Empowering Diversity in VFX: Emma’s ACCESS VFX Journey
In the ever-evolving world of visual effects (VFX), the pursuit of diversity and inclusion is paramount. At Lux Aeterna, we feel very strongly about supporting this and joining ACCESS VFX earlier this year was another step in the right direction.
Our Executive Producer Emma Kolasinska, has been actively involved with ACCESS for five years and has opened up to us about how she embarked on the journey.
Changing the Landscape of VFX
Emma's collaboration with ACCESS began as a response to the underrepresentation of women and people of colour in the VFX industry. Emma explains, “I decided to get involved with ACCESS as I have only ever worked with a handful of women or people of colour in my career. I truly believe that these dynamics need to change and that is exactly what the goal of ACCESS is.”
Since then, Emma has been a mentor to eleven individuals from various backgrounds. She recounts, “the majority of them had just finished their studies and were starting on their VFX journey. Out of all of them, eight are now working in the industry and I have to say that I am very proud of them for that!”.
Emma's Career Journey
When thinking back on her journey into VFX production, she describes it as a story of dedication and hard work. She started as a receptionist at Oasis Television in London and then transitioned into an edit assistant role at an advertising agency called HHCL. Her career saw her contributions at ITV in Leeds, where she scheduled shoot crews for shows.
She then took on her first shoot-producing role at Mezzo, before moving on to a stint at The Minimart, where she produced commercials in exotic locations all around the world. Emma's journey eventually led her to Mainframe, where she spent eight years working with renowned brands like Harrods, Nike, and MTV.
Upon her move to Bristol seven years ago, Emma immersed herself in the world of full VFX pipelines for broadcast. Her resumé includes collaborations with all the major broadcasters, solidifying her reputation as a versatile and talented Executive Producer.
Sharing Knowledge from Lux Aeterna
Since joining as a mentor at ACCESS, Emma has had the opportunity to share what she has learnt along her journey with her mentees. She explains, “We do a lot of work on CVs, reels and how to stand out and communicate with potential employers — all skills that don’t seem to be taught in university.”
She adds, “I haven't had a specific mentor but worked with several people in my career who have inspired me and taken me in new directions. My career didn't take a straightforward route but I think that the collective experience I have had has really shaped me as I work as a producer now”. And this is the reason why her best advice is to, “get any experience that you can. It is all relevant and will help as you climb the ladder.”
Emma's dedication extends beyond mentoring. She has actively participated in career fairs, pre-COVID, to support ACCESS. During the pandemic, she contributed to online talks, all accessible on the ACCESS VFX YouTube channel. The organisation also releases a podcast featuring discussions with industry professionals every month.
A Team Effort at Lux Aeterna
Emma is not the only member of our team involved with ACCESS. Many of us have also stepped up as mentors, offering specialised support in areas like Houdini and Maya. As a team, we remain dedicated to supporting the current and future generations of visual effects talent and opening up opportunities to include individuals from all walks of life.
Interested in knowing more about ACCESS VFX? Check out their website!
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