Find Kate: https://www.katexagoraris.com/

Learn Houdini FX: https://www.cgspectrum.com/courses/fx-simulation

In this week’s interview, Kate Xagoraris, Midlevel Effects Artist at SPIN VFX & CG Spectrum Mentor of Houdini FX, joins Maxine to discuss her popular Houdini tutorials blog, her work on medical and science visualization tools, dealing with impostor syndrome, being pigeon-holed at work and how to break out of that pattern, as well as embracing the fear that comes with working in FX. As always, we dive into plenty of practical and actionable tips for advancing in your career.

Kate Xagoraris is an FX artist currently working for SPIN VFX. She's worked on projects like Nightmare Alley, The Witcher, and Raised by Wolves, Vikings: Valhalla, and The Boys. She also runs a popular science and visual effects blog called More VFX Help, where she covers Houdini and much more, and has her own YouTube channel, @Kate .

🔗 Episode notes: https://www.cgspectrum.com/podcast/break-through-imposter-syndrome-fx-artist-kate-xagoraris

00:00 Intro

01:50 Kate’s background in animation and first steps in Houdini

06:30 Introducing science into effects work

07:30 How Kate’s blog started and her most popular articles

12:30 Inside the studio: “Production doesn’t know what artists do”

14:52 Tips for people who want to move up in their career

18:15 Navigating growth in a studio environment

22:22 How to deal with getting typecast or pigeonholed for one skill

25:51 Challenging yourself versus working in your comfort zone, doing one thing a day that scares you

28:48 The story behind Kate’s first Houdini shot on The Boys

35:06 The pressure of being the first woman on her FX team

42:30 How Kate writes her blog posts knowing her colleagues might come across them

45:10 Dealing with impostor syndrome

47:55 The importance of taking time off to process experiences and information

52:12 Kate’s medical and science visualization tools and using Houdini for NASA and Hubble

59:26 Where to find Kate

Connect on:

📍 https://www.instagram.com/cgspectrum

📍 https://www.linkedin.com/cgspectrum

📍 http://www.facebook.com/CGSpectrum.Film.and.Game.School

📍 https://www.twitter.com/cgspectrum

Kate:

📍 https://www.artstation.com/katexagoraris

📍 https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-xagoraris-237970161/

📍 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbBVDltzL3eoADdraZGuuEg

📍 https://www.katexagoraris.com/

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