Ellen
Poon, Visual Effects Supervisor, Industrial Light &
Magic, a division of Lucas Digital Ltd. LLC
Our Special guest today is Ellen
Poon, the Visual Effects Supervisor at Industrial
Light & Magic, a division of Lucas Digital Ltd. LLC.
Ellen obtained her undergraduate degree in Computer Science
from the University of Essex in England. She continued
her Ph.D. studies at the University of London and subsequently
published two books on her research in Theoretical Computer
Science. Ellen has worked on groundbreaking projects such
as Jurassic Park, The Mask, Disclosure, Jumanji and Perrier's
"Toy Soldiers" spot. She is a unique artist who can supervise
a computer graphics crew, create character animation and
perform lighting tasks for feature films and commercials.
We are honored to have Ellen with us today. Welcome Ellen.
Ellen: It's good to
be here, thanks.
Moderator: Happy to have you.
Before I take questions from the audience, can you tell
us what inspired you to become a Visual Effects Supervisor?
Ellen: When I was
studying computer science back in England, I was very
interested in computer graphics. Another interest of mine
is film and at that time I could see a future for combining
film with technology. When I came to work for ILM, the
role that can combine technology with creativity is being
a visual effects supervisor.
Moderator: Great! Did you meet
any resistance as a woman in this field when you first
started out?
Ellen: Yes I did and
still do. I think the fields of graphics and animation
are very woman friendly. However, when it comes to film,
it's slightly more resistant to women. Hollywood is still
quite male driven. When I go to the set or to a meeting,
they normally expect a man. Traditionally my role has
always been a male role. I am breaking into it and changing
people's perception.
Moderator: Yes, men are expected to fill those
roles and I have walked into many a room where they wonder,
"where is her boss?"
Ellen: Exactly my
point.
Moderator: Do you have any
tools for overcoming, or dealing with the resistance?
Ellen: The best tool
is to be confident with yourself, of who you are and how
much you know about what you do.
Moderator: Well said!
Ellen: Once they find
out you are good, they start to respect you. But it does
take a while.
guest-Wendy asks: Do you find
your background in technology gives you more credibility
in dealing with Hollywood?
Ellen: Well, yes and
no. My job is a mixture of technology and artistry. Sometimes
they fear that you are too technical or too artsy so I
play it carefully to give them what they need but not
too much otherwise I will lose their interest.
However, this computer graphics field is overtaking Hollywood
so they are beginning to know more and more. So it's getting
better. So it's good to know your technical stuff!
Moderator: Yes, it does seem that the technology
is present in many more films than ever before.
Moderator: Ellen, have you
ever been intimidated by technology?
Ellen: Mostly no.
I love mathematics! I love learning new things, new technology
in particular! But I don't let it take over my life though.
I like to improve myself all the time and not lag behind.
Which is key to our jobs nowadays!!
Moderator: You mentioned you
love math – did you like math in high school?
Ellen: I love math
and was very good at it. I still do—I hope. Apart
from that, I was also very interested in other subjects
like history and economics and literature.
Moderator: Good for you that you continued your
math. Many girls don't because of peer pressure.
Ellen: I don't think
girls should fear math or science subjects. Trust me,
we can be just as good in it as boys/men, if not better
sometimes. I believe it. One thing which drives me most
of the time is we (all people) can achieve what other
people can achieve, gender has nothing to do with it.
As a result, I am interested in both arts and science
at the same time.
Moderator: Yes, it's also important to show
a balance in your life. That working in technology can
empower women and afford them more choice in their lives.
And successful women role models can show this to be true
to young girls.
Ellen: I hope I can
be one.
Moderator: Ellen, you are a role model! Which
is why you are on GirlGeeks Chat!
Ellen: To be true
to myself is very important, technology is part of our
life and we all should be part of it.
guest-Susie says: What do you
like best about your job at ILM?
Ellen: My job at ILM
is like being in university and in the outside world at
the same time. We are constantly pushing the envelope
in what we do both in creating new images and the techniques
that produced them. Secondly my projects change all the
time, so I am never bored! I was working on the Green
Mile and before that on Small Soldiers. The team is different
and the type of work is different for every project. I
am consistently learning new things and meeting new people,
not to mention the nice credit at the end of the movie.
Moderator: Credit is important! :)
guest-Diane says: What do you
feel has been the most important factor in your success?
