Find Azra: https://www.azralkan.com/

Learn Real-time 3D: https://www.cgspectrum.com/career-pathways/virtual-production

Maxine speaks with Azra Alkan, Compositing Supervisor and Real-Time Look Development Artist, about how to determine your worth as an artist in film and games. Hear about Azra’s career journey, from moving to the United States from Turkey to study computer programming, getting into compositing supervision and then real-time 3D virtual production. Azra breaks down why authentic networking is so valuable and how important it has been in her profession, including landing the highly competitive Epic Games Unreal Engine Fellowship in 2019. Plus, practical tips like how to research to create opportunities for yourself!

Azra Alkan is an Unreal Engine Artist, Visual Effects Compositor, and Filmmaker. She has been predominantly using traditional tools such as Nuke, Maya, and Houdini to work in the film industry for over 10 years. After being selected for Epic Games’ Unreal Engine Fellowship in 2019, Azra has been trying to unlock new ways that bring power to the traditional VFX pipeline with the addition of real-time tools.

🔗 Episode notes: https://www.cgspectrum.com/podcast/real-time-3d-look-dev-artist-azra-alkan

00:00 Intro

01:14 Azra’s background, growing up in Turkey

04:58 Studying computer programming

07:48 Getting a sign, moving to the States, and starting film studies

11:54 The value of going to school vs. self-guided learning

14:32 If it’s not the right job for you, there is something else

19:55 How to overcome the challenge of not working in a studio

22:30 How to network authentically

26:35 Moving from compositing supervisor to virtual production in real-time 3D

31:32 Epic Games Unreal fellowship

36:18 Advancing by combining skills and talents

42:29 Knowing your boundaries

47:30 Prioritizing your health and keeping perspective

52:08 Making a liveable wage

55:55 How to give helpful critique and feedback

59:44 Listener questions: staying current with software, creative applications for software

1:07:10 Where to find Azra

Connect on:

📍 https://www.instagram.com/cgspectrum

📍 https://www.linkedin.com/cgspectrum

📍 http://www.facebook.com/CGSpectrum.Film.and.Game.School

📍 https://www.twitter.com/cgspectrum

Azra:

📍 https://www.azralkan.com/

📍 https://www.linkedin.com/in/azralkan/

📍 https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6784875/

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