Usama Siddiqui

VFT Program-2014/2015

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

My education before attending Seneca's Visual Effects for Film and Television Program was;
-  Bachelor of Commerce Finance Major from UOIT
-  Multimedia And Design Diploma from Durham College

Tell us a bit about your experience at the college.

I was very excited to join the Visual Effects program at Seneca. It was an intense 8 months, but every second of it was worth it. I learned a lot. All of the instructors were very helpful and went the extra mile to ensure we were able to learn as much as possible. By the end of the 8 months I was able to use all of the programs confidently and efficiently. 

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

The studio that I am working at uses Maya a lot. The instructors at Seneca drilled the fundamentals of the program into us so much, that when it came time for me to apply my skills in the professional world, I was able to finish given tasks in a productive manner. I was able to quickly  build upon the same skills taught in the classroom to become a better and stronger FX artist.

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

My advice for potential students would be to give your demo reel 100% of your effort and to never give up. There were times when completing a project felt impossible, but with a lot of hard work and effort I was able to create shots that I never thought were possible. Don't leave assignments to the last minute, because you can never predict what obstacles can come your way. Take advantage of the instructors that you have. They are very knowledgeable and will always be able to guide you in the right direction. Work hard and it will all pay off in the end. 

(Written in 2015) ​