Meet Yilin Lai | VFX Compositing Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Yilin Lai and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Yilin, why did you pursue a creative career?
Initially, I didn’t pursue a creative career. I started at a general university in Texas, studying business, electrical engineering, and computer science. However, I realized that I couldn’t truly commit to these fields and felt quite unhappy.

The turning point came when I watched Doctor Strange. The movie made me realize how much I loved visual effects and how cool I found them. It reminded me of my childhood, growing up watching all kinds of movies. My father is a huge movie enthusiast, and he even renovated a room in our house into a small home theater. Watching movies with him was a big part of my upbringing.

After realizing that my passion lay in the creative field, I had a long discussion with my parents. I expressed my desire to transfer to an art school, and after some time, they understood and supported my decision. I successfully transferred to the School of Visual Arts (SVA). And that’s where my dream starts.

To this day, my greatest sense of accomplishment comes from seeing the work I’ve done go live. There’s nothing quite like the feeling of watching a project I’ve contributed to be seen and appreciated by others. It’s this continual source of motivation and fulfillment that drives me to keep pushing the boundaries of my creativity.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m a compositor, and I find that many people I meet aren’t familiar with what that entails. So, I often explain it in ways they can relate to, like working on green screen scenes or seamlessly blending creatures into scenes, much like what you see in movies like Avengers.

What sets me apart is my proactive approach to pursuing relevant industry experience since transferring to SVA. With a clear understanding of my goals, I began seeking out internships related to my field as early as my freshman year. Additionally, I’ve had the opportunity to participate in on-site work for various productions, such as serving as a production assistant for Michael Kors’ advertising shoot. These valuable experiences have provided me with hands-on skills and industry insights that distinguish me from others in my field.

Moreover, these shooting experiences have equipped me with more than just technical skills. I’ve gained a deep understanding of how on-site shoots operate, including knowledge about cameras and overall production setups. This knowledge has proven to be extremely beneficial in my work as a compositor, as it allows me to better understand the context and requirements of the footage I’m working with.

What I’m most proud of and excited about is when a project I’ve worked on goes live, and people ask me about my role. I’ll mention a popular show or movie, and when they realize that I had a hand in bringing that project to life, it’s a moment of pride for me. It’s incredibly fulfilling to see my work appreciated and enjoyed by audiences around the world.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
New York is truly a paradise for art students. As an artist, my first recommendation would be The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met). There, you can find many iconic masterpieces such as Vincent van Gogh’s “Wheat Field with Cypresses”, Degas’ “The Dance Class”, and numerous sculptures by Rodin. After that, a visit to the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) is a must, where you can marvel at van Gogh’s “Starry Night” among other incredible works. These two art museums never fail to inspire me no matter how many times I visit. New York also boasts some amazing Italian restaurants, and as a pasta lover, I always enjoy indulging in delicious Italian cuisine. In the evening, I would head to a jazz bar because I have a deep love for jazz, which resonates with my eclectic and spontaneous mindset. New York truly has everything, making it an unparalleled destination for any art enthusiast.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I believe the entire VFX community deserves a big shoutout. As part of the post-production crew, we do an immense amount of work that often goes unnoticed. While people may think that everyone gets recognized in the credits at the end of a movie, the reality is that only a fraction of the team is credited. There are many more talented individuals who contribute significantly but don’t receive the recognition they deserve.

In addition to the VFX community, I’d like to acknowledge my professors and mentors at the School of Visual Arts (SVA). Their guidance and support have been invaluable in shaping my career. They taught me the technical skills and inspired me to think creatively.

Lastly, my family, especially my parents, deserve recognition for their unwavering support. Their encouragement allowed me to pursue my passion for the arts, even when it meant changing career paths.

In summary, my journey wouldn’t have been possible without the VFX community, my educators, and my family. I am deeply grateful for their contributions.

Website: https://yilinlai.com

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yilin-lai/