Today we’d like to introduce you to Chen Tang.
Hi Chen, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
The story began when I was an undergraduate student. I majored in Biology at that time, however I love to paint when I was a child. And I got a chance to touch digital painting when I took some elective class. I found out my passion is in the 3D field. I tried to get to know more about the CG field. When I watched some amazing animated movies in theater, like “Zootopia”, “Coco”, etc. The vivid characters and moving plots attracted me a lot. I made a decision to jump into CG field.
So I decided to pursue a Visual Effects and Game Development degree at SCAD. It is enthusiasm led me into CG world, it was the first time I use Houdini when I create large-scale environment. I was attracted by the power of procedural techniques. As I went deeper, I realized that I want to explore more in Houdini to create amazing FX. To achieve the goal, I need multiple comprehensive capabilities. I use all my spare time to learn many new things. I taught myself programming like Mel, Vex, C++ and Python and use different solver in Houdini to create natural effects like fire, smoke, water, and destruction. I also have experience using Houdini Engine to create real-time FX.
It is the first time I worked in real production environment as a FX artist when I joined the Monk Studio. Luckily, I got the chance to work in some animated feature series.
The period when I worked at Scanline VFX is most exciting so far. I worked on “The Gray Man” at the beginning, create lots of explosions in the show. I would love to do lots of research and create different RnD. And cooperate with many other talented artists to develop some tools and FX library. I also got a chance to learn some in-house software. It interested me a lot to learn new powerful tools to expand my skill sets. The whole process is challenging but interested me a lot.
As a FX artist, there is always new things to learn. I will keep improving myself and explore new techniques in CG field.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
In my point of view, it’s not a smooth road. First of all, I have no idea what I should learn to jump into this field. And I need to learn a lot of new stuff that I never get a chance to know before. It is a bold decision to me. I don’t know if the dream will come true or what the career will lead at that time. It is also the first time for me to go abroad and study in a college, I need to learn how to live and study in a new place by myself. There are lots of uncertainties in the road. I’m so glad I can keep going
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I learned different aspects in CG field and I specialize in FX. A major part of my work is developing natural effects such as pyro smoke, explosion, rain, splash, etc. or some abstract effects like magic particles. I also have some experience in procedural modeling or tools development for films or games. The most important part is to cooperate with other talented artists. I can learn a lot from them. Sometimes I need to develop a fx rig from beginning, There will be a lot of challenges and it will interest me a lot. The most pround work so far is when I worked on “The Gray Man” at Scanline VFX. I developed a series of fireworks fx in the movie.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
I’d love to watch different artists’ website like Artstation, Pinterest, Behance, Instagram, etc. There are a lot of amazing works I can find there. I can learn a lot from them. And luckily, when I was in school and in work, there are a lot of talented people I can learn a lot from them too.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://peterctang.artstation.com/projects/18kDZ2
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peterctang/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chen.tang.5095/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tangchenpeter/
