Interview with the Artisit: Am Villaindra, Pyrography Specialist
Am Villaindra, a visual effects artist hailing from Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia, has established a unique niche for themselves in the dynamic world of post-production. With a Bachelor of Multimedia (Hons) in Film and Animation from MMU University under their belt, Am Villaindra started their career journey as a rotoscoping artist in MFX, a post-production house based in Kuala Lumpur, back in 2005.
Throughout their career, Am Villaindra has honed their craft, working on a diverse range of projects, from TV series like The Mandalorian, Raised by Wolves, American Horror Story, Money Heist, Dark, and Kdramas, to TV commercials. They take pride in the challenges and personal development these jobs have offered in the TVC line.
Am Villaindra's passion for visual effects is not confined to the professional realm. They are an avid consumer of the genre, with a soft spot for sci-fi and fantasy series, particularly Star Wars. Classics like Citizen Kane and Vertigo also hold a special place in their heart.
When it comes to staying updated on visual effects and technology, YouTube is Am Villaindra's primary source. They also draw inspiration from a variety of TV series, movies, music videos, and TV commercials from around the world.
In the realm of software, Am Villaindra relies heavily on Boris FX's Sapphire suite. Their go-to tools are S_RackDefocus and S_LensFlare, which they find indispensable in achieving the specific looks needed for their projects, especially when working under tight time constraints.
Am Villaindra is not just a visual effects artist; they are a creative problem solver. Before diving into a big project, they conduct numerous tests to ensure they can deliver the desired results within the given timeframe. One of their most valued shortcuts is the `( tilde) key in Autodesk Flame.
Looking forward, Am Villaindra dreams of collaborating with renowned directors such as Quentin Tarantino, Zack Snyder, and Guillermo del Toro. They believe that working with these visionaries would provide invaluable insights into their filmmaking processes.
Am Villaindra's advice to aspiring visual effects artists is to never give up, especially in an industry that can sometimes be dominated by men. They encourage staying true to oneself in the face of criticism, as it is this authenticity that will set them apart.
During those long creative sessions, Am Villaindra fuels up with Nescafe Original coffee and Skittles, ensuring they have the energy to bring their visions to life. As Am Villaindra continues to make their mark in the world of visual effects, we can't wait to see what they create next.
