Creativity meets technical curiosity: an FX TD’s role on Predator: Badlands.
A balance of creativity and technical curiosity, along with specialized training, made this FX TD an integral part of the Predator: Badlands team.
Name: Spencer Tom
Education: Campus VFX graduate September 2022 – 12 Month, Effects Technical Director Program
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Credits: Predator: Badlands, Avatar: Fire and Ash, Silo, Invasion
Work: Currently working at ILM, Vancouver location
Background
Spencer always loved being creative and solving problems. With a drive and curiosity to understand how things work, he turned his passion for discovery into a career.
This fascination manifested strongly in his love for film. Spencer was captivated not only by the stories on screen but also by the intricate processes behind them, often immersing himself in behind-the-scenes features of his favourite movies. This sparked a lifelong interest in the art and craft of filmmaking and visual storytelling.
Some of his most favourite and inspiring films include Jurassic Park, The Lord of the Rings, and Star Wars, and in particular how ILM created the volcanic planet of Mustafar where the epic duel scene took place in Revenge of the Sith – a full circle moment for Spencer to now be working at ILM.
Discovery of Campus VFX
Prior to attending Campus VFX, Spencer studied Digital Design and Development, a program that balanced artistry and technical skills.
At the same time, Spencer worked as a videographer and editor and began experimenting with Adobe After Effects. These experiences led him to explore visual effects tutorials on YouTube, igniting an intense interest in movie magic! The unique combination of creative vision and complex technical challenges in VFX, combined with his passion for filmmaking, led him to start researching what a career in visual effects could look like.
He spent time researching specialized, professional-level programs with strong reputations, and discovered Campus VFX. He watched alumni reels and was amazed by their work and inspired by their success in securing roles at industry-leading studios. This was the motivation needed for him to apply and ultimately join the program.
In the Summer of 2021, Spencer enrolled in the Effects TD 12 Month diploma program at the Vancouver campus.
Transition to Industry
Following graduation, he completed an internship at SideFX, where he had the extraordinary opportunity to deepen his knowledge in Houdini and by learning directly from the software’s developers.
“Witnessing firsthand how artist feedback shapes the software’s ongoing evolution was invaluable and significantly accelerated my development as a Houdini artist.” – S. Tom
The skills, technical insights, and professional growth Spencer gained throughout this journey culminated in a transition to Industrial Light & Magic, where he now works as an FX Technical Director.
One of his latest VFX contributions is for the movie Predator: Badlands.
Predator: Badlands was one of the first movies that he ever worked on and what a start! Like most things in life, as he was just starting out, he encountered challenges along many, rewarding moments. With pride and a sense of accomplishment, Spencer reflects on what he found hard during his first time:
- how to explain his shot in a clear and concise manner in dailies
- to ask his supervisor for help when he needed it
- to iterate quickly to meet tight deadlines
- how to navigate with other departments
- being able to adapt to new workflows
Spencer also experienced some highly rewarding moments, like:
- the opportunity to work on a blockbuster film
- feeling proud of his work and seeing the outcome on the big screen
- mentorship from his department lead, Dan Finnegan, that allowed him to rapidly
accelerate his development with the VFX pipeline - autonomy to solve creative problems on his own and the satisfaction of solving them
access to cutting-edge tools - witnessing how other artists’ shots develop over time
- growing from this experience
Spencer’s first project at ILM has helped him flourish as a visual effects artist. These challenges directly drew upon the foundational skills learned during his time at Campus VFX, particularly the emphasis on maintaining organized and adaptable setups. This approach enabled him to quickly iterate under tight deadlines, all the while understanding the balance of creativity, teamwork and client needs.
Advice and Lessons Learned
“Every step, from my first day of school to my first production shot, has been both challenging and deeply rewarding.
For aspiring VFX artists, I would recommend focusing on the fundamentals. Strong reference and careful observation are an important foundation for realism. Ask many questions and collaborate with your peers. Growth often comes from the people you work alongside.
As I continue forward, I hope to take on increasingly challenging sequences and contribute to projects that blend innovative technology with compelling storytelling.” – S Tom
Campus VFX is not just a school with a 25-year and award-winning reputation, it’s also known for its trailblazing studio setting-style learning environment; one of the first schools to specialize exclusively in visual effects training and mimicking a professional studio setting and pipeline for focused instruction.
Campus VFX (formerly Lost Boys Studios) started as an award-winning VFX studio in the 1990s and transitioned into a boutique VFX school in 2006. It became known for its highly focused, hands-on programs in compositing, FX, and lighting, long before these specializations were common in VFX education.
Aligning careers with precision and purpose – Campus VFX knows every student by name and has built a reputation on jump-starting careers for VFX artists.
We now offer online certificates and diplomas as well as Vancouver based learning.
The next intake is September 2026 and enrolment is now open. Find out more at campusvfx.com.
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This article is part of the befores & afters VFX Insight series. If you’d like to promote your VFX/animation/CG tech or service, you can find out more about the VFX Insight series here.
