Meet our alumni
Jordan Fast - VFX for Film & Television
Original program: VFX for Film & Television
Alumni Information
School: LaSalle College Vancouver
Grad Year: 2011
Program of Study: VFX for Film & Television
Degree: Diploma
Employment/Professional Information
Company Name: Digital Domain
Location: Vancouver
Job Title: Lighting Artist
Primary Responsibilities: Texturing, Look Development, Lighting.
Describe a Typical Work Day:
Working on assigned work for film projects, attending dailies and meetings…and having fun!
What accomplishment(s) are you most proud of?
The accomplishment I’m probably most proud of was completing my demo reel, and all that I learned to create it. It has felt fulfilling that the effort put into my work contributed to being able to start my career in the visual effects industry. So far I have worked on shots for Jack the Giant Killer and I am presently working on Ender’s Game.
What are your creative inspirations or influences? Who are your heroes?
Photography, film, and nature have been my inspirations in my work. Some of my influences are directors such as the Coen Brothers and Peter Jackson, Blur Studios, Steambot Studios, and National Geographic photographers.
What do you enjoy the most about your career?
That I’m able to make a living doing what I love to do and always learning something new in the job, as well as the opportunity I have had to work and meet artists working at the studio.
How did your education at LaSalle College Vancouver help prepare you for your career?
Teaching me the fundamentals of 2D, 3D, and film studies and access to learning resources. Also introducing me to people in the visual effects industry as well as other people that had similar interests as me.
What advice do you have for people beginning their careers in your profession?
Pick what field you want to specialize more in, seek advice from professional artists who have jobs in the industry, and learn new material beyond what the curriculum gives you. A good goal is to set the quality of your demo reel as close to the work studios put out, that’s the kind of quality employers will look for in junior artists. It’s also a good idea to work with your classmates, since it is the first way to build connections and will get you used to working in an actual studio.
Your profession is constantly evolving, from the technology you use to new career opportunities that didn’t exist five years ago. What trends do you see on the horizon that will affect how you do your job or your profession at-large?
Vancouver is definitely the hot spot for jobs in the visual effects industry right now. There are a lot of opportunities right next door. Now that the big name studios are moving to Vancouver, that also means the standard and quality of work employers look for will also be raised.
