Life & Work with Roger Lee of Buena Park

Today we’d like to introduce you to Roger Lee.

Hi Roger, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Since childhood, I’ve been passionate about drawing and creating comics, deeply inspired by Disney and Pixar animated films. I always dreamed of becoming part of that magical world, but in 1990s Singapore, there wasn’t much of an animation or visual effects industry. With very limited options available, I enrolled in a three-year diploma program in Film, Sound, and Video at Ngee Ann Polytechnic. While computer graphics was only a small part of the curriculum, it was the closest path I could take toward my goal.

After graduating, I began my professional journey as a 3D Animator and progressively advanced into roles such as Lead Lighting/Compositing Artist and Senior Lighting Technical Director, working at both local and international studios such as Lucasfilm, Singapore. Yet, my dream of working in the U.S. never faded. I spent nearly a decade applying for overseas roles, consistently updating my portfolio and skills. Then, in November 2011, I got a breakthrough: a successful phone interview landed me a role as a Lighting Artist at Walt Disney Animation Studios.

Disney supported my relocation from Singapore and made it possible for my wife and our one-year-old triplets to move with me. Since joining the studio in 2012, I’ve been fortunate to contribute to 13 animated films and counting. It’s been an incredible journey—from sketching comics as a kid to helping bring iconic animated worlds to life.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely wasn’t a smooth road. One of the biggest challenges early on was that the education I received didn’t provide the depth I needed. Animation and computer graphics were only minor subjects in the curriculum, and there were scarce resources around to support deeper learning in Singapore at the time. After completing my diploma, I had to serve two years of mandatory national service in the army. By the time I returned to civilian life, I had forgotten most of what I’d learned. I had to start over, teaching myself from scratch using library books and training DVDs—learning everything I could on my own.

Another major hurdle was the lack of a developed CG industry in Singapore during the early 2000s. My first job was at a post-production house creating visual effects for TV commercials. Most of my work involved animating things like flying logos or simple 3D animations, such as toothpaste and toothbrush dancing on the screen. Truly exciting projects came around maybe once or twice a year, if I was lucky. Perhaps the biggest challenge of all was building a demo reel strong enough to stand out on an international level. Applying to a major animation studio like Disney from overseas, with no internal connections and limited exposure, felt nearly impossible. But I kept improving, kept learning, and never gave up.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’ve had the privilege of working in the animation industry for over two decades, beginning my career in Singapore, where I started as a 3D generalist at a local post-production house and Disney TV. As a 3D generalist, I wore many hats—modeling, rigging, texturing, lighting, animation—essentially becoming a “Jack of all trades.” This kind of role is vital in smaller studios where artists are required to be versatile and handle multiple areas of production.

As I progressed in my career, I pivoted toward specialization, especially as I moved into larger studios. I discovered that lighting and compositing were where my strengths truly lay—perhaps due to my strong foundation in art and visual storytelling. I found that I had a natural eye for crafting beautiful images, which led me to dive deeper into that path. I later joined Lucasfilm in Singapore for seven years, followed by my current role at Walt Disney Animation Studios in Burbank, where I’ve been for the past 13 years.

Throughout my journey, I’ve worked on several Oscar-winning films, including Rango, Frozen, Big Hero 6, Zootopia, and Encanto. My primary focus in all these projects has been digital lighting and compositing—the final stages of the animation pipeline that dramatically influence the final look of the film.

In essence, my job is to integrate all the visual elements created by various departments—like animation, effects, technical simulation (hair, fur, cloth), and environment—and blend them into a seamless final shot. This involves not only artistic lighting but also detailed compositing work where I balance colors and ensure that every visual element integrates flawlessly into a beautiful image. It’s about creating mood, emotion, and visual coherence through the use of lights, shadows, and colors—what audiences eventually see on screen.

Over the years, I’ve worn many hats: Lighting Supervisor, Director of Cinematography – Lighting, Lead Lighting & Compositing Artist, Senior Lighting Technical Director, and Lighting Artist. Across each role, what’s always set me apart is a strong artistic eye, a passion for beautiful imagery, and a dedication to storytelling through visual nuance.

How do you think about happiness?
What makes me happy is finding deep meaning and lasting joy in work that aligns with who I am — a creator, a parent, a storyteller. Being part of a passionate team in animation, especially one that shapes childhoods and earns global recognition, fills me with pride and gratitude.

What amplifies that happiness is seeing my triplets light up (when they were kids, and they are now teenagers) while watching the very movies I helped bring to life. That personal connection makes my work feel like a legacy. I genuinely love what I do so much that sometimes, it doesn’t even feel like a job — I’d be doing this even if I weren’t being paid. But thankfully, I am — which makes it all the better.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rogerlee.art/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rogerleeart/
• Other: https://vimeo.com/rogerleeart

Image Credits
Photo: Hannah Teoh/Yahoo Singapore (Personal Photo)