Zhe Chong

Head of Compositing

How would you explain your job to someone who doesn’t know VFX?

In VFX, we help productions solve problems like "we can't actually stab one of our actors in the face" or "turns out we couldn't get a Tyrannosaurus on set that day". I work in Production Department and we help turn creative ideas from our clients into finished VFX shots. We work on budgets, schedules, establishing workflows, assembling teams for projects, ushering work through the studio, and making sure clients are happy for the duration of the project. I also get to help manage and train our Producers and Coordinators.

What does a day in the life look like?

First I'll work through my emails and messages and see if there are any big surprises that are going to change the trajectory of my day. Then it's all about finding ways to support our active shows, future shows, fellow employees, and clients. Whether it's bidding [on a new project] and doing look dev for a film or TV show that is months from shooting, or uploading materials to client for a Producer whose power is out, wherever I can help I'll try to do it.

What are some of your favorite projects? Why?

The Eminem music videos for "Fall" and "Lucky You" were my first projects at Ingenuity and it was a WILD ride. Very ambitious VFX and hardly any time to do them. I'll always remember those. Nowadays I really like working on TV shows and with clients I've known for a long time, like Abbott Elementary, Walking Dead, and Unprisoned.

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Abbott Elementary - ABC/Hulu

What's something you wish people knew about what you do?

A surprisingly large portion of the job is shielding our internal teams from stress. VFX work is fast paced and endlessly subjective (it is art, after all) which makes it fertile ground for tense situations. Not letting that get to our artists is tough but very helpful if you can pull it off.

What is something that excites you about your career?

While I respect and appreciate those whose professions actually help the world, I really get a kick out of the fact that I get to traffic in nonsense and make believe.

Are you learning anything new?

I want to learn how to use the whole of Davinci Resolve Studio. Such a powerful tool. Other than that I very much enjoy my lifelong pursuit of learning the drum set.

What do you like to do outside of work?

I like to hike Griffith Park, eat at all the vegan restaurants, and listen to music really really loud.

What's the best advice you've ever received?

I don't know if it's advice per se, maybe it's just something I've seen other people that I respect do, and that is to trust yourself and act confident (even if you're not 100% confident). If you accept that there is a way to solve every problem, then you can look a person in the eyes and tell them "yes, we can take care of that". Not only is that what they want to hear, it's the truth and it makes everyone feel good. THEN go figure out how to make it happen.