27th June 2022
Welcome back to Milk Mondays…
Where we get to show off our lovely lot and share a little bit of their wisdom, what makes them tick and what they get up to when they’re not making VFX ?
This week we’re welcoming Leanne Dua into the spotlight, who is a recent addition to our Compositing team. We got together over a coffee (1 sugar please) to chat about her career path into compositing, what inspired her to work in VFX, being a LOTR superfan and much more…
Read on to find out!
How long have you been working at Milk?
I have been here for almost 2 months.
What do you like about working here?
Everyone is very friendly and it’s a really nice vibe. (And Leather Lane market is just down the road for lunch!)
Did you always want to be a Compositor?
Yes! I knew I wanted to work in VFX when I was around 10 years old! I remember seeing Buckbeak in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and thinking, yeah I want to create stuff like that!
How did you get into Compositing?
My dream was to work at DNEG and I immediately achieved that when I left university by getting a runner position there! As I wasn’t quite expecting to be able to work there so soon after graduating I gave myself a new goal; to get into comp! So I worked my way up from Running to Grading Assistant, to Tech Checker, to Roto/Prep until I was finally getting compositing work.
It was such a great time and I really learned so much from everyone around me. I was very privileged to have been able to work with such amazing people in the TV department and I definitely attribute my current achievements to those who were (and are!) so kind enough to help me and teach me.
Do you have a favourite kind of Compositing work? (why?) and what’s the best bit of your job?
Hmm, right now I would probably say I really enjoy integrating elements into a comp. There’s something really satisfying about getting the colour to match with the environment and being able to really sit them in. Especially if it’s something from the 3D team as I love seeing the work they produce and highlighting how incredible it all looks! I’ve worked on projects in the past where the things they’re able to achieve have made me like, dang that looks so real!
What’s been the most exciting project you’ve worked on in the last year?
Before I came to Milk I had a very quick stint on the ABBA Voyage concert…it was so interesting and different to anything I’ve worked on before. Hats off to everyone who worked on that because it really does look amazing!
Your favourite project at Milk and why?
I’m not sure if I can say the project I’m working on right now, but probably the one I’m on right now!
What does your typical day look like?
It starts with my feet being attacked under the duvet by our cat in the morning. I take the arduous walk to the kitchen where my setup is and log in for rounds in the morning (which I have the habit of accidentally missing as I’m usually called first. I am here I just sometimes don’t hear the message ping I swear!).
Sometimes for lunch I’ll either go for a walk or play badminton with my partner, I’ve only won one game against him so far but I am improving! The afternoons I continue on with my assigned tasks until the end of the day.
Your top 3 key ingredient/s for creating amazing work?
Collaboration, imagination and integration!
What do you love about working in vfx?
I love the sense of community and diversity within our industry. Every project is absolutely a bonding experience, and I’ve met and made friends with people from all walks of life and it’s very enriching to learn from their experiences and wisdom!
Advice to your younger self (when starting out in the industry)
Honestly, just keep doing what you’re doing! You’re going to meet some excellent people who will give you the tools, knowledge and support that will take you where you want to go.
What’s the secret of your success?
The people I’ve met, and the friends I’ve made along the way 😉
What do you like doing when you’re not comping?
Knitting toys, embroidery and playing lots of video games!
Tell us something that might surprise us about you?
I’m a massive Lord of the Rings fan, I can talk for quite literally hours about the films. Seriously the amount of detail that went into those films from every department, there just hasn’t been anything close to it since!
And just for fun..
What’s the one thing you always keep on your desk?
Something to distract our cat as she always walks across my keyboa’;rt6
Pets?
A 10 month old Siberian Cat.
Last present you bought yourself?
Tickets to see Lord of the Rings in concert at the Royal Albert Hall (I cried lol).
What would be your superpower?
I feel like if I could manifest anything that would be pretty overpowered.
What are you learning at the moment?
I’m currently learning the loop stitch for the latest toy I’m knitting.
Bonus question:
Tea or coffee ? one sugar or two?
Coffee please! One sugar thanks ;P
Thanks Leanne ?