Ellen: It helps you
to realize how far you have come. I don't ever let that
be a big thing though. The most important factor I think
is my interest in what I do. I am never satisfied with
what I know; I am always thirsty for more knowledge, which
in turn keeps me edgy. I must say the other thing is my
appreciation of fine arts and beautiful images. Because
at the end of the day, we need to make pictures that stun
people, so having the eye for good-looking images is a
must.
Moderator: That is good advice Ellen, to always
be seeking more knowledge.
guest-Debbie says: What advice
do you have for young women who are just starting out
in technology?
Ellen: First of all,
don't give up ever if you are interested! Like I said,
girls can do what boys can do, right!?
Moderator: Right!
Ellen: Work hard and
do a lot of research yourself to keep on top of all the
new technology and not be afraid to discuss what you know
with other people. You learn a lot this way. Also pursue
your interest in technology by choosing the right subject
in college.
guest-meathead says: My professor
in film school always said that technology is killing
American cinema. Do you feel like we're telling better
stories with the available technology?
Ellen: Yes we can.
Look at Toy Story I & II. Technology is just a tool,
like a new pen. You need to know how to harness this new
pen to draw beautiful images. I think the problem with
Hollywood is that they don't quite know how to use it,
they need to do more homework and truly understand its
usefulness and result. I see the future being better as
in more film with technology will have more of a story.
It's our job to educate them. So people are more receptive.
Some people are old school, hard to change.
Moderator: Your answers definitely show experience
in the industry, Ellen.
guest-adorable says: What
were some of the roadblocks you came across and used as
a stepping-stone?
Ellen: Well, the roadblocks
that I came across are women are not technical enough
(within ILM) and I just show that I can do it. As a result,
they have more faith in women when hiring. So I hope I
am a good example for women. The other thing is when I
am in Hollywood, they sometimes don't trust a woman on
the job. I prove them wrong again and gain trust; the
next time you work with them they would be more helpful.
But above all, I think most women have a pretty good taste
level, I use that a lot to my advantage. This means my
work will look better because of my sensibility!
Moderator: Yes, more women performing well,
at ILM or any company helps strengthen women's position.
When I worked at LFL/ILM, the project I was on started
out with a few great women, and then we kept on hiring
more and more women - editors and VFX Crew.
guest-PIM79 says: What kind
of educational background do you think is best to get
into your field?
Ellen: You can get
in by means of several avenues. One is, like me, study
computer graphics and computer science, the other is animation,
the third one is film school which I think is the most
interesting. On top of that, be interested in things like
photography, graphics design and arts. The business is
great in that way, it combines everything in order to
make it work. It makes us a renaissance woman. I am a
better person because of that.
Moderator: It is great that you understand how
important balance and interests outside of "work" are!
Ellen: Yes, I spend
a lot of time having fun as well as working hard here
at ILM. Fun for me is to go to galleries, see movies and
read books.
Moderator: Why do you think
film school is the most interesting approach?
Ellen: It is so that
the next generation of computer graphics artists also
knows how to make films. This will certainly make this
art form better utilized in the future. And I hope better
and better films will come out.
Moderator: Yes, that will be important. We hope
so too.
Ellen: This is based
on the fact that I think film schools are teaching this
technology now. They need to and will keep up with the
times when it comes to the tools. But the art of storytelling
will remain the same and they are the best people to teach
it I mean.
Moderator: Yes, the values of good teachers
can never be over-estimated!
Moderator: We have time for one more question
from our audience before our chat is done.
guest-meathead says: Some
argue that CG animation is not a true animation because
of its heavy reliance on technology. What is your take
on this topic?
Ellen: Again, I point
you to Toy Story II, it has wonderful animation. Even
the classical animators think so. I think some CG animations
do look funny. It just takes a good director to bring
out the best performance from us. And good directors can
be hard to come by.
Moderator: Thanks Ellen for joining us today!
You gave some very good advice to our audience, which
I am sure they will take away with them.
Ellen: YOU are welcome!
Moderator: Do you have any
parting words for our audience today?
Ellen: I hope I will
be working with you all of you GIRLGEEKS in the future.
Moderator: Yes! Many of those GirlGeeks and
aspiring GirlGeeks hope so too!
Ellen: Be leaders
in everything including TECHNOLOGY. We need more women
in every field. Most importantly, believe in yourself
and your dreams!!!
Thank
you very much for chatting with me...
Moderator: Good words to end with Ellen, to
help ALL those GirlGeeks, and aspiring GirlGeeks out
there!
A
Special Thank You to Ellen Poon for chatting with us!
Ellen: Pleasure
is mine, bye!
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