Johnny He

VFT Program-2019/2020

What education did you have before you took the Visual Effects for Film and Television course?

Before I came to Seneca for the VFT post-graduate study, I had a Bachelor of Design in Illustration from OCAD University. To be honest, I had little to none experience in visual effects. My focuses were centered around making digital paintings, namely, character designs, environments, and prop design. After my graduation, I was at a loss at what I could do with my art— which was then I discovered the art of matte painting in film & television.

Tell us a bit about your experience at the college.

Truly, the VFT program steered me towards the direction where I needed to go. Every moment in class I felt encouraged to do better. The learning environment was all-in-all very supportive and uplifting, regardless of how much experience you have. My peers were sharing their resources and knowledge; we learned from one another and the instructors were always there check in on your progress and guide you to improve.  

 Despite being someone who knew nothing about visual effects, I was able to keep up with the teaching styles and paces set by the instructors. Don’t be intimidated to ask questions & dig upon the wealth of knowledge that each of the instructors has to offer. Everything taught in the program are examples of everyday scenarios in the industry. There will be moments when issues arise when working on assignments and those are good signs! It’s better to come across those issues now rather than at work. 

 During second semester, it’s important to have a clear goal in mind. In my case, I was an aspiring matte painter. I truly felt that the instructors put in the effort to guide each individual, specifically and precisely, towards their destination. For example, much of my feedback were related to compositing/projection techniques and overall cinematic feel, all of which is vital to matte painting. 

 Above all, however, I feel the most important thing I got out of the VFT program was confidence in my own work. I was in a place where I felt lost and dispirited, but after the program, I felt much more hopeful with a newfound passion for film & television art. 

How do you use the education you got at Seneca in your job today?

You’d be surprised at the myriad of topics you may come across while working in the industry. It is within your best interest to be well-rounded in many topics because you never know what is asked of you. Myself, I work as a matte painter at Pixomondo; my main tools are Photoshop, Maya, and Nuke. What is expected from me is mostly traditional Photoshop painting, but that too, is prone to change. In this kind of ever-changing industry, be prepared to be constantly learning. I am now trying to shift my focus towards 3D environment art. As such, I feel Seneca was able to equip me to tackle all sorts of tasks, such as lighting, modelling, and texturing. The program gears you with a strong foundational workflow, which allows you to adapt to any software or 3D package.

What advice would you give potential students who are thinking of taking the course?

List of tips from my personal experience: 

1) One step at a time.
As someone who started from ground up, let me tell you that there is nothing to fear if you inexperienced. It’s simply impossible to be good at everything. Accept that you cannot learn everything, otherwise you will simply be overwhelmed. Be humble, open-minded, and take everything one step at a time, one problem at a time. Don’t rush the process, what is important is that you build your foundation strong.  

2) Have a clear goal in mind. What do you want to be?
The earlier, the better. Make every shot you do count towards your reel, but don’t be afraid to explore. It’s always better to have more to work with than less. After all, most of your shots probably won’t make the cut.  

3) Developing an eye for what makes a good image goes a long way.
Learn composition. Learn photography techniques. Learn what evokes a cinematic feel. It’s not always about how well you can “fix it in post.”  

4) Details Matter.
Creating art should be from within the heart. Find what makes you passionate and be willing to spend the effort. Too often do I see work that is far too rushed; it lacks the professional & polished touch. The details matter and people out there in the industry will appreciate it. 

5) Maintain a healthy balance
Of course, work hard at school, but find solace in other things as well. Have your comfortable spaces. Keep in touch with your family, talk to your friends. Enjoy time outside of school, whenever you can. Inspirations emerges from all sorts of places. Do not let work consume you. After all, it is important to have a free will as an artist.  

(Written in 2021)