THE amazing digital special effects and computer generated imagery in the latest Avengers: Endgame movie are just as important in telling the epic and engaging story of Marvel’s superheroes.
From the big threatening villain Thanos to the smashing fury of the incredible Hulk, the visual aspects and subtleties of the various awe-inspiring characters are brought to life onscreen by teams of hardworking animators.
A Malaysian by the name of Nicholas Quek Way Wern is one of the creative sparks to have worked on the big budget Avengers movie which is currently thrilling fans worldwide and raking in lots of money.
The 31-year-old senior animator works for ILM (Industrial Light & Magic) at its overseas facility in Singapore. The famed American movie visual effects company was founded in 1975 by George Lucas in California.
Since then, the multiple award-winning outfit, which is currently owned by Walt Disney Studios, has been responsible for a long list of iconic screen extravaganzas from the first Star Wars movie in 1977 to the Jurassic Park franchise and the successful Marvel series of movies.
Quek was born in Kuala Terengganu, where he spent most of his childhood there. His family eventually moved to Selangor when he was 12, and that’s where he stayed until he was 26. He pursued his creative dreams and now resides in Singapore.
Below Quek talks about his adventures in animation and working at the renowned ILM.
WHAT SPARKED YOUR INTEREST IN ANIMATION?
If you gave me a book to read or study, it would most definitely end up with random doodles on the pages.
Yes, I was that kid that was always drawing in the corner. Truth be told, I wasn’t very good at drawing when I was young, but that only drove me to want to master it even more.
WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO PURSUE THIS AS A CAREER?
I knew at an early age that I was never going to do well in a 9 to 5 job. I loved cartoons and sports when I was young and so decided to either become a professional squash player or an artist.
I was training for squash full time until the age of 17 but realised that prospects were limited and decided it was time to pursue something else. That’s when I started to take art more seriously.
I started my animation journey at The One Academy in Malaysia.
WHAT AND WHO ARE YOUR INFLUENCES AND HEROES IN TERMS OF ART AND CREATIVITY OR EVEN LIFE IN GENERAL?
Creatively, I don’t have any heroes that I look up to, but I do have films that inspired me when I was growing up.
The first Transformers movie was one of the most mind blowing experiences for me.
I can remember walking out of the cinema, and something clicked. I felt an overwhelming desire to work in the animation industry.
Another was Avatar by James Cameron. The visual effects and the fantasy world that was created were just so beautiful and engaging that the desire in me intensified.
As for heroes in life, it would have to go to my parents (Richard and Nancy Quek). I have witnessed first-hand how they are constantly faced with challenges, be it financially or emotionally. They always come through together stronger.
HOW DID YOU SCORE A JOB AT THE WORLD RENOWNED ILM?
I was referred to by a friend to apply to ILM Singapore one day.
To be honest, I didn’t really have very high hopes in getting the job. But to my surprise, they liked my work and decided to give me a contract job.
After the contract ended, they reached out to me for another job, and another.
Today, I'm a permanent staff here in ILM.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR JOB AND WHAT YOU DO AT ILM.
My job as an animator at ILM is to understand the director’s vision of what the characters are supposed to deliver in the shot.
WHAT DID YOU DO ON AVENGERS: ENDGAME?
On Avengers: Endgame, we mainly worked on sequences with heavy facial and animation such as the scenes with SmartHulk.
WHAT OTHER MOVIES HAVE YOU WORKED ON BEFORE?
I’ve worked on projects such as World Of Warcraft, Bumblebee, Ready Player One, Aquaman, and Avengers: Endgame was the most recent.
AND WHAT UPCOMING MOVIES ARE YOU WORKING ON?
I’m currently working on Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker.
WHAT WERE THE CHALLENGES THAT YOU FACED ON THE AVENGERS MOVIE?
It was really challenging to get the look right and to bring the emotion over into a 3D puppet.
Thankfully, we had plenty of acting footages by the actor, Mark Ruffalo, to reference from. We had to get up close and study all the nuances and micro movements that Mark makes when giving his performance to further enhance the animation to make it look believable and great on screen.
I'd like to give a shoutout to everyone in the animation Team in Singapore. They really did an inspiring job.
ARE YOU A BIG FAN OF SUPERHERO COMICS AND THE MOVIES?
I wasn’t really a big fan of comics or superheroes only because when I was growing up, they weren’t as accessible.
With the exception of Sunday morning cartoons of course.
But after working on a few of the superhero movies, I came to be more interested in them.
YOUR FAVOURITE SUPERHERO?
I like The Flash just because he can run super fast.
HAVE YOU EVER MET ANY HOLLYWOOD STARS AS PART OF YOUR WORK?
I have not met any Hollywood stars so far in my career. Maybe in the future.
WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE BEST THING ABOUT WHAT YOU DO?
It’s hard to choose a specific thing, but being able to work alongside super creative and inspiring people is one of it.
And of course, wearing comfortable attire to work.
WHAT DO YOU THINK AND FEEL WHEN YOU SEE YOUR WORK ON DISPLAY ON THE BIG CINEMA SCREEN?
Seeing my work displayed on the big screen is very fulfilling, especially when you share the experience with friends and family. When the credits roll and you see your name, there is always a sense of relief.
Like you’ve finally completed a very long marathon.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE THE QUALITIES THAT A PERSON NEEDS TO HAVE IN ORDER TO DO WHAT YOU DO? AND WHAT WOULD BE YOUR ADVICE TO UPCOMING ANIMATORS OR KIDS THINKING OF BECOMING AN ANIMATOR?
I think one of the most important things is to keep learning, and improving. Everyone has to go through their own growth rate to be where they want to be, so don’t be discouraged if it takes you a bit longer to get things right at first.
Also, stay humble and be open to criticism.
Skills are important, but having a good attitude is just as important.
I myself still think I have a long way to go in terms of mastering animation.
My advice for the up and coming animators is to do your own studying.
The internet is so vast, and full of information now that everything is out there for you to learn.
WHAT ARE YOUR HOBBIES AND THINGS YOU LIKE TO DO DURING YOUR FREE TIME?
Being an introvert, I take comfort in staying home, watching movies, playing games and even doing some personal animation of my own.
I also play squash regularly here in Singapore.
Avengers: Endgame is currently playing in cinemas.