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

Sergio, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s jump to the end – what do you want to be remembered for?

I would like my legacy to inspire people to follow their passions and turn their dreams into reality.

I come from Bucaramanga, a small city in Colombia, where it’s uncommon for someone born there to work on major blockbuster movies. Over the past five years, I’ve had the privilege to do just that. Returning to my hometown and the institutions where I studied, I enjoy sharing my journey with people there. It’s a joy to see their faces light up when they realize I’m just a regular, working-class person who, through hard work and consistency, has achieved goals that once felt impossible. When people hear and see my story, I know they feel inspired to start working on their own dreams, no matter their starting point.

I want to be a model of inspiration, not only for my community but for Colombians and Latin Americans everywhere. By continuing to pursue new goals, I hope to open doors for others and show them that their dreams are within reach.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

For those who may not know me, my name is Sergio Rincón, and I specialize in animation and visual effects. My journey began in Bucaramanga, a small city in Colombia, where I developed a passion for digital art and storytelling. I pursued my early studies at SENA, earning a degree in 3D Animation, and later advanced my expertise with a degree in Graphic Design and a specialization in Advertising Design from UDI. With a dedication to expanding my skill set, I went on to complete a Master’s degree in Animation and VFX at the Academy of Art University in the United States.

I began my career in the advertising industry, working with top agencies like Ogilvy & Mather and Cheil Colombia. During this time, I had the opportunity to contribute to campaigns for major brands such as Coca-Cola, Dunkin’ Donuts, Claro, Milo, Mustang, and Samsung. These projects laid a strong foundation in animation, compositing, and motion graphics, skills I have carried forward into each new challenge.

In 2018, I was awarded a scholarship by Colfuturo and Proimágenes, which enabled me to pursue graduate studies in San Francisco. This experience opened the door to the international film industry, where I worked as a Postvis Artist at The Third Floor in Los Angeles. I contributed to visual effects for major productions like Uncharted and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Following this, I joined Perception, a leading design studio in New York, where I worked on title sequences and user interface designs for Hollywood blockbusters, including Hawkeye, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, I Am Groot, and Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.

Most recently, I worked with DNEG as a Motion Graphics Designer / VFX Compositor, contributing to projects such as Extrapolations (Apple TV, 2023), The Witcher: Blood Origin (Netflix), Spy Kids: Armageddon (Netflix), and Oppenheimer (2023).

In addition to my professional experience, I’m an active member of prominent organizations in the film and animation industries, including the Visual Effects Society (VES), the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, and the Colombian Academy of Cinematographic Arts and Sciences.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

I believe my journey is full of stories that highlight resilience. From the moment I finished high school, I knew I wanted to work in the film and TV industry. However, in my hometown, there were limited opportunities in that field, and no specialized education related to it. So, I made the most of the educational resources available to me and began my studies in graphic design, advertising, and 3D animation.

Eventually, I realized that to access larger companies with bigger projects and better growth opportunities, I needed to move to Bogotá. This decision was a critical step in both my personal and professional growth.

I always dreamed of studying at one of the best universities in the world, but I knew I didn’t have the financial means to make that dream a reality. Over several years, I focused on strengthening my professional profile by gaining additional education and experience. This effort paid off when I was able to apply for scholarships in Colombia, which ultimately helped me achieve my goal of studying abroad.

After several attempts and setbacks, in 2018, I was awarded a scholarship from Colfuturo, a Colombian institution that gave me the opportunity to study at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco.

Moving to San Francisco with my wife was a huge step, but it wasn’t without challenges. We had to adjust to a new country, language, and culture. Although the scholarship helped cover much of our first year, we still needed to find additional work to make a living in the Bay Area, one of the most expensive places in the U.S. My wife worked as a babysitter, while I worked as a dishwasher at the university’s restaurant, all while pursuing my Master’s degree. Despite these challenges, I was able to win the VFX Compositing category at the university’s spring awards, all while balancing work and study.

This journey has taught me that resilience isn’t just about facing challenges head-on; it’s about adapting, persevering, and finding ways to keep moving forward, even when the path isn’t clear. Through every obstacle, I’ve learned to make the most of every opportunity, and each step has helped me grow both personally and professionally. Looking back, I’m proud of how far I’ve come and excited about continuing to overcome challenges and make a meaningful impact in the industry I’m passionate about.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

Yes, my creative journey is driven by a mission to inspire others, particularly those from backgrounds like mine, to pursue their passions and push beyond what seems possible. Growing up in Bucaramanga, a city with limited opportunities in the film and TV industry, I had to create my own path. I want to show others that, regardless of where you start or the obstacles you face, with dedication and resilience, it’s possible to turn dreams into reality.

In addition to inspiring others, my goal is to constantly evolve as an artist and contribute to projects that push the boundaries of visual storytelling. Whether in advertising, animation, or VFX, I aim to create work that resonates with audiences, evokes emotion, and offers fresh perspectives. I want my creative journey to not only be a personal one but also a way to leave a positive mark on the industry and inspire the next generation of creators.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://sergiorincon.net/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sergiorincon_vfx/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sergiorinconvfx/
• Other: IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm12012475/https://www.artstation.com/srincon