Get the Behind the Scenes Story about Vicky McCann—Escape’s New VFX Instructor in Santa Monica

We asked Vicky McCann a few questions about her professional background and her passion for VFX and we think the answers make a pretty fun story. Grab a cup of coffee (or another drink of choice), sit back and read on. We think you'll like what you read, and will agree that she is the best person to head our new classroom VFX Production course starting November 7.

1. How did you end up working in VFX?

In 1984, my parents splurged and bought an IBM PCjr. I was in junior high, and a computer in the home was nearly unheard of at the time. I taught myself Basic (the programming language) and jumped at the opportunity to take a class in it when offered in school.

I found I had a passion for computers, so I decided to study computer science in college. One day, some representatives of the local chapter of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) came into one of my classes to invite us all to tour Wavefront Technologies. Wavefront was an early animation software company - their product was often used for visual effects in television commercials. That sounded pretty cool - why not? I signed up for the tour.

Jeff Yates, the head of R&D at Wavefront, introduced us to their high-end 3d software package, The Advanced Visualizer, running on the SGI. He let us try tumbling a car in the viewport and I remember being fascinated that the mouse had 3 buttons on it! I was completely hooked.

I was about to start my senior year of college then, so applied for a summer internship at Wavefront. Several calls and a couple interviews later, I was offered an internship position and started learning about computer generated imagery using Wavefront's Advanced Visualizer. This is one of the software packages that eventually became Maya.

This foot in the door led me to experience exciting opportunities at DreamWorks Feature Animation, Electronic Arts, Disney, and Industrial Light & Magic.

2. What is it that you find so fascinating about VFX?

I love the challenges and the technological advancements that VFX brings to the table. There is always something new and innovating to discover: tools that make processes faster; techniques that make CG look more photo-real.

3. What are the favorite projects you have worked on and why?

The first Pirates movie, Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl, is dear to my heart because it was the first movie I worked on as an actual production artist. I worked on cloth simulations for the sequence where the pirate crew turned into skeletons in the moonlight. It was a fun project, and my colleagues were wonderful and generous with their knowledge.

I also got to work on cloth simulations for Harry Potter 3: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Also an amazing experience.

4. What is your favorite VFX sequence of all time?

There are so many great visual effects sequences - it's really difficult to narrow down my favorite. There are some that come to mind - from Star Wars, Star Trek, The Matrix, The Abyss, Terminator, Jurassic Park, Inception...the list goes on and on.

That being said, I can think of two scenes that really stand out: in Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest there is a scene where Davy Jones plays the pipe organ with his tentacles. It is such a powerful scene, and the visuals really help to portray the depth of Davy Jone's sadness - not to mention his passion for Calypso.

The other shot is the ending shot in the first Men In Black movie - when the camera zooms out from the planet, through the galaxy, and eventually onto another planet with an alien playing marbles with the galaxies. It was such an unexpected, yet fascinating ending to a fun movie, and therefore memorable.

5. Why did you decide it was the right time to start teaching?

I have been learning my whole life. I find that teaching enables me to learn even more. As a result of my internship with Wavefront Technologies, my first job out of college was in technical support. This led to providing onsite training and educational seminar, which eventually led to a technical training position at DreamWorks Feature animation. Helping people to learn and grow has been my passion for as long as I can remember.

6. Why did you decide to join Escape Studios?

I have been in production for three different movies since my last teaching stint; I found I really missed teaching and the rewards that come with helping people to succeed in making beautiful imagery for the big screen.

When Escape Studios, a leader in computer education, contacted me with the rare opportunity to do what I love, I jumped at the chance. This is my dream job: to teach at such a well-established company, in one of the most exciting industries, and in one of the best locations on the planet.