Stephanie Soong hadn’t even completed her 3D modeling course when she came upon she received a coveted place within the Pixar Undergraduate Program (PUP): a 12-week Pixar internship that prepares you for a Technical Director job. She’d taken a giant threat leaving a gradual profession in healthcare to pursue her inventive pursuits, and in true Disney type, the leap of religion paid off!
Stephanie tells what impressed her to alter careers, how she ready her Pixar internship portfolio, and the way her CG Spectrum mentors supported her all through the appliance and interview course of with Pixar Animation Studios.
3D artwork by CG Spectrum pupil Stephanie Soong (Authentic idea: Disegnata)
Stephanie, you had already established a really profitable profession in healthcare, how did your profession change to 3D modeling come about?
I re-watched Courageous at a pivotal second in my life. On the time, I used to be 27 years previous and had achieved each profession aim in healthcare that my Asian mom set out for me.
I used to be working at one of many prime 10 hospitals in america constructing high quality enchancment initiatives. I had a excessive wage, nice medical health insurance, and a pension plan. That is what desires are product of, proper?
Nevertheless, I nonetheless discovered myself questioning why I used to be deeply sad and if I used to be meant to do one thing else.
When Merida stated, “Our destiny lives inside us, you solely must be courageous sufficient to see it”, I broke down and realized I too wanted to search out my very own path.
Thus started my very own model of preventing for my very own hand in marriage and taking management of my future.
Stephanie resonated with Courageous’s Merida (Picture: Disney Pixar)
For the subsequent three years, I launched into a journey to discover different alternatives. I methodically examined 9 creative profession paths together with: youngsters’s e book illustration, comedian e book writing, images, idea artwork, UX/UI, canvas portray, graphic design, and 3D modeling.
I found 3D modeling is the ‘Ellie’ to my Carl from UP; it’s the dream match. The technical aspect of me enjoys manipulating shapes to construct exact, correct depictions of the third dimension. On the identical time, the creativity concerned in bringing the magic, sass, quirk, and/or whimsy to a static character fills me with the utmost pleasure.
Your bravery paid off once you have been chosen as certainly one of solely 9 PUP interns out of hundreds of candidates – congratulations! Are you able to stroll us by way of the Pixar internship software course of?
Maxine Schnepf [CG Spectrum’s Career Development Manager] performed an enormous function in constructing my software. She helped convert my healthcare resume right into a 3D modeling one.
Her finest recommendation on get an internship at Pixar was to incorporate a private goal assertion, listing of 3D expertise that included key phrases talked about within the Pixar internship software, and emphasize that I’ve skilled expertise working remotely (which I do) since Pixar’s 2021 internship is digital in any case.
In tandem, my mentor, Alex Lori, wrote a wonderful advice letter depicting what I’m like as a curious learner and the way he sees me uniquely contributing to the artwork business.
Once I was lucky sufficient to get an interview with Pixar, Spectra, a CG Spectrum mentor who beforehand was a Pixar intern, gave me detailed pointers particular to Pixar’s interview course of.
Moreover, Maxine carried out a mock interview and gave me direct suggestions on enhance every reply I supplied. It was precious apply that helped me nail the interview with a big panel of Pixar staff.
What went by way of your thoughts once you came upon you have been profitable?
Once I came upon I received the Pixar internship, I squealed and instantly began crying. In my cowl letter, I used to be trustworthy about my tumultuous journey navigating my profession. I went from finding out nursing, to doing high quality enchancment, then founding and working an ecommerce enterprise & dwelling overseas, to lastly dabbling in artwork.
I used to be shocked and so humbled that Pixar noticed me for who I used to be and nonetheless needed me regardless of my non-linear path.
I felt undeserving and suffered from imposter syndrome for some time earlier than I got here round to being thrilled concerning the internship. I legitimately can’t comprehend how I went from being depressed working in healthcare to touchdown a place with Pixar.
It’s unbelievable and an absolute DREAM. COME. TRUE. I by no means imagined I’d be right here!
I’m extremely grateful for my important different, mentors, pals, household, and fellow supportive college students who helped get me to the place I’m immediately. It really takes a village.
You hadn’t even completed your 3D modeling course earlier than getting the Pixar internship! Are you able to inform us about your expertise at CG Spectrum?
I used to be having problem plucking up the braveness to make a profession transition into 3D modeling. Previous to beginning at CG Spectrum (CGS), I messaged Jeremy Chinn, COO of CGS, on LinkedIn with a listing of anxious questions starting from, “What’s 3D modeling?” to “What are the post-grad job prospects in getting a modeling place with a excessive wage?”; you understand, questions a typical, overbearing, Asian mum or dad would have.
I used to be shocked he responded and impressed that he answered each query completely and truthfully. Not as soon as did he attempt to promote me on the college. As a substitute, he helped handle my expectations concerning the business and mentally ready me for the exhausting work forward ought to I select this path.
This theme of honesty, deep caring, and actionable suggestions carried on all through my expertise as a pupil right here at CG Spectrum.
My CGS mentors, Alex Lori, Rob Lodermeier, Justin Mohlman, and Hong Chan Lim, supplied important, in-depth constructive suggestions on my portfolio items.
They helped educate me obtain good design, clear silhouettes, cohesive coloration tales, balanced composition, and aesthetic enchantment.
As well as, they shared an unbelievable quantity of information concerning the animation pipeline, construct a powerful modeling portfolio, profession recommendation, necessary smooth expertise, and essential life classes realized within the movie and gaming industries. They’ve formed me into the artist I’m immediately.
If my mentors are studying this, thanks for letting me bug you with my incessant, aggressively curious questions concerning the business!
I hope I’ve been an honest sponge absorbing all the pieces you’ve thrown my means!
One of many initiatives you included in your Pixar internship portfolio was a warrior you created in your 3D modeling class. What is the story behind this Disney-style character?
Designing the Warrior was definitely a memorable studying expertise. I needed to problem myself to create a stylized, “Pixar/Disney” model of Brandon Reimchen’s warrior idea (beneath).
My inspiration got here from Storm and Loish. I initially struggled with mix these types in an aesthetically pleasing means, whereas staying true to the idea artwork.
My aim was to create a “fairy-like” warrior, however with a feisty, headstrong aspect.
I began out sculpting typical sturdy thighs and buff arms, however quickly thinned out her silhouette. I needed to exhibit that regardless of her “fairy-like”, slender physique form, her inside ferocity is the actual pressure to be reckoned with.
At one level, I gave up on my preliminary concept of white hair fading into aqua as a result of nothing appeared to work with it. I even had a model the place she was bald, had a bullring piercing, black clothes, and latex boots; I used to be shedding sight of my aim.
After researching and looking out by way of style blogs, I ultimately discovered Nyane and cherished her type. I made a decision to alter her hair again to the unique white & aqua and use the identical coloration scheme for her clothes.
Then, I added a colourful, warm-toned tattoo sleeve to distinction her cool tones, spherical out her warrior qualities, and add that distinctive “pop”. The iterative design course of helped to create a cohesive look.
The place else do you get inspiration? The place do you search for reference?
Except for being a humongous fan of all Pixar and Disney films, I don’t actually observe any specific artists religiously. Once I attain a degree in my undertaking the place I’m looking for reference pictures, I’ll often do my analysis on Pinterest and choose random items of artwork that I feel would resonate strongly with that particular undertaking.
I usually attempt to keep away from spending an excessive amount of time on social media platforms. I’ve found that the extra time I spend scrolling, the extra time I spend both 1) evaluating myself to others and feeling down or 2) attempting to imitate artwork that will get probably the most ‘likes’.
By avoiding social media, I’m in a position to shield that small, genuine piece of me and protect that inventive, childlike marvel.
What are your favourite Pixar films, and why?
There’s means too many. My child aspect loves The Incredibles. My Chinese language aspect is superbly represented in Bao. My wanderlust, gourmand aspect needs to be Remy from Ratatouille. My creative aspect is in awe of Toy Story 4. And my coronary heart belongs to Soul.
Remaining undertaking creating through the 2017 Pixar summer season internship
The Pixar Undergraduate Program begins this summer season, what are you most wanting ahead to?
I’m excited to collaborate with and be taught from different proficient artists who love stylized animation as a lot as I do!
I fantasize about having full-blown discussions with fellow interns on make characters and environments extra cute, enjoyable, and magical. I’m excited to let that imaginative, “kid-at-heart” come out to play.
A great way to get a job at Pixar is to begin with an internship. What would your dream profession be sometime?
I like seeing the weak, psychological, complicated, interior workings of a personality displayed on display screen. Presently, as a personality modeler, I don’t get to animate these feelings, however I like giving start to characters that someday might have a multi-dimensional character.
My dream is to be a lead character modeler within the animation business, with adjoining masteries in character design, rigging, and animation.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Stephanie, and all the easiest on your Pixar Undergraduate Program!
For extra of Stephanie’s work or to attach, go to her Artstation or LinkedIn.
Dreaming of getting a job or internship at Pixar, however want stronger portfolio items {and professional} steerage?
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