We were lucky to catch up with Sergio Rincón recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Sergio, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?
I believe my resilience comes from a combination of my upbringing, my desire to grow, and the challenges I’ve faced along the way. Growing up in Bucaramanga, where opportunities in the film and TV industry were scarce, I quickly learned that if I wanted to pursue my passion, I had to be resourceful and proactive. This mindset pushed me to seek out any available learning opportunities, even if they weren’t directly related to my field.
Resilience also comes from experience—learning to adapt and persist through difficult situations. Moving to Bogotá to advance my career, applying for scholarships despite initial setbacks, and eventually relocating to San Francisco with my wife all required me to step outside my comfort zone. Each challenge reinforced my ability to navigate uncertainty and stay focused on my goals, even when the odds were against me.
Finally, I get my resilience from the people around me—my wife, who has always been my biggest supporter, and my family, who taught me the value of hard work and perseverance. Their belief in me has given me the strength to keep pushing forward, even when things get tough.
Resilience, to me, is about adapting, learning, and moving forward despite obstacles. Every challenge has shaped me into the person I am today, and I carry those lessons with me as I continue to grow in my career and personal life.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
For those who may not know me, my name is Sergio Rincón, and I specialize in animation and visual effects. My journey started in Bucaramanga, Colombia, where I developed a passion for digital art and storytelling. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working on major advertising campaigns and Hollywood productions, contributing to projects for brands like Coca-Cola and Samsung, as well as films and series such as Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, and Oppenheimer.
What excites me most about my work is the ability to blend creativity with technology, bringing stories to life through visual effects, animation, and motion design. Whether it’s crafting cinematic title sequences, designing futuristic user interfaces, or enhancing a scene with VFX, I love pushing the boundaries of what’s possible on screen.
Beyond my professional projects, I’m deeply invested in the film and animation community. I’m a proud member of the Visual Effects Society (VES), the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, and the Colombian Academy of Cinematographic Arts and Sciences. I also enjoy sharing my journey with aspiring artists, showing them that with dedication and persistence, they too can achieve their dreams—no matter where they come from.
As I continue to grow in my career, I’m exploring new opportunities in FX simulations and procedural animation, always looking for ways to innovate and contribute to the industry. I’m excited about what’s ahead and eager to collaborate on projects that push creative and technical boundaries.
If you’d like to connect or learn more about my work, feel free to reach out!
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Looking back at my journey, the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that have been most impactful are resilience, technical proficiency, and adaptability.
Resilience has been key. Whether dealing with the challenges of moving to a new country, adapting to different cultures and languages, or facing setbacks in my career, resilience has kept me focused on my goals and helped me overcome obstacles. My advice to those just starting is to embrace challenges as learning opportunities. It’s important to understand that setbacks don’t define you—they shape you. Keep pushing forward, and stay focused on your long-term goals.
Technical proficiency in animation, VFX, and motion design has been essential in securing opportunities and advancing in my career. Early on, I made sure to build a solid foundation of technical skills, from 3D animation to compositing and VFX compositing. For those starting out, my advice is to constantly hone your craft and stay curious. Technology and software are always evolving, so never stop learning and experimenting. The more skills you can master, the more doors will open.
Lastly, adaptability has been crucial, especially in an industry that’s constantly changing. Moving between different countries, working with diverse teams, and adapting to various project styles have all helped me grow both as an artist and a professional. I encourage newcomers to be open to change and embrace different perspectives. The ability to adapt to new challenges and environments will set you apart and help you stay relevant in a fast-moving industry.
To summarize, resilience, technical skills, and adaptability have been the pillars of my journey. For those starting out, I’d advise focusing on these areas to build a strong foundation for long-term success.
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?
When I feel overwhelmed, I’ve learned that the best approach is to take a step back and focus on grounding myself. The first thing I do is pause and breathe—sometimes just a few deep breaths help me reset and gain clarity. I also break things down into smaller, manageable tasks. Instead of looking at everything at once, I prioritize and tackle one thing at a time. This helps me focus on what’s immediately important, and it makes the larger task feel more achievable.
Another strategy that’s helped me is setting clear boundaries—whether it’s knowing when to ask for help or when to take a break. In high-pressure environments, I remind myself that it’s okay to ask for support from colleagues, friends, or family. This can alleviate some of the stress and bring a fresh perspective to the situation.
Lastly, staying organized is key. I use to-do lists and calendars to track my progress and make sure I’m staying on top of deadlines. Having a visual representation of what needs to be done helps me feel more in control and less overwhelmed.
My advice for those who feel overwhelmed is to first focus on staying calm, then break tasks down into smaller chunks. Don’t be afraid to reach out for help, and remember that it’s important to take breaks when needed. Being proactive in managing stress helps maintain productivity without burning out.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sergiorincon.net/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sergiorincon_vfx/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sergiorinconvfx/
- Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm12012475/
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