{"id":378226,"date":"2026-01-19T09:25:15","date_gmt":"2026-01-19T09:25:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/378226\/"},"modified":"2026-01-19T09:25:15","modified_gmt":"2026-01-19T09:25:15","slug":"how-a-childhood-movie-obsession-turned-into-a-career-in-film-vfx-and-games","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/378226\/","title":{"rendered":"How a childhood movie obsession turned into a career in film, VFX and games"},"content":{"rendered":"

We all love the films like Jurassic Park<\/a> and Toy Story<\/a>, and the spellbinding craft of classic Disney animation<\/a>, but not all of us turn that passion into a career. Pat Imrie took his childhood love for the best ’90s films<\/a> and turned it into a 17-year career across the creative industries, starting as a freelance 3D generalist before evolving into more than a decade in film and high-end visual effects.<\/p>\n

Along the way, Pat has worked shoulder to shoulder with artists at some of the industry\u2019s most respected studios, including Framestore<\/a>, DNEG, Cinesite, and Scanline VFX. His experience spans VFX, animated features, episodic work, and games, with a skillset that runs comfortably through the entire pipeline. From early concept art<\/a> to final assets, he\u2019s fluent in the best 3D modelling software<\/a>, with concept modelling, digital sculpture, modelling, and texturing sitting at the core of his practice.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

In this interview, we talk to Pat Imrie (via sister magazine ImagineFX<\/a>) about the creative challenges of working in 3D, how the industry has changed for the better, and about his continued reliance on sketching as a starting point. If you’re inspired, read our guide to the best drawing tablets, <\/a>take a look at the best 3D art<\/a>, and start creating yourself.<\/p>\n

You may like<\/p>\n

Visit Pat Imrie’s website<\/a> for more of his work and film credits.<\/p>\n

\n

\"A\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Pat Imrie)CB: Where did your artistic journey start?<\/p>\n

Pat Imrie: I was always drawing and sketching as a kid and originally aspired to be a comic book artist. However, after seeing Jurassic Park and Toy Story in the cinema and more specifically the behind-the-scenes details in books and magazines, it got me hooked on how movies were made andI decided then that I wanted to work on films.<\/p>\n

That idea faded over the next few years, and I thought about \u2018real\u2019 jobs. However, when I was 14, I read an issue of 3D World magazine, which reignited my interest in CG, film, and animation. I learned everything I could about the industry. Initially thinking I might become an animator, it wasn\u2019t until I read an article on the visual effects behind the film Underworld that it all clicked for me: that this is what I truly wanted to do as a career. <\/p>\n

CB: What plays in the background while you work? <\/p>\n

Pat Imrie: Movies are my go-to for when I\u2019m working \u2013 always something I\u2019ve seen hundreds of times, so it doesn\u2019t distract me. The Goonies, Indiana Jones, Back to the Future, and the Alien franchise are the most common. Alternatively, I\u2019ll listen to podcasts or documentaries \u2013 anything informative or interesting. Topics can range from wildlife, historical, true crime\u2026 even supernatural or paranormal myths and legends are in the rotation. <\/p>\n

CB: If you were starting out now, what words of wisdom would you most appreciate?<\/p>\n

Pat Imrie: Setting boundaries as an artist and knowing your worth would probably be high on that list. It\u2019s important for your own well-being, which is something I didn\u2019t consider as a younger artist. Additionally, learning that it\u2019s OK (and normal) to fail and that it can be more beneficial to your growth as an artist than the successes are. <\/p>\n

\n

\"A\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Pat Imrie)CB: Are there any challenges to working in 3D?<\/p>\n

Pat Imrie: There are several challenges to working in 3D, with each one being unique to the specialism you work in. Be that modelling, animation, rendering, and so on. Artistically, for me, one of those challenges is adapting a 2D design into 3D. Copying it will only get you so far \u2013 you must reinterpret the design, altering it in the right places to ensure you retain the original \u2018character\u2019 of the design while equally respecting the design choices of the original artist. <\/p>\n

CB: How has the 3D\/VFX industry changed for the better since you\u2019ve been working in it?<\/p>\n

Pat Imrie: Accessibility. It\u2019s so much easier to get into 3D and VFX than ever before. Learning resources are more plentiful than when I started. Hardware and software, while still expensive, are more affordable, and in many cases, there\u2019s a litany of open-source alternatives to enable anyone to start creating. Open source is kind of like today\u2019s equivalent of getting free software on a disc from a magazine! You can try things out, be creative, and just enjoy the process. I wish I could go back and experience that again. <\/p>\n

CB: Do you tend to stick to 3D or do you sketch and draw as well? If so, what and why?<\/p>\n

Pat Imrie: I always have a sketchbook within reach \u2013 it\u2019s still my go-to before I go anywhere near the computer. Sketching and writing out my thoughts is still my preference \u2013 I find it\u2019s the most direct way to get the idea out of my head. <\/p>\n

CB: Do you have an ongoing passion project?<\/p>\n

Pat Imrie: Yes! It\u2019s a short film project that has evolved several times over the past several years as I have continued to develop it. It\u2019s based on a short story that a friend of mine wrote while they were at university. I finished a new draft of the script recently, and I have started the modelling process of the main character, which is a big milestone for the project. Currently, the plan is to produce it in Unreal Engine.<\/p>\n

The tech to get started, and yes, you’ll need a sketchbook:
\n<\/p>\n

\n

\"Fuxi,\n<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Fuxi<\/p>\n

Fuxi 9″ X 12″ Sketch Book<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n

\"uni,\n<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

uni<\/p>\n

Hi-Uni Wooden Pencil Art Set<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n

\"Xencelabs,\n<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Xencelabs<\/p>\n

Medium Drawing Tablet Bundle<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n

\"Wacom,\n<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Wacom<\/p>\n

Cintiq 16 Drawing Tablet<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n

\"Rocky\n<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Rocky Nook<\/p>\n

Morpho: Simplified Forms: Anatomy for Artists<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n

\"Packt\n<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Packt Publishing<\/p>\n

Sculpting in ZBrush Made Simple<\/p>\n

Daily design news, reviews, how-tos and more, as picked by the editors.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"We all love the films like Jurassic Park and Toy Story, and the spellbinding craft of classic Disney…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":378227,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[27],"tags":[96,2839,56,54,55],"class_list":{"0":"post-378226","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-movies","8":"tag-entertainment","9":"tag-movies","10":"tag-uk","11":"tag-united-kingdom","12":"tag-unitedkingdom"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/378226","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=378226"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/378226\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/378227"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=378226"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=378226"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=378226"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}