamless result, so all the work that goes into it is very hard to understand. That’s why I love breakdowns because they give a taste of all the work going into every frame.