Meet Maël Jamier, a talented student at ARTFX Lille and a winner of The Rookie Awards 2024. 

We were delighted to invite Maël behind the scenes at beloFX this winter to take part in our career mentorship program. As proud sponsors of The Rookie Awards, we created this program to give one competition winner unparalleled access to our senior team, offering valuable insights into launching a career in visual effects.

Watch Maël's winning demo reel now, then learn more about his experience below!

1. What inspired you to enter The Rookie Awards, and how did you hope this mentorship would shape your skills or career?

As a fifth-year student at ARTFX Lille, entering The Rookie Awards was a way to push my work into the professional world. Winning in the Career category was an amazing recognition, but the real value came from the mentorship program. I saw it as a chance to get feedback from experienced artists and understand what studios look for in a junior compositor. More than anything, I wanted to learn from people who've been through it all and get insights that would help me feel confident and prepared when stepping into the industry.

2. How did the mentorship compare to your expectations, and what did you achieve through it?

I entered this mentorship to improve my skills and gain industry knowledge that goes beyond just the technical side. I was looking for practical advice from people who had been in my position and could share real-world insights into what it takes to succeed as a junior compositor.

Zoe Cranley, Head of CG at beloFX, gave me great advice on my graduation film, particularly on the importance of look development and animation. She also highlighted the value of communication in dailies, a key skill that I now pay more attention to when working with a team.

Mickaël Léger, Compositing Supervisor, shared his feedback on my demo reel to help highlight my skills, which was incredibly helpful. Also, watching his Artist and Supervisor reels side by side showed how expectations shift at different stages, and discussing his approach to shots and working with artists was both insightful and motivating.

Mike Stillwell, Visual Effects Supervisor, shared his journey in VFX, starting at 15 and working his way up through DNEG in lighting, lookdev, and leading 3D artists. His experiences as a VFX Supervisor on set were especially fascinating. Our discussion about how every shot must serve the story reinforced that compositing is not just about technical execution, it is about narrative.

Vic Wade, Head of 2D, gave me a fantastic breakdown of his role, from managing teams and identifying project needs to cross-department collaboration. He also emphasized the importance of maintaining strong relationships with artists, which gave me a deeper understanding of the social and leadership aspects of the job.

After each session, I gained new insights and left feeling more confident. It reinforced that this is the industry where I see my future, and it made me even more motivated to keep improving!

3. What’s one key takeaway from this experience that you’ll carry into your career?

One of the biggest things I’ve learned is that while technical skills are important, communication is just as crucial. Being able to present your work clearly, explain your choices, and effectively take feedback makes a huge difference, especially in a collaborative environment like VFX. I also learned the importance of staying adaptable and continuously learning. My mentors really emphasized that growth doesn’t stop after school, it’s something you have to keep working on throughout your career. This has helped me think more about my long-term goals and how to keep improving in the industry.

4. What unexpected insights or moments stood out during your mentorship, and how have they impacted your perspective?

One of the most unexpected insights came from my conversations with Mickaël and Vic. Mickaël’s journey from Compositing Artist to Supervisor helped me realize that advancing in this field isn’t only about refining technical skills. It’s also about developing an artistic eye, leadership abilities, and a strong sense of teamwork. Vic reinforced this by sharing how much of his role as Head of 2D is about managing people, understanding project needs, and maintaining strong relationships within the team. Their experiences gave me a clearer idea of what it takes to grow in the industry beyond just the craft itself.

Mike’s perspective on storytelling in compositing was also eye-opening. He really emphasized how every shot serves the bigger picture, which shifted how I think about my own work. It’s not just about making a shot look good, but about making sure it fits perfectly with the rest of the story. Hearing about Mike’s time on set as a VFX Supervisor also gave me a better understanding of how decisions are made in a large-scale production.

5. What advice would you give future mentees to make the most of their mentorship?

To make the most of your mentorship, come prepared with questions and stay engaged in the discussions. Ask about career growth, industry tips, or how things work in a studio environment to get the most out of each session. But just as importantly, take the time to listen to your mentors, their experiences and career choices have so much to teach you!

Talk to them about their approach to leadership, problem-solving, and teamwork. Each mentor has a unique story, and hearing about their journey can really help you shape your own path.

This mentorship has been an amazing experience, and I’m incredibly grateful for the chance to learn from such talented people. A huge thank you to beloFX, The Rookies, Victoria Long, and Jody Jessop for introducing the studio and organizing the sessions. And of course, to all the mentors, thank you for sharing your time, knowledge, and insights. This experience has given me a solid foundation and a clearer sense of direction as I step into the industry!