We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Sanat Charankar. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Sanat below.
Sanat, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?
Throughout history, great artists have always been resilient, often going against the grain and doing something different. Obstacles are present on any path, but if you are carving your own, be prepared for plenty of them!
My pursuit of artistic passion has been a roller coaster, leading me to unique individuals and unconventional places. Fortunately, I had the right guidance and tremendous support from my parents. However, a dark cloud loomed over how exactly I would apply these skills. I initially enrolled in a design coaching program, which inspired me to pursue an undergraduate degree in creative arts. There, the blend of art and technology captivated me. My desire to study emerging technologies and discover extraordinary expressions through them took me to the Savannah College of Art & Design.
My constant passion for discovery and refining my practice, coupled with exceptional guidance from teachers, mentors, professors, peers, and colleagues, has been the key to slowly and incrementally building my resilience and confidence.
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?
Since childhood, I used to arrange my toys until they looked ‘right’ in their positioning. Slowly, I began to realize that the placement of the toys affected their appearance, making them gain or lose character and personality. This revelation taught me that once you change the way you see things, the things you see start to change. I wanted everything around me in its best placement, but in a constantly active world, I couldn’t maintain it. So, I aimed to capture those moments where the protagonist object stood in its grandiosity. With an urge to share this newfound perception, I began arming myself with various artistic mediums.
The journey of pursuing and refining my artistic passion has been a roller coaster, leading me to unique individuals and unconventional places. Today, I work for various companies in the realms of commercials, films, and games as a Visual Effects Artist. I specialize in creating visual effects and impactful imagery using computer-generated technologies.
After graduating from the Savannah College of Art & Design, I was enthusiastic about contributing to visual effects in films. To my surprise and joy, my very first project was Marvel’s “Werewolf by Night,” where I highlighted Man-Thing’s ground-breaking power, bursting through sections of concrete walls. Contributing to a Marvel film was thrilling, and my excitement grew further when I worked on “A Man Named Otto” with Sony Pictures. During this time, I developed an interest in the versatility and fast-paced production required in commercials and advertising. I was delighted to contribute to high-level brands such as Toyota and FOX Sports. Following this trajectory, I joined The Mill, working for clients like Michelob Ultra, Budweiser, Pepsi, Lays, and many more.
Creating these visuals requires a unique blend of artistry, logic, and math, all honed by keen observation of the greatest artist, Mother Nature. This journey has been fascinating, making me feel like a blend of a scientist and an artist. I am excited to see where this path will lead me next.
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, several qualities have been instrumental and impactful in my journey:
Commitment: This may be a no-brainer, but it is the underlying force behind any success. Commitment develops once you decide the direction you want to propel in and identify methods of incremental improvement with appropriate feedback. It can be further enhanced by segregating the most crucial areas of impact and working on them. For instance, my skills would have remained hobbies if I had not consistently worked on them and focused on the particular skills required for being a Visual Effects Artist.
Doing Extra: This is a natural result of passion. For instance, I volunteered at many forums while figuring out my niche. This allowed me to not only understand where my interests lie but also gain a broader perspective and noticing the interconnectivity between things.
An Attitude of Constant Iteration: There is a quote attributed to Leonardo Da Vinci: “Art is never finished, only abandoned.” There will always be tweaks to improve work further or a desire to recreate it in an even better way. This attitude should not only be applied to art; it ensures perpetual upskilling and being open to pivoting toward new horizons.
Alongside these qualities, it is also important to take rejuvenating breaks by diving into your curiosities and being in nature.
Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?
I’ve been deeply impacted by books from various genres, but the ones I fondly remember and highly recommend are:
Tell Me Why by Arkady Leokum
What If? by Randall Munroe
These books attempt to scientifically answer the most absurd hypothetical questions and amusingly serve as guides for parents who want to address their child’s endless inquiries. They showcase interesting use cases of how to ask questions by mixing unrelated contexts and answering them with realistic and pragmatic considerations.
I came across these books when I was a child, and they were crucial in developing and shaping my curiosity. By using hypothetical questions and scientific explanations, they provided the perfect ingredients for nurturing my inquisitive nature.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sanatcharankar.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sanat_charankar/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sanat-charankar/
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