GanzChroma 0282
In Singapore teaching is a profession held in high regard. Teachers are deeply respected as guardians of knowledge, shaping the minds of future generations.
But when I moved to Canada however, I noticed a starkly different attitude toward teaching. Here, it's often seen as a "Plan B"- an option you take when your primary career path doesn't work out. There's this perception that teaching is somehow less prestigious than being directly "in the industry.
This difference in perception reflects a broader cultural divide. In the West, teachers often don’t get the respect they deserve. They're seen as stepping stones, necessary but not noteworthy, helping others climb to where they want to be.
I've seen students treat their teachers with impatience or disregard, as if they are just mere obstacles to get past rather than mentors who are there to guide them. It’s disheartening to see this lack of respect, especially when you know just how challenging teaching really is.
Teaching is far more demanding profession than most artist realize. It’s not just about mastering your craft; it's about developing an entirely unique set of skills to communicate that craft effectively.
You need to adapt to different learning styles, manage a classroom of diverse personalities, and constantly find ways to inspire and motivate students. It's a dynamic, complex job that requires just as much, if not more, effort and dedication than many roles in the VFX industry.
I left Singapore in 2010 because I felt that no one back home could teach me how to make images like those in Avatar. I knew that staying would mean falling further behind.
Many of you know the rest of my journey, but what you might not know is how it came full circle. In December 2022, I watched Avatar 2 with my students and their fellow FXTDs, and I was pleasantly surprised to see the names of some of my former students in the credits.
It was a surreal moment. Although I didn’t work on the movies and TV shows myself, as I have been dedicated to teaching the entire time I've been in Canada, that same dedication has helped hundreds of my students achieve exactly that.
I realized that I had become the person to others what I wanted for myself - a mentor who could guide them to their dreams.
At Alpha Chromatica, we don’t see teaching as a fallback or a secondary career choice. We see it as a calling, an opportunity to impart our passion and expertise to those ready to learn.
We pour our energy and experience daily because we know that’s what it takes to make a real difference. Teaching isn't just about passing on skills; it’s about elevating our art form, and that’s something we take very seriously.
P.S. What are your thoughts on the perception of teaching in the creative industries? Do you think it's undervalued?