LIGHTING THE WAY

Kristian Zarins talks the joy of following a big VFX project from start to finish

How did your career in VFX get started?

I started as a generalist, and I was very much into motion graphics and smaller production for television, before getting more and more into lighting. To me, lighting is the most rewarding part of any CG production, since it’s the step where all separate assets get together for the very first time to reveal the first glimpses of how the final imagery will look. When I started at Goodbye Kansas Studios, I could finally devote all my work to lighting and I worked on many great game cinematics. To become a VFX supervisor was in a way a logical next step for me. I really like to see the entire project come together, from A to Z. It’s an amazing experience.

What advice would you give to those looking to get started with VFX?

Passion for the craft is crucial to succeed, so start exploring the world from home, learning the software that is at hand, and maybe try to imitate a piece from your favourite VFX scene from a movie or series. Explore the world of CG, but always look for good real-life references. Even though it might be a stylised or alien world you're working on, it’s still good to look at the real world, people or nature to get something that people can relate to and to make the piece more believable.

A good education is also important. Schools are also a great way to get in contact with your future employer. Watch the credits of films, TV and games, look up your favourite VFX studios and study how they produce their work. One day you could be doing your internship there and later on be an employee.

What qualities, skills and abilities are essential to a VFX supervisor?

A keen eye for quality, but also the ability to listen to your team. You can never be master of all parts of a production, so it’s essential to make the best out of all the expertise your colleagues sit on in their fields of work. It’s also important to always have the full scope of the project in mind, rather than getting too granular on separate shots or assets.

What do you enjoy most about your role?

I really enjoy that mix of tech and creativity and the opportunity to work with so many great people. And it’s wonderful to follow a project from start to finish, to be part of that journey where the whole piece comes together. It’s a very rewarding feeling to deliver a game cinematic that you’ve seen grow from idea to final result, to watch that final result and feel you really nailed it!