Meet Ignatius Jonathan Sugijono | Digital Compositor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ignatius Jonathan Sugijono and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ignatius Jonathan, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I pursued an artistic and creative career because, despite graduating from a top STEM high school in my hometown, Indonesia, I discovered a profound sense of fulfillment and freedom in creative journey. While my academic background exposed me to the rigorous world of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, which I am glad that I learned all of those subjects, I found that engaging in creative activities allowed me to explore a realm where I felt a genuine sense of passion and personal connection. This realization became even more pronounced as I got into the field of visual effects (VFX) as a compositor.

In the dynamic world of VFX, I found a unique intersection of technical and artistic expression. The structured nature of STEM fields contrasted sharply with the fluidity and imagination that VFX and compositing offered. Working as a compositor allowed me to combine my technical foundation with the freedom to bring visual stories to life, creating immersive and captivating experiences for audiences. Despite my STEM-focused educational background, the creative process in VFX doesn’t feel like an obligation; rather, it is a source of joy and personal connection. I discovered that within the creative space, particularly in the VFX industry, I could tap into a reservoir of passion, channeling it into crafting visually stunning narratives that resonate with audiences on a profound level. Since I started learning about Visual Effects in Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), my dream was to work on a high-end Hollywood movie and seeing my name in the credits will definitely bring me joy.

Choosing a career in the VFX industry enabled me to transfer the traditional STEM disciplines. It provided a platform to express my unique perspective, allowing me to seamlessly blend technical expertise with artistic intuition. In the world of compositing, I’ve come to appreciate the spontaneity and diversity of thought that creative journey bring, where every project becomes an opportunity for innovation and self-expression. Fun fact, Visual Effects is considered a STEM major, and that is one of the reason why I feel comfortable working in the VFX industry.

The decision to navigate an artistic path within the VFX industry was, and continues to be, fueled by a desire to escape the feeling of obligation and embrace a field where every project is an exciting exploration. Each project that I work on has their own struggle and excitement. Working in a fast-paced tight-deadline project definitely brought out my STEM discipline where you have to focus more to get the work done. Whereas a more laid back project is an opportunity for me to explore more on the creative side and play around with the colors and effects. Here, the synergy between technical and creative freedom not only aligns with my interests but also allows me to shape a career that is deeply fulfilling and uniquely my own.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Working in the creative industry, particularly the film industry, is definitely something that I won’t regret doing. My journey started when I was studying Visual Effects in Savannah College of Art and Design. As I mentioned, I came from not-so-creative community and deciding to pursue a creative path was something quite surprising for my family. My freshman year it was a very challenging for me to learn all the new knowledge.

Fast forward to my senior year, after learning all the software which has their own specialty and are used in the visual effects industry, one specialization really stands out to me, which is compositing, and I decided that I will pursue a career as a compositor. Embarking on my journey in the visual effects industry as a compositor has been an amazing adventure, where it’s a seamless integration of creativity and technical expertise. I started working in a visual effects studio in Atlanta, SPINVFX. I learned a bunch of skills that will be useful for me in the long run.

As a compositor, I’ve assumed the role of a digital artist, combining separate elements to create immersive cinematic imagery. Each project has their own struggle and each one of them challenged me to push the boundaries of my skills and explore new techniques. From mastering green screen keying to seamlessly integrating 3D elements into 2D footage, it all contributes to the overall masterpiece. The fast-paced and collaborative nature of the industry has make me appreciate more for teamwork and adaptability, especially in a tight-deadline projects.

Being a compositor for this past year really shaped me who I am today. I learned a lesson that I might not get if I go to another path and I’m proud to say that I achieved one of my dreams since I start learning VFX, which is to work in a Marvel movie. I was excited even though I knew that it was not going to be easy, but hey, I’m glad I wen through that. This journey as a compositor is still an ongoing exploration and I can’t wait to see what’s next for me in this industry.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would say it depends on the person’s preference because I feel like Atlanta has a lot to offer. For me personally, the first thing I would do if I were to visit another city is explore the cuisine. I would search for a great Asian restaurant because it’s my comfort food. Travelling is eating for me and being from Indonesia, food is one thing that I can really enjoy, especially the experience of trying different kind of food. In Atlanta, there are various Asian restaurant that you can try, from Chinese food, Filipino cuisine, Indonesian food, and many more, you named it, I think Atlanta has it.

For the first day, I would take them to either, called So Kong Dong, a Korean restaurant that has the best Korean soup or Quoc Huong, my favorite restaurant in Atlanta, a humble Vietnamese cuisine that is always packed during lunch time. I would say that both places is kind of my go-to place to eat if I’m not sure what to eat. If you like sushi, there are two restaurant that I would recommend, Eight Sushi Lounge in Howell Mill and Fudo in Chamblee, those places are the best for sushi, but it is kind of pricey. For places to visit, I would take them to Georgia Aquarium, the biggest aquarium in the United States and the World of Coca-Cola, where you can view hundreds of Coca-Cola artifacts and mix your own fizzy drink recipe. At least, you should go there at least once if you visit Atlanta.

Hang out places for me is just a cozy cafe that I can order a latte or bubble tea, which Atlanta has a lot of and they are scattered across the city. I would recommend PERC, a local coffee shop that has a great vibe and nice drink. They have around 3 cafes around Atlanta. Duluth (a 30-minute drive from Midtown Atlanta) has a various bubble tea that you can try and there are a lot of great foods to. Going there for a meal or hang-out is a must since it’s a great area with a lot to offer.
Again it depends on the preference of the person, but Atlanta is amazing in terms of places that we can visit.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
In this unpredictable journey of life, from high school to the dynamic world of visual effects as a compositor, I want to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude to the two remarkable individuals who have been my unwavering pillars of support – my parents (I know it’s a basic answer, but I wouldn’t be here if not because of them).

Their belief in my ability to take the path in a unique and creative career, even when it is not common from Indonesian families expectations, has been an invaluable source of strength. From their encouragement to their love, every frame of my professional story is painted with their influence, started when in my first project as a compositor until I achieve one of my dreams, which is to work in a Marvel movie. Their incredible support has not only allowed me to explore my creative side but has also been a constant reassurance during moments of doubt.

I want to celebrate my parents for being the number one supporter of my dreams, the behind-the-scenes heroes of my film journey, and the constants in my ever-evolving story. This shoutout is a thank you message to the remarkable individuals who have taught me that true success lies in chasing and embracing our own dreams. So, here’s to Mom and Dad – the ones who help me get back up when I fell down and who are always there for me (virtually & physically). I thank both of you.

Website: www.ignatiusjonathan.com

Instagram: ignatiusjonathann

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ignatiusjonathansugijono/

Image Credits
Umbrella Academy S3, Shantaram