We were lucky to catch up with Shuqi Chen recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Shuqi, thanks for joining us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

Before entering the film industry as a CG generalist, I explored numerous majors, ranging from music, physics, and philosophy to fine arts. When I was young, I had a special love for drawing, but my family neither liked nor expected me to pursue a career in the arts, as they considered it an unstable industry. Due to their opposition, I did not participate in any art courses or training before the age of 18. However, I realized that my only desire was to produce and convey my imagination and stories after hearing the speech of Graham Moore, who won the Best Adapted Screenplay at the 87th Academy Awards. After hearing this speech, I began to no longer evade what I truly loved, and I determined that art was indeed one of the most important pursuits in my life. I went to Skidmore College at the age of 18. In the first class, my professor told us that one of the most important things in life is to seek and actively engage in the industry we love. After hearing what she said, I secretly chose a painting course without telling my family. After the final presentation of the first semester at Skidmore, my drawing professor asked if I have an interest in art and intended to pursue a career in the arts, as he believed I was well-suited for the industry. So, after my first experience in a painting class, I immediately chose art as my major and, with the help of many people, decided to transfer to the School of Visual Arts in 2017.

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 am a CG generalist specializing in lighting, texturing and look development. As a CG Generalist, I am contributing to active projects and shots and following supervisor instructions to create high-quality works in a high-pressure environment while interpreting and transforming abstract ideas into compelling effects. I have had numerous opportunities to work on remarkable shows and films such as Fear The Walking Dead, Servant, Jules, The Good Fight and La Brea. Through these experiences, I have gained valuable knowledge about the industrial pipeline and built up my ability to handle multiple tasks under tight deadlines. I began to enjoy teamwork in the process of participating in these projects. When I saw everything I contributed appear on the screen, I could feel the collective daydream of myself and everyone else coming to life with astonishing vitality. It was a joyful and inspiring dream created together by everyone.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

As I mentioned before, the first time I realized that my sole desire was to create and convey my imagination and stories was after hearing the speech by Graham Moore, who won the Best Adapted Screenplay at the 87th Academy Awards, before I went to college. The impactful statement from Graham Moore’s speech, “Stay weird. Stay different. And then when it’s your turn, and you are the one standing on this stage, please pass the same message to the next person who comes along,” has been a great source of encouragement for me over the years, especially during times of difficulties and challenges. I am deeply passionate about creating my own works and, once successful, passing on this message to others.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being a CG generalist in the film industry is staying up late and completing the work with the entire team. Working through the night together, encouraging one another, and collectively bringing each story to the big screen are the most fulfilling experiences of my life. I feel a great sense of accomplishment when I can contribute to the team, assist others, and see everyone’s credits on the screen

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm14949139/?ref_=fn_al_nm_25
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shuqi-chen-548b73181/