Q&A with NYFA Alum Arina Andriushchenko, part of the Emmy-winning VFX team on What If...? – An Immersive Story

NYFA Alum Arina Andriushchenko is a graduate of NYFA's 3D Animation and VFX Los Angeles Campus. She is a talented real-time VFX artist at ILM Immersive, part of Lucasfilm's innovative storytelling studio. In this interview Arina shares her journey to finding her passion in animation and VFX.

 Join us as we delve into her experiences and projects—including Emmy-nominated Tab Time and the cutting-edge Emmy-winning What If...? – An Immersive Story—as well as the invaluable lessons she learned at NYFA that continue to shape her remarkable career.

NYFA Alumni Network: Can you tell us a bit about yourself, where you're from, and what brought you to New York Film Academy?

A.A: I am a real-time VFX artist at ILM Immersive, Lucasfilm's immersive storytelling studio, leading the way into a new era of mixed and virtual reality entertainment. I would simply say that I came from a point of being a surgeon to becoming an aspiring VFX artist. The journey was thorny and winding and I had to switch a lot of fields and interests along the way. It wasn't a matter of failing – I was just trying to experiment and try new things. When I began my journey at NYFA as a screenwriting student I was searching for a creative writing program to hone my skills as a writer and storyteller.

With several options available, I chose NYFA because of its Hollywood location, believing there was no better place to learn screenwriting. I was drawn to it by its reputation for hands-on training, diverse programs, and the opportunity to learn from industry professionals. And I should say, it was totally worth it. Even though, after a few semesters I have switched from Screenwriting to Animation and VFX program, I still cherish the time I was among the screenwriters. I want to express my gratitude to the screenwriting department and all the teachers who have taught me there, as I believe that their knowledge and experience are invaluable. 

NYFA Alumni Network: What projects have you worked on since graduating?

A.A: My first project involved contributions from many NYFA alumni. I worked on Tab Time, an Emmy-nominated and NAACP Image Award-winning children's series. I’m grateful to Matthew Galuppo, Associate Chair of NYFA-LA 3D Animation & VFX, for this opportunity. It was my first major project after graduation, where I handled 3D tracking, compositing, facial and character animation. Following this, I was hired by ILM Immersive and have since worked on numerous projects while at the studio. My first major role as a junior VFX artist was on Star Wars: Tales from the Galaxy's Edge - Enhanced Edition, released for PlayStation VR2 in 2023. In this project, I had the chance to work extensively with sparks, rigid-body simulations, and explosions. Specifically, I updated explosions and sparks during droid battles, added dynamic effects like dust and debris on the ground and columns of a collapsing bridge, and included exhaust effects from Tara’s rocket launcher. I also created trails of smoke, sparks, and flames for the rockets. And, of course, there were a lot more explosions — if you would go through the experience you would notice the amount of barrels that were blown up by me. After this project, I had another project come onto my plate and made a large career move. I was promoted and transferred to our ILM Singapore office, where I worked as a VFX artist for nearly a year and a half. During this time, I handled various VFX tasks and supported the local ILM Immersive team. We began work on the “What If...? – An Immersive Story” there and continued wrapping it up upon my return to the SF office at the beginning of this year.

NYFA Alumni Network: Tell us more about "What If...? – An Immersive Story" & how you got involved in the project?
A.A: “What If...? – An Immersive Story” is an exclusive project for Apple Vision Pro that delves into alternate realities within the Marvel Universe. It has recently been invited to showcase at the Venice International Film Festival in their Immersive “Best of Experiences” section. This groundbreaking mixed reality experience immerses you in Marvel's alternate realities, allowing you to explore various worlds, interact with different versions of your favorite characters, and wield the power of the Infinity Stones. As you navigate these realities, be ready for surprises, as not everything is as it seems.

I was blown away by the final result when I had the chance to experience it myself. I became involved with the project while at ILM Singapore, contributing to its initial development. My role focused on creating and refining VFX elements to enhance the overall experience. As the project neared completion, I transitioned back to the SF office. This project provided a significant opportunity to apply and expand my skills in VFX, and being part of such a high-profile venture was incredibly exciting.

NYFA Alumni Network: How was your experience working on this project? What were your responsibilities?
A.A: Working on “What If...? – An Immersive Story” was a truly exciting and rewarding experience. This experience leverages the high level of fidelity offered by Apple Vision Pro and is set to showcase how 3D movies can be compelling in the context of immersive entertainment. My responsibilities included creating and refining various VFX elements to enhance the immersive quality of the project. This involved implementing visual effects that contributed to the overall experience, from dynamic scene elements to intricate details that brought it all to life.  I collaborated closely with a talented team, which was instrumental in overcoming technical and creative challenges. Being part of the initial development phase in ILM Singapore allowed me to apply and expand my skills. One notable challenge was managing the transition between mixed reality pass-through and fully immersive VR. The experience pushes the boundaries of immersive storytelling by combining cinematic traditions with new interactive elements. It allows for full immersion into the universe, making characters and scenes come alive around you.

Personally, this project has been a significant growth opportunity, enhancing my skills in VFX and expanding my understanding of interactive storytelling. The positive feedback from users and industry professionals has been incredibly gratifying and underscores the project’s impact. This experience sets a precedent for future developments in immersive entertainment and VFX, hinting at exciting possibilities ahead.

NYFA Alumni Network: What did you learn at NYFA that you applied directly to this project and others?

A.A: At NYFA, I learned several key skills that I applied directly to this project and others. The hands-on training in VFX techniques, compositing, and animation, provided a solid foundation for my work at ILM Immersive in general. The emphasis on storytelling and understanding visual dynamics helped me create more compelling and immersive effects. Additionally, the collaborative environment at NYFA prepared me for working effectively within a team, which was crucial for any project I've been involved in. The practical experience and feedback I received during my time at NYFA were instrumental in shaping my approach to VFX and storytelling in immersive experiences.

NYFA congratulates Arina on all of her success!