Interview with Sooyoung Park

Hello. My name is Sooyoung Park, and I completed the VFX Professional Program at SF Film School.

Ever since I was young, I have been fascinated by mechanical subjects such as robots, cars, and electronic devices. What attracted me to CG was the idea that I could recreate these subjects in my own style and express colors, lighting, and motion that would be impossible to see in the real world. I wanted to study at a school that could help me bring these mechanical concepts to life, and after researching several academies, I chose SF Film School.

Before enrolling at SF Film School, I attended another academy in Gangnam. Although I completed the program there, I didn't feel that I had gained the confidence to create projects on my own. I continued searching for a more specialized school, and eventually discovered SF Film School. After seeing the students' portfolio work, I immediately felt that it offered exactly what I had been looking for.

Because of that, I truly enjoyed my time studying alongside my classmates. During late-night production sessions, we would often walk to the convenience store in our slippers to buy instant noodles and triangle kimbap, and on warm afternoons we would lie on the rooftop lawn and take short naps. Those simple moments became some of the best breaks during long days of production. I also clearly remember our weekly portfolio reviews, where the progress chart would reflect how well we had done that week. The results always brought a mixture of excitement and disappointment, but they motivated us to keep improving.

For my portfolio project, I chose my favorite series, Neon Genesis Evangelion. Although it is centered around giant robots, I wanted to portray the Evangelion as a character with emotions—something that felt worn down and exhausted rather than simply mechanical. I spent about six hours a day on my portfolio outside of class. Through that experience, I realized that simply investing more time doesn't necessarily produce better work. What matters most is how effectively you use your time. Personally, I prefer working in highly focused two-hour sessions followed by short breaks. I believe everyone should develop a workflow that matches their own personality and working style.

I currently work on the 3D team at SPACE MONKEY, a creative agency specializing in design and video production. The company produces commercials, music videos, broadcast channel branding, and interactive media design. One of our recent projects was the Tetris Returns commercial. My goal is to continue building experience there, develop a distinctive artistic style that keeps up with industry trends, and eventually create personal projects that reflect my own creative vision.

If I could offer one piece of advice to future students, it would be this: always finish what you start. You may not love every project you work on, but completing the entire production process is more important than achieving perfection. By experiencing every stage of production, you'll gradually develop a deeper understanding of the work.

Another important lesson is that technical challenges are inevitable in CG. Whenever you encounter difficulties, don't hesitate to ask your instructors for help. While mastering one software package is valuable, I believe it's even more important to understand multiple tools and learn how to combine their strengths effectively. I always tried to become comfortable with a variety of software instead of relying on just one, and I continue to do so today. I think that's one of the strengths of SF Film School's training.

Once you've chosen SF Film School, remember that you are never working alone. Trust your instructors, rely on your classmates, help each other whenever possible, and keep learning together. If you do, I'm sure you'll achieve great results.

Looking back, I actually spent more time at SF Film School with my instructors and classmates than I did at home. Working hard was certainly important, but even more valuable to me were the friendships I built with people who shared the same dream. Although I've now graduated and entered the professional world, SF Film School will always feel like a place I can return to—a place filled with great memories and lifelong friends.

Finally, I'd like to thank all of the instructors and classmates who supported me throughout my journey. To all future students, I hope you enjoy your time at SF Film School, work hard, and build the future you've always dreamed of.