Creative GradFest21: “Find what you’re good at, and work really hard at it”

Visual Effects and Motion Graphics student Kirsty Cutler has just started her first job as a runner at a Electric Theatre Collective, a visual effects company in London. 

As part of Creative GradFest21, Kirsty, 23, from the Rhondda Valleys, tells us more about her time at USW.

“I chose the University because it offered the best resources and course for me to be able to achieve what I wanted. I also love Cardiff as a city, so I was really happy there was a visual effects course available in the area. 

“I’ve recently accepted a job at Electric Theatre Collective as a runner, and within six months I’ll be promoted to a full time digital matte painter (DMP) artist, which involves digitally painting photo-realistic environments for films and TV.

“I am loving my time at the company and loving the London life. I feel so grateful to have gotten a job straight out of university, and it being in a runner’s role helps me to ease into the industry. 

“My advice to anyone who wants to go into visual effects is to find what you’re good at, and work really hard at it. Nothing comes easy, but if you want it enough you will achieve everything you want to achieve. Improvement and growth is inevitable.”