Today we’d like to introduce you to Holiday Liu.
Hi Holiday, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I grew up in China. During college, I studied Illustration, but I found that it didn’t quite ignite my passion. I discovered that I thrive more in group or team productions. At that time, I was a huge fan of Kung Fu Panda, and I believe I can produce animations like that in the future. This led me to decide to study animation after college.
I applied to the Academy of Art University in the US to pursue a Master’s degree in animation. The experience was incredibly enjoyable, and I had the opportunity to learn from different tutors, making lasting friendships, and experience new things that I had never encountered back in China.
After graduating, I had the chance to work at Psyop and Proof, where I worked on various commercial animations and previous projects. Following this, I secured a position at Steamroller Studios as a lead animator, contributing to games, TV shows and game cinematics. With a few years of industry experience under my belt, I felt confident in my skills and experience to tackle more significant projects, leading me to work on “Dr. Strange” and “Avatar: The Way of Water.”
The VFX world is a whole different ballgame compared to character animation. I face new challenges and learning opportunities every day. It has been an incredibly fun and interesting journey, and I am continuously growing and developing in this dynamic field.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Certainly, my adventure has been incredibly fulfilling, it hasn’t always been a smooth road. I faced many challenges and obstacles along the way. One of the first hurdles I encountered was during my college years when I realized that Illustration wasn’t my true passion. It took some soul-searching and introspection to discover my love for animation and decide to pursue it after college.
Moving to a foreign country for my Master’s degree in animation presented its own set of challenges. Adapting to a new culture, language, and educational system was a learning curve. However, it turned out to be an enriching experience, and I gradually adjusted to my new surroundings while making wonderful friends.
Entering the animation industry as a fresh graduate brought its own set of hurdles. It was challenging to gain the trust and opportunities from potential employers. I vividly remember how I got my first job at Psyop—it was a sudden opportunity that arose when another animator couldn’t fulfill their role, and I was called in at the last minute. I received an email on Friday, and by Monday, I was already working. It was an exhilarating and nerve-wracking experience, but I seized the chance and gave it my all.
Moreover, working in the VFX world also brings many challenges, particularly in Marvel projects. I need to be mentally prepared every day, as the story might change at any moment. It’s not uncommon for me to work on a shot for weeks, ensuring every detail is perfect and feeling confident and happy with the result, only to find out the next day that the story has changed and the entire sequence needs to be reworked. Thus, I believe keeping myself mentally healthy and maintaining a positive attitude is incredibly important.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I specialize in visual effects, and I take immense pride in my work in this field. One of the most thrilling experiences I had was working on “Avatar: The Way of Water.” It was an incredible opportunity to animate creatures that don’t exist in the real world, which was both challenging and exhilarating. To make their animations realistic, I invested a lot of time in research, finding references, and studying the physics and movements of these fantastical creatures. It was a true test of my skills and creativity, and I enjoyed every moment of it.
Facial animation is another area I find immense joy in. We use a face-solve system to bring motion to CG models, which is different from traditional methods that relied on motion capture (mocap) data from real actors. The face solve tool takes it a step further, and we use a tool called “brush” to refine the animation. This allows us to control specific muscle movements, like a painter brushing strokes onto a canvas, resulting in incredibly lifelike facial expressions. I’m truly impressed with the level of detail and realism we can achieve using this method, and I take pride in the results I accomplish.
What sets me apart from others is my deep passion for pushing the limits in visual effects. I love embracing new challenges and exploring cutting-edge techniques to bring my creations to life. I’m dedicated to learning new technologies and approaches, which makes me a valuable asset in the industry. Every project I work on excites me, and I’m always eager to push creative boundaries and deliver something fresh and unique!
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
Right now, I’m loving my role as a lead animator at Steamroller Studios! It’s awesome because I get to lead a team of professionals while still getting to animate some shots myself. Being a lead has been a game-changer for my skills, not just in animation but also in communication. I’ve learned how to talk to people more efficiently and make them feel at ease. One thing I’ve realized as a lead is the importance of listening to my team. Understanding their perspectives and where they’re coming from helps us build trust and tackle challenges together. When everyone feels comfortable in a light-hearted work environment, we’re more productive, and the quality of our work skyrockets.
Trust me, a positive and harmonious atmosphere makes all the difference in how smoothly things run and how much fun we have!
One of the best parts of being a lead is getting to support and cheer on my team. Seeing them thrive and achieve success in their careers and personal lives brings me so much joy! When they take pride in their work, it’s like a big win for all of us, and it reinforces how essential it is to have a caring and supportive environment. Being part of their positive journey is truly amazing!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://vimeo.com/holidayliu
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/holiday-liu-18542410a
- Other: https://www.artstation.com/liuholiday9
Image Credits
Steamroller studios Tony D’Aurio Aine Graham Tal Minks Josiah Massingill Michael Aguinaga Doug Pearson James Mashock Rebecca Polin Yuki Kusama Kristin Grice
