Stumbling into VFX: Interview with Mia Yang on Career & Timing

Breaking into the gaming industry often happens when you least expect it. In this exclusive interview, Jason sits down with VFX Apprentice instructor Mia Yang to discuss her unique journey into visual effects.

From accidentally discovering her passion via YouTube after graduation to creating hero skills for major mobile games, Mia shares her experiences navigating the industry. Read on to discover her advice for beginners, her thoughts on overcoming creative comparison, and what to expect in VFX Apprentice's upcoming timing class.

Jason: I am joined today by one of our instructors over at VFX Apprentice, Mia Yang. Hi, Mia.

Mia: Hi, Jason.

Jason: So you've been making effects for quite a while. I was curious if you could introduce yourself to us, to the students, and to the viewers out there. Tell us a little bit about your story.

How did you get started in effects, and what are you doing these days?

Mia: To be honest, it was quite a bit like an accident. When I was in school, we were learning about game development, but we learned nothing related to effects. It was just after I graduated, one of my classmates came to me and said, "Hey, I think you can make visual effects. Do you want to maybe try this company here?"

I was like, but I don't know how to make effects! But I can give it a try. So after I graduated, I checked some online resources, mostly YouTube, to learn the effects. And then I'm here.

Jason: That's a very familiar story with a lot of effects artists. Actually, a lot of people I talk to over the years, they're like, "Well, I kind of stumbled into it." I think it's because educational resources are so thin, especially at universities. In a lot of cases, they might have one class on effects.

Where are you working now? What are you up to these days?

Mia: Right now, I'm working on a mobile phone game, and a lot of hero skills are involved. The style is a bit like League of Legends, and I really do enjoy that.

Jason: Yeah, looking at a lot of your work, it's really awesome. It definitely caught my eye, and I was like, "Oh, she needs to come teach with us."

Is there anything that you want to say to our viewers out there who are just starting out?

Mia: Don't worry if you are a beginner, because everyone has their own starting point. I started learning visual effects after I graduated from school, and then I tried to find any materials I could on YouTube that interested me.

Most importantly, sometimes we compare ourselves to others and think, "Wow, they’re good" - I think this is very normal. We always want to compare ourselves to others, and sometimes we feel bad. I think when it comes to skills or technical stuff that you have to learn, you always manage it in the end. It's just a matter of time. But during that time, the point is to keep your passion and motivation.

Because at least for me, or for the students here, it's more like, you think this is cool, this is interesting. So you want to dive in, you want to study more about that because it's fun, let’s not forget about that.

Jason: We definitely welcome people from all over the world to come into our classes, and I think that's really cool having you as an instructor. 

So, you'll be teaching in the upcoming timing class. I'm really excited to have you teaching in the September section. 

Do you have any advice before the class starts on how students can improve their timing?

Mia: Before we start the course, I would say that even though it's so much about math or fixed things, it's not really that complicated. Sometimes it's more about the vibe, and it's something that we learn through time.

We study a lot of references, and as you watch, you enjoy the VFX scene and want to make the same or try to achieve the same style. I think this is more of the point.

Jason: Absolutely, that's really a lot of the approach that we are taking in the class - a lot of study, research, and analyzing other effects.

I'm right there with you. It's a four-week class for anyone who's interested. You can go check it out at VFX Apprentice, and it's really focused on improving timing skills for all skill levels. So whether you're just getting started or more seasoned, Mia will be there to help you through it.

As we wrap things up, one final question: 

Whether our viewers are just getting started or more experienced and thinking about taking a class, do you have any advice for people in that situation?

Mia: I think it's still about the passion. Usually, people working on game development - especially, at least for me and the people around me, mostly visual effects artists - we do love what we are doing right now.

We enjoy watching video games, creating them, and being proud one day telling your friends, "Hey, do you like this game? I made that." That gives a huge sense of accomplishment, and I really enjoy it.

So for me, I was also new to the industry, and I also had moments where I felt I wasn't good enough. Turns out it's the same for everyone, and usually it's just a matter of time. As long as you still keep the passion and still love doing it, it doesn't matter if you're a little bit slower.

We're on the same page, and especially, we are in the same community that pulls people together. I think this whole community on Discord is really unique. Even if you realize in the end you don't really want to make visual effects, you can still enjoy watching other people do that, or enjoy the communication with other people.

Jason: I think we've got something really special, and I'm excited for anyone watching to come meet us on Discord and join one of our classes. You and I are going to be teaching this class together at the beginning, so I'm really excited to be there helping people learn timing.