In Conversation with Chad Fetzer

During the Family and Alumni weekend of 2022, I had the opportunity of meeting with SCAD alumnus Chad Fetzer. He graduated in 2014 with a B.F.A degree in Visual Effects. We can see his name in many famous movies such as Spiderman No Way Home, Thor Ragnarok, Dr. Strange, and many more, where he worked as a compositor and Visual Effects artist. Since 2015 he has worked within the company Crafty Apes in Atlanta, where he has devoted hours to bringing some incredible shots to the big screen. On Friday, April 23rd, he received the SCAD Outstanding Alumni Award at Trustees theater. I am pleased to share what I have learned from his insightful in-class presentation and the conversation I had with him. 

During his presentation, Chad shared some significant advice and answered many of the students’ questions. He emphasized taking advantage of our time at SCAD and enjoying it while we are here. The connections one makes at SCAD are priceless. Many professors have said that “networking is key within the industry.” Chad is a clear example of this. He did not get a job right after graduation. However, a little later in his career, he got referred to work at Awesome Incorporated, a small company where he was able to develop his skills in multiple projects. His connections at SCAD were the ones that helped him get a job. He recommended all of us students treasure our friendships and the connections we make here in art school.

Continuing his presentation, a girl asked if people in the industry judge you whenever you ask questions? We are often afraid of judgment from people whenever we ask a question. Would they think I’m dumb? Would they not help me? These might be some of the thoughts that cross our minds. However, in his answer, Chad emphasized not being afraid to ask questions. It is better to ask and show that you are trying to learn and grow rather than spend 2 hours with your mental gears turning trying to solve technical problems on your own. In the industry, they want you to ask questions; they want to help you get the job done. Because that is what they need of you, that is why they hire you. So, ASK QUESTIONS, don’t be afraid to ask for help. No question is dumb. 

Often starting in our creative career, we jump between the many options SCAD offers with the extensive list of majors and minors. Chad was no exception; he began as an architecture major (just to declare a major, but he did not take any architecture classes). Then he learned about Visual Effects. In the process, Chad knew that it was his passion, and he genuinely enjoyed his skill. After taking Kirt Witte’s class, Chad thought that his path was meant to be digital modeling. Then when he took Digital Lighting and Rendering with professor Bridget, he felt that he was meant to be a C.G lighter. It wasn’t until he got into the industry that he realized that his true passion was compositing. Whenever you feel overwhelmed by all the industry’s great opportunities, just remember that you are not alone in this; breathe and explore. You will find the right job that fits your skills. 

During his experience at SCAD, he did not work on any internships. However, he did collaborate with the animation department to create a massive project for one of his studio classes with professor Joe Pasquale. He worked as the lead artist for this 5-minute film. During this presentation, Chad mentioned that he would have liked to collaborate more with the film department. It was so hard to connect with students who work on the other side of town from Monty when he was in school. It was easier to communicate with Animation students since they are on the floor above the VSFX department. However, today film students are reaching out more to VSFX artists for their films, creating more collaboration. He said he would have liked to work on more live-action stuff before graduating. Therefore, Chad recommended to students that working on projects like that while in school is a great opportunity that shouldn’t go to waste. 

On a more casual note, Chad mentioned outside hobbies or practical skills that a compositor should dominate. The main one was the overall understanding of photography. Understanding how a camera works is key, not only cameras for photography but cameras for filming or recording. 

After Chad’s presentation, I was able to briefly interview him one on one and ask some additional questions: 

How did you know that F.X. was the career path for you? 

I didn’t know from the start, but once I got into digital media and gravitated to Visual Effects, it came naturally to me as a blend between art and craftsmanship. 

What would you say is the most challenging aspect of being a compositor or an F.X. artist? How do you approach those challenges?

The most challenging aspect is that a lot of times, every new shot and every new show really just presents a brand new challenge. It is things you’ve seen before, but it is just presented in a new way, in a new angle that you have to approach from. 

What was your favorite and most exciting project that you worked on either at school or in the industry? What was the most challenging one?

My favorite project that I’ve ever worked on, I’d have to say, is my work on Moon Knight because it was the first opportunity I got to work as a compositing supervisor, and it went really well. I really enjoyed it. 

The most challenging was probably Loki. It was just hard. Everything was very difficult. The archives sequence on Loki, specifically the shot where the elevator comes down from the top of the spire to the middle with the statues, was probably the most involved shot that I’ve ever been a part of. 

Could you give a piece of advice to students that are currently working to become professionals in the field of Visual Effects? 

Just keep going. You’re going to make it. If you stick around, you have the right attitude, you keep pushing for it and reaching out, talking to people and proving your work, learning new things, it is going to happen.  

Meeting and having this conversation with Chad was a very hopeful and lovely experience. His words were a reminder that our hard work is not in vain. It was an honor to witness the fruits of his success. I want to thank him for taking some time to chat with me and all the students that reached out to him. Keep growing, Chad. We are all proud of you here at SCAD.