We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Yu Shu a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Yu, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

I am currently employed as a full-time 3D animator at Epic Games. My journey began when I graduated from The School of Visual Arts with a major in Computer Arts in 2022 and started job hunting. Aiming to be a game animator, I enrolled in the iAnimate game workshop to improve my animation skills. While taking the classes, I was doing an unpaid internship which was also a game project. It was a great experience and I learned more about how game engines work and build my connections within the industry. Later that year I was lucky enough to receive an interview with Epic’s intern program. In school, I used Unreal Engine a lot for personal projects and also for my thesis. Transitioning from intern to full-time staff member was a significant milestone, and I am grateful for the opportunity. I really enjoy my position where I get to improve my animating skill and also learn technical skills beyond animation.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I was studying 2D animation at The Central Academy of Fine Art before I devoted myself to 3D at SVA. Animation, for me, has always been a captivating medium for storytelling. As an animator, I find joy in ideation, crafting camera movements, and storytelling. Animators direct character’s acting in the shot and sometimes just a subtle movement can carry huge emotions and resonate deeply with the audience.I take pride in my focus and troubleshooting abilities. When I am drawing or animating, time seems to slip away effortlessly. When facing technical issues during work, my curiosity drives me to run tests and research every resource I have. The satisfaction derived from solved issues or even just uncovering clues is gratifying. Beyond my full time job, I have a passion for game development. Outside of work hours, I dive into tutorials and practice within unreal, further enriching my skill set and nurturing my love for creating.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

As an international student,I’ve encountered significant cultural disparities between Chinese and American customs. In China the ethos of modesty is deeply ingrained, students are taught from a young age to avoid boasting or standing out. It’s a traditional virtue upheld throughout society. Conversely, American students are encouraged to embrace their individuality and be confident to showcase their work and accept compliments with ease. It also reflects in entertainment, if you ever watched Chinese stand up comedy, 80% of the jokes are self-deprecating. Another significant difference is, interrupting an ongoing conversation is considered as impolite in Chinese culture. Conversely, in the US, individuals often welcome newcomers into discussions and generously share their perspectives. Adapting to this cultural shift required a period of adjustment for me, as I learned to engage more actively in conversations rather than solely assuming the role of an attentive listener.”

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

In conversations with my non-creative friends, I’ve noticed a common belief that artists have their life goals figured out from a young age, leading to less confusion in their lives. However, the reality is quite different. Many artists, myself included, face uncertainty when entering society.
Art, for me, is a means of storytelling—a tool to express thoughts using various materials and mediums. Yet, finding the right medium for creativity involves experimentation and self-questioning. Many young artists share this sense of uncertainty, unsure which path to take.
Additionally, stable employment in the arts industry is hard to come by. Most opportunities are freelance or contract-based, making it challenging for artists to secure stable positions that align with their passions. Even for those with full-time jobs, balancing personal interests with professional obligations is a constant struggle, often leading to doubts about whether they’re truly following their passion or just fulfilling a necessity.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.yuwantatail.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sophieyuart/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yushuart/

Image Credits

Scar film, by Yu Shu and Xinyi Xu.