Meet Phirada Kanjanangkulpunt | Artist & World Traveller

We had the good fortune of connecting with Phirada Kanjanangkulpunt and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Phirada, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I was born and raised in Bangkok, Thailand.

In comparison to a Southeast Asian family in the early 2000s, I was brought up in a very open-minded and forward-thinking environment. I was able to choose and experiment on what I enjoy doing and what I did not. I went through language courses, film courses, drawing classes and even science camp during school breaks, I wasn’t sure on what I wanted to pursue in life, but one thing that was always on the back of my mind is that I wanted to see the world outside of Thailand. It could be from my family’s love for travel. The first flight of my life was when I was one year old. We kept organizing trips each year and I kept seeing a glimpse of the world growing up. Not only because of travel experience, my household is also a big factor for me to understand and embrace societal differences. Despite my parents being married for more than twenty years, they hold their different faith; my mother is Christian and my dad is a Buddhist. I grew up learning both without a pressure on taking on one or the other. The freedom of learning and choosing on my own led me to be very cautious on my decision but also understand how differences came together peacefully.

As a clueless high schooler, I found a one-of-a-life-time opportunity with United World College, which is an educational movement and a network of high schools with a goal of international and cultural understanding. I was selected through the national committee of Thailand to finish an IB diploma at UWC Atlantic, in a small town in Wales, where I joined students from more than 90 nationalities for two years. It was such a big leap from a public school in Thailand, to living abroad with strangers in the unknown culture. Those years were one of the most intriguing and unique experiences one could ever ask for. I volunteered for a refugee camp for a year, set up a dementia cafe project, led a Southeast Asian cultural night, and even organized a project for rough sleepers in other city. As I was proud of who I became; to be a more independent and well-rounded person, I was struggling on what I wanted after high school.

Right after my high school graduation, my passion for society motivated me to enroll in a liberal arts college based in Germany for politics. However, as much as I love to continue the degree, I found that my longing for the art was always in the back of my mind.

Taking a big jump from the liberal arts, I enrolled at SCAD as a Visual Effects student. Looking at my high school alumni, I was only a minority that pursued fine arts, but I always reminded myself that I can still be an artist, and also be an advocate for a cause. I have always amazed by the process of filmmaking, especially the post-production part of it. Savannah became my second home, not just because I lived there, but the people and support system were there for me. I was very proud of my work ethics and technical skill. My first credit on a TV series was through my first internship. Every time I saw my name on the screen, I felt that all the hard work has paid off, even though it is just a beginning of my career. Not only do I love what I do, but the people around me were one of the most supportive industries I have ever met.

With some work experience during my bachelor’s degree, I thought that I would be finished with education (for now) once I graduated from SCAD. As an opportunity seeker, I was heavily on job hunting, as most recent grads would do, but I also keep my eyes out for anything else that I am interested in. When it comes to the week of my SCAD graduation, I got unexpected, yet, great news. I received a scholarship offer to pursue a master’s degree in Computer Science at University College Dublin. With my interest to bring technical aspects to the world of creative industry, I will be heading to Ireland for my next chapter. I am very grateful for what adventures I have gone through and to the journey that comes next.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I think a lot of people did not know what visual effects (VFX) actually is, and would assume that it was mostly creating bombs or fire in superheroes movies. It actually has more than making fake fire or bombs in post-production. VFX is a broad terms for computer graphics, specifically applies to live action footage (aka videos) after it was shot. Within the industries, I specialized in CG work which means I deal with 3D work rather than compositing which handle 2D images.

My work is leaning toward realism in aesthetic. If it is a solo work, I would do everything from designing, 3D modeling, scene layout texturing, lighting and rendering. If it were to be a team project, I would usually be on modeling, lighting and rendering job. I have collaborated with fellow classmates for short films and also collaborate with motion designers as well. It was never easy doing a VFX job when sometimes audiences barely recognized your industry, but the outcome has always amazed me on how far technology and creativity has combined together.

The skill in 3D software could also be translated to motion graphic industries, as well as moving toward more technical role in the post-production studio. I think my work constitute both creativity and technical skill to be able to achieve a balance in a career.

For the past few years, we have seen some filmmakers promoting their film as ‘no CGI’, when you could obviously see the credits of VFX crews at the end of the movie. Some other movie, also sadly, excluded the name of the artists who worked night and day for that film. We did not think of the fame or credits because we love what we do, but I would love for the film and entertainment industry to recognized post-production work rather than have us hidden behind the screen.

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.
Savannah is a great place for history and sightsee!

Best place to eat and drink : Huey’s (for beignets and Southern food), Yia Yia’s (best Gyro), FraLi Gourment (best homemade pasta), Flying Monk (for various Asian cuisine), Little Duck Diner (for the vibes), Goody’s (best sandwiches!), Foxy Loxy, Sly’s Sliders, Art’s

Places for my fellow history nerds : Savannah History Museum (for the bench in Forrest Gump), Andrew Low House, Owen-Thomas House, Devonport House, Wormsloe Historic Site, Bonaventure Cemetery, Pin Point Heritage Museum

Places for the artsy ones : SCAD Museum of Art, Jepson Center, Telfair Museum, SCADStory, Saturday Farmer’s Market

Must see : Basilica of St. John the Baptist, River Street, Forsyth Park, City Market, Starland District

Spooky visits : Graveface Museum, Sorrel-Weed House, Colonial Park Cemetery, and any ghost tour might be fun!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
The most important people that I have to give the biggest shoutout to is my parents. They are my supporter since my first breath. Until now, I couldn’t be where I am today without their support. The biggest thing in our little family is trust, and they trust me to decide on my path and happiness for myself. BIG BIG HUGS TO THEM.

I would also love to give the biggest applause to my teachers, mentors and professors! They did their jobs beyond what they had to. I admire their experience and strengths in pushing me to be the best in my own ways.

Lastly, my friends who has been listening and supporting my worst and best days. You guys are my home away from home! Love you lots.

Website: https://phiradavfx.com

Instagram: https://phirada.vfx

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

Other: Vimeo : https://vimeo.com/phiradakan