Josh Rizzo: BUas alumnus working as a FX artist at Axis Studios

What are some of the best memories from your time at BUas? 

Josh: ‘During my second year, I had an incredible experience delving into the world of VFX for games, both in real-time and pre-rendered media. I got a lot of support from my lecturers, even though VFX wasn't part of the official curriculum back then. Because I displayed enthusiasm and dedication, they encouraged me to pursue my interests.’  

‘Another standout memory from my time at BUas was when I became a part of a Tech Guild during my third year. We served as an outsourcing team, helping other teams build their games. This guild also provided a platform for research and development, enabling us to discover innovative solutions. The meetings and collaborations with students from different years were very productive.’ 

Could you tell us about your graduation? 

Josh: ‘For my graduation, I had the opportunity to undertake a year-long work placement at Axis Studios, and I am still employed there to this day. It all began when Axis Studios visited BUas during an industry day, and it was during this event that I knew I wanted to work there. During my work placement I was working remotely from home and was fortunate to be treated as a junior artist rather than just an intern. Axis Studios is known for creating cinematics for games. But also, for series and movies for platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime.’  

‘During my work placement at Axis Studios, I had the privilege of being involved in a lot of different projects. The range of tasks I worked on was diverse, including creating stunning effects like explosions, dust, and smoke. Each project had a duration of approximately 2-3 months, allowing me to gain valuable experience and refine my skills. A particularly exciting opportunity was when I contributed to an episode of the series "Love, Death + Robots". Being part of such a high-profile project was an incredible experience that further fuelled my passion for VFX.’ 

What are your future plans?  

Josh: ‘As for my future goals, I have a strong desire to specialize further in my field and actively contribute to shaping innovative workflows and pushing boundaries. In the coming years, I envision myself leading a small team, exploring cutting-edge technologies, and venturing into new pipelines and workflows.’ 

What advice do you have for current CMGT students? 

Josh: ‘Firstly, I highly recommend learning Houdini (developed by SideFX). I spend approximately 90% of my time working with this powerful software, leveraging its capabilities to create stunning visual effects and bring my artistic visions to life. Houdini offers immense benefits for various roles in the gaming industry, including games development, level design, and even programming for procedural generated content. Additionally, acquiring coding skills can be incredibly useful for automating workflows and streamlining processes.’ 

‘My biggest tip is to avoid getting too fixated on one specific area too early in your studies. Instead, embrace the opportunity to try out different things and explore diverse aspects of the field. By doing so, you'll have the chance to develop a well-rounded skill set and gain a deeper understanding of how different elements intertwine within the industry. Expanding your knowledge and venturing beyond your comfort zone can truly make you a better artist and professional. So, seize the chance to explore different facets of the job, nurture your skills, and embrace the collaborative nature of the industry.’  

Do you want to know more about Josh Rizzo? You can find him on LinkedIn.