[FRAMED] CG Generalist, CK Lu, Chicago
If you could travel back in time, which film, TV series, advert, or immersive project would you love to have worked on?
Cats (2019)
Which Framestore character do you feel you’re most like?
Annie, the sassy sheep from Cox Mobile that I recently worked on.
What fictional world or place would you like to visit?
South Park
Your career highlight to date:
I created a 3D short video featuring a person crafting a mouse claymation with the intention of trolling people into thinking it’s a stop-motion animation in real life. However, it turns out that everything is rendered in CG, including the hands. This video garnered 600K views in 3 days on Reddit, and now I’m producing funny content based on that concept on social media. Follow if you’re interested!
Who or what inspired you to pursue a career in VFX?
I was greatly inspired by early game cinematic trailers such as Assassin’s Creed or Witcher 3. They made me really want to participate in projects like those.
The DREAM project would entail:
Anything that makes people laugh.
How do you explain what you do to someone who doesn’t work in VFX?
I tell them that I create vibrant, exhilarating imaginary worlds that spark joy and excitement.
Describe your career journey (into the exciting world of VFX).
I began my journey in the world of VFX at Moonshine, the largest Taiwanese VFX company, as a Light Comp artist. Later, duty called, so I had to serve mandatorily in the military for a year. After completing my service, I studied abroad at the School of Visual Arts in NYC. After graduating with my Master’s degree, I encountered difficulties finding a job due to the COVID outbreak. Fortunately, I secured a position at Framestore Chicago just before my visa expired.
What does the day in the life of a CG Generalist look like?
In the morning, I check my renders and admire their beauty. I prepare sequences for the day and review any notes. After attending several meetings, I revise assets or lighting as needed and send renders to the farm. Before going to sleep, I double-check the render farm to ensure everything is in order.
Framestore is, to you, in three words:
My current sanctuary.
Best thing about your work environment?
We have a dog in our office.
Framestore is great at:
Making good coffee.
Favourite artform?
Memes
Favourite image?
This CG meme I created that went viral for a few days.
What’s your favourite movie/ series/ advert/ immersive experience and why?
Kung Fu Hustle, directed by Stephen Chow, is my all-time favourite movie. It’s a significant challenge to balance silliness and humour while still showcasing professional skills. Stephen Chow masterfully demonstrated how a movie can be both absurd and emotional in Kung Fu Hustle, making it a cornerstone of my movie preferences.
What is the last piece of art that inspired you?
Dog of Wisdom on Youtube. A true masterpiece, nothing can beat it
How do you unlock your creativity?
I unlock my creativity by playing tons of video games solely for reference collecting. I’ve explored nearly all genres and invested significant time in them. It’s not just for fun; it’s all about honing my skills as a 3D artist. You’ve gotta believe me!
From where do you seek inspiration?
I seek inspiration on Steam.
Who in the industry do you admire most and why?
Beeple. He’s a true inspiration, churning out digital artwork daily. And when NFTs exploded, he became a millionaire artist overnight. That’s what I admire most about him.
Share the best piece of advice you’ve ever received:
“If your ball is too big for your mouth, it’s not yours.” — A quote from “Dog of Wisdom”
What tech/innovation could you not live without?
Instant ramen.
What tech/innovation deserves the hype?
Roomba. Those things are dope!
What tech do you need that hasn’t been invented yet?
Affordable flying cars.
CK Lu you’ve been [FRAMED].
