Spotlight | Preksha Kumar, Lead Asset Artist Shares an Insight into the VFX Industry
Can you talk about the journey that led you into VFX?
Art had been my calling from a very young age, so it was natural that I studied it at university and further expanded my scope of learning animation and VFX; It was a fledgling industry with the possibilities seeming limitless. I was most fascinated by the symphony of art and science that this industry represented. My career started about ten years ago, and in that time, I have had the chance to work in various areas of the industry, from animated content to advertising, to VFX. My journey has been endlessly rewarding and continues to be so, and I’m excited to see where I end up working next.
What part of your job do you enjoy the most?
I love every part of my job! Having a chance to work on many projects with highly varying styles is one of the greatest and enriching parts of my career. Each project that I work on provides various challenges, both creatively and technically, which I thrive upon; from these, I learnt a wide variety of skills through which I can approach future projects, providing a fresh outlook. I thoroughly love interacting and collaborating with my exceptionally talented team across all sites, which helps me share innovative ideas and techniques.
What projects have you worked on at the Mill?
I’ve been fortunate enough to work on an array of stimulating and exciting projects during my time at The Mill; most recently, I was presented with the opportunity to lead projects such as AT&T ‘Just Like Charles’, Martini ‘Time Best Shared’ and Mirinda ‘Pass it on’. All three of these campaigns required their own unique set of disciplines and approaches which made them all the more enjoyable to work on. You never know what project may come through the door next, bringing their own unique set of challenges to problems to solve; I’ll never get tired of it.
What top tips would you give for those trying to get into the VFX industry in Bangalore?
Bangalore is one of the most talented cities globally; we have a hugely diverse array of individuals who are all willing to work as a team and share creative ideas; if you get stuck in and involved, you will see tremendous growth both professionally and personally. There are so many new technologies arising in the VFX industry; if you become familiar with these new disciplines, you will become a valuable member of any team and project leads will want you to work on their upcoming shows and campaigns. Finally, perseverance is a necessity. Be patient sometimes. It can take a bit longer to learn the skills needed, but it will feel even more rewarding when it does eventually happen.
What early career challenges did you face, and how did you overcome those?
VFX is an enterprising industry where everyone is perpetually learning. We must keep developing new skills and updating ourselves constantly to catch up with the pace of the ever-evolving industry. Initially, I struggled to keep up with the speed. But, after a little push, I found myself captivated by the myriad possibilities, both in terms of creative engagement as well as software and tool-based learning. This motivated me to be a continuous learner, which has helped my journey immensely.
What’s your favourite part about working at the Bangalore studio?
I love working here mainly because of the positive environment and how encouraging the team is! This team feels like family and is incredibly cohesive. The people here are very welcoming and kind; I genuinely appreciate their care for our life situations and goals, allowing us to work to our full potential.
What are the advantages of being in a collaborative workspace like The Mill, and how has working with your teammates felt rewarding?
The exceptional level of collaboration over at The Mill. It is exhilarating to be part of a team that works unitedly towards the same goal; we all strive for perfection within our craft and constantly share creative ideas to all grow as one. Above all, what makes this workspace a class apart is that each individual continuously learns and imparts their expertise to the rest of the team.
Want to work at The Mill Bangalore? Apply here.
