Today we’d like to introduce you to Tingying Liao.
Hi Tingying, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I’m Ting, a digital artist from Taiwan. I graduated from SCAD with a Master’s degree in Visual Effects and have been working as a compositor at Crafty Apes VFX for nearly two years. I mainly contribute to post-production work for TV series and movies, including projects like Home Team, Where the Crawdads Sing, and Renfield.
Before coming to the United States, I was a light comp artist at an animation studio in Taiwan for almost three years, specializing in making animated series. I love animation and enjoy the work immensely. Being able to transform various stories into animation for audiences is truly exciting! However, I’ve always had a dream of studying abroad and also wanted the opportunity to be involved in larger productions, challenging myself with live-action films to broaden my experience. That’s why I decided to come to Georgia in 2018 for my studies, and thrilled to have entered the industry and continue dedicating myself to the film and television industry.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Film and television production is a tremendously vast industry with a wide range of content. As a visual effects artist, I have to adapt to various situations during post-production while also meeting tight deadlines. Things got pretty challenging sometimes. I still remember there’s one time when I had to redo my work more than ten times because it didn’t meet the supervisors’ expectations. Watching the deadline getting closer and closer, it certainly caused a lot of anxiety in me, haha. However, these experiences have been valuable growth opportunities.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a digital artist specializing primarily in lighting and compositing. I gravitate towards these two areas because I have a particular fondness for colors and thoroughly enjoy being able to see the final result of the entire shots. My work encompasses a diverse range of tasks, from techniques like green screen, goof removal, split screens, and integrating CG elements into footage, as well as object replacements and more. Any visual adjustments required in a shot fall within my expertise.
I have confidence in my abilities, particularly in paintwork and CG integration. My formal education in fine arts during university, combined with my prior experience in an animation studio, has allowed me to refine my skills and enhance my performance. Furthermore, I possess patience and maintain a positive attitude when facing challenges in my work. I believe these qualities contribute to delivering high-quality outputs and cultivating a professional reputation.
Among my accomplishments, I am most proud of my work on Star Wars Rebels and Where the Crawdads Sing. They were respectively the longest project I have worked on and my first feature film, both of which hold significant meaning to me.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
First and foremost, I would like to express my gratitude to my parents and sister for their unwavering support during times of setbacks and lows. I want to thank Melissa Blakey, our Global Head of Talent, for recognizing my potential. Sam Claitor, Head of the Studio, and Kolby Kember, Creative Director, thank you for giving me the opportunity to join the team. I am grateful to Doug Stewart, VFX Supervisor, for creating a learning environment for us to interact and share knowledge during the initial stages of my employment. Lastly, I want to thank all my colleagues, classmates, and loved ones who have supported me along the way. Your assistance has meant a great deal to me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.tingying-liao.com/
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/tingying-liao
Image Credits
With poster one; Special thanks to Amy Rodrigue for all the support!
