We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful JuWon Lee. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with JuWon below.

JuWon, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?

Yes, I have been able to earn a full-time living from my creative work. My journey to achieving this success was not a straightforward one, as I initially pursued a different field of study before discovering my passion for visual effects.

My interest in visual effects was sparked by a behind-the-scenes documentary about a Hollywood blockbuster film, which showcased how technology could be used to create awe-inspiring visual effects that looked incredibly realistic on screen. Although I wasn’t sure how to pursue this passion initially, a friend later introduced me to the field of visual effects, and I quickly fell in love with it.

After researching graduate programs in visual effects, I applied and was accepted to a program at SCAD in the United States, where I majored in visual effects. Although I had no prior background in art or animation, I taught myself many of the necessary technical skills through online tutorials and reading and a lot of people helped me to learn and develop more in visual effects.

Since I have no background or connections the resources and network provided by SCAD were invaluable, as I gained valuable skills and knowledge that helped me land my first job in the industry. As a SCAD alumnus, I have maintained relationships with colleagues from various creative fields, and we continue to support and collaborate with each other.

In addition to my full-time job, I have pursued my own creative endeavors with a team of talented friends. This has allowed me to expand my skill set and take on more diverse and challenging projects, which have contributed to my professional growth and development.

Overall, I am grateful for the opportunities and support that I have received on my journey as a visual effects artist. I remain committed to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the industry and growing myself more as an artist.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’m originally from South Korea and currently working as a digital compositor at a visual effects studio based in New York. It’s not been so long since I started my professional career in this industry, but I’ve been fortunate enough to participate in a variety of film and episodic projects.

As a digital compositor, my job is to take various elements like live-action footage, CG, and dmps, and combine them into seamless, visually stunning shots that tell a story. I specialize in visual effects for film and TV, but I’ve also worked on commercials and music videos.
Besides that, I recently started pursuing my own creative endeavors as a team with my friends who are also Korean and working in this industry.

We’ve been able to build a portfolio of projects that demonstrate our versatility as artists and our ability to take on a wide range of creative challenges. I’m also proud of our collaborative approach to work, which allows us to draw on each other’s strengths and expertise to create our work.
One of the key areas of our focus is working with various 2D/3D designers and other artists to create visually stunning and immersive experiences for our audience.

Our goal is to build our own studio and produce high-quality, engaging content. Whether it’s creating a stunning commercial for a brand or developing an interactive experience for an exhibit, we want to dedicate ourselves to delivering work that exceeds our audience’s expectations.

Overall, I’m committed to delivering high-quality work that meets people’s needs and exceeds their expectations. Whether it’s through my work as a digital compositor or as a member of a creative team, I’m always looking for ways to push the boundaries of what’s possible and create truly engaging and impactful experiences.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

As a visual effects artist, I find the most rewarding aspect of my job to be seeing the impact my work has on audiences. Seeing my works come to fruition on the big screen is truly gratifying. It’s a fantastic feeling when people appreciate the film or episodic projects I’ve worked on.

One of the things I find particularly satisfying about being a digital compositor is having the opportunity to add the final touches that really make the visuals pop. Knowing that my work is the last step in bringing a project to life is a unique and fulfilling experience. Receiving positive feedback from clients or colleagues is also a great source of pride and accomplishment.

Being a creative person means having the ability to create something from scratch and share it with the world. It’s incredibly rewarding to know that my work has helped bring a story to life and evoke emotions in the audience. Additionally, watching my growth as an artist over time has been personally fulfilling.

Finally, being a visual effects artist has given me the opportunity to pursue a passion that I once thought was impossible due to my background. The personal growth and development that comes with pursuing a creative passion have been incredibly fulfilling, and I feel fortunate to have found something I’m truly passionate about.

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.

I totally understand that non-creatives may struggle to comprehend certain aspects of the creative journey, particularly if they haven’t personally experienced it. I can relate to this, having been in their shoes before I made the decision to pursue my passion for visual effects.

Before I started studying visual effects, I had a completely different academic background and had never considered pursuing a career in the creative industry. and I thought that creative works are only for gifted people and not for people like me.

Some people may have a natural inclination towards creativity or art, but it doesn’t mean that others cannot develop those skills with enough effort and practice. One of my good friends has always told and encouraged me that creativity and artistic talent are not innate qualities, but rather skills that can be learned and honed with dedication and hard work. I think this is a really important perspective, as it encourages everyone to pursue their own creative passions and reminds us that everyone has the potential to become an artist if they put in the effort.

While visual effects, art, or the life of artists may seem like a distant reality for non-creatives, I firmly believe that creativity is not a special trait reserved for a select few, but rather something inherent in all of us. Pursuing your passion and being open to new opportunities is a valuable lesson that anyone can benefit from, regardless of their background or industry.

Contact Info:

• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juwonlee94/
• Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm14482297/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk