How would you explain your job to someone who doesn’t know VFX?
A matchmove artist makes sure that anything added digitally to a movie like creatures, vehicles, or effects fits perfectly into the real filmed scene. When a camera moves during shooting, the matchmove artist carefully analyzes that footage and recreates the same camera movement inside the computer. We also track objects or actors so digital elements can stick to them naturally. This gives the rest of the VFX team an accurate 3D foundation, making the final shot look seamless and believable.
What does a day in the life look like?
A day in the life as a junior matchmove artist mostly involves tracking the camera or objects in a shot and making sure everything lines up correctly. I check my tasks, work on my shots, fix any issues, and request feedback from my lead when needed. I present my work for QC with my lead, and if everything looks good, I can submit the task afterwards.
What are some of your favorite projects? Why?
One of my favorite projects I worked on was The Conjuring: Last Rites and Weapons. Besides being a fan of horror movies, every shot assigned to me made me feel excited and proud. Some of the shots were quite challenging, but that made the experience even more rewarding because I was able to contribute to something meaningful. I am also very grateful that Weapons went on to receive several nominations in 2025, which made the project even more special to me.
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Weapons | Warner Bros.
What's something you wish people knew about what you do?
When people hear that I work in matchmove, they often assume it’s just about placing trackers on footage.
In reality, the job is far more technical and demanding. I like to think of matchmove as trying to rebuild a camera’s path from a few scattered clues almost like solving a puzzle where half the pieces are missing. It requires a lot of careful observation, problem-solving, and constant adjustments to get the movement just right. There’s plenty of testing, refining, and troubleshooting involved before a shot is accurate enough to pass on to the next team.
What is something that excites you about your career?
I love that this field keeps me learning all the time, whether it’s improving my technical skills, exploring new software, or adapting to better workflows. Working so closely as a team makes it even more rewarding, especially when we finally see our combined efforts come together on screen. It’s amazing to watch everyone’s hard work evolve into something we’re all proud of.
Are you learning anything new?
Yes, I’m definitely learning new things all the time. VFX is a field that constantly evolves new tools, techniques, and technologies appear so quickly that staying curious is almost part of the job. There’s always something new to explore, whether it’s a different workflow or some specific knowledge needed to make a shot look realistic.
Recently, I’ve also been experimenting with AI just to understand how it can support creativity.
What do you like to do outside of work?
Outside of work, I’ve also been practicing singing while playing the keyboard, and I’ve started recording these sessions and sharing on my social media. It’s been a fun way to grow my hobbies and try new things.
What's the best advice you've ever received?
The best advice I’ve ever received is to stay curious and keep learning, no matter how comfortable you feel. Skills, tools, and opportunities change quickly, and the people who grow are the ones who stay open-minded and willing to improve. It taught me that progress doesn’t come from being perfect, it comes from being consistent, asking questions, and not being afraid to start small.
SPOTLIGHT
Ayu Tesalonika
Tracking/Matchmove Artist
SPOTLIGHT
Ayu Tesalonika
Tracking/Matchmove Artist
How would you explain your job to someone who doesn’t know VFX?
A matchmove artist makes sure that anything added digitally to a movie like creatures, vehicles, or effects fits perfectly into the real filmed scene. When a camera moves during shooting, the matchmove artist carefully analyzes that footage and recreates the same camera movement inside the computer. We also track objects or actors so digital elements can stick to them naturally. This gives the rest of the VFX team an accurate 3D foundation, making the final shot look seamless and believable.
What does a day in the life look like?
A day in the life as a junior matchmove artist mostly involves tracking the camera or objects in a shot and making sure everything lines up correctly. I check my tasks, work on my shots, fix any issues, and request feedback from my lead when needed. I present my work for QC with my lead, and if everything looks good, I can submit the task afterwards.
What are some of your favorite projects? Why?
One of my favorite projects I worked on was The Conjuring: Last Rites and Weapons. Besides being a fan of horror movies, every shot assigned to me made me feel excited and proud. Some of the shots were quite challenging, but that made the experience even more rewarding because I was able to contribute to something meaningful. I am also very grateful that Weapons went on to receive several nominations in 2025, which made the project even more special to me.
Weapons | Warner Bros.
What's something you wish people knew about what you do?
When people hear that I work in matchmove, they often assume it’s just about placing trackers on footage.
In reality, the job is far more technical and demanding. I like to think of matchmove as trying to rebuild a camera’s path from a few scattered clues almost like solving a puzzle where half the pieces are missing. It requires a lot of careful observation, problem-solving, and constant adjustments to get the movement just right. There’s plenty of testing, refining, and troubleshooting involved before a shot is accurate enough to pass on to the next team.
What is something that excites you about your career?
I love that this field keeps me learning all the time, whether it’s improving my technical skills, exploring new software, or adapting to better workflows. Working so closely as a team makes it even more rewarding, especially when we finally see our combined efforts come together on screen. It’s amazing to watch everyone’s hard work evolve into something we’re all proud of.
Are you learning anything new?
Yes, I’m definitely learning new things all the time. VFX is a field that constantly evolves new tools, techniques, and technologies appear so quickly that staying curious is almost part of the job. There’s always something new to explore, whether it’s a different workflow or some specific knowledge needed to make a shot look realistic.
Recently, I’ve also been experimenting with AI just to understand how it can support creativity.
What do you like to do outside of work?
Outside of work, I’ve also been practicing singing while playing the keyboard, and I’ve started recording these sessions and sharing on my social media. It’s been a fun way to grow my hobbies and try new things.
What's the best advice you've ever received?
The best advice I’ve ever received is to stay curious and keep learning, no matter how comfortable you feel. Skills, tools, and opportunities change quickly, and the people who grow are the ones who stay open-minded and willing to improve. It taught me that progress doesn’t come from being perfect, it comes from being consistent, asking questions, and not being afraid to start small.