‘Ad agencies good platform for creative people’

Sumair Rizvi is the lighting/VFX director of the popular Commander Safeguard series. “I’m crazy about lighting, compositing and VFX,” Rizvi said in an interview. He’s currently the creative production head at Cult Productions. He previously worked for Post Amazers.
Rizvi grew up watching his dad “who is very good at sketching and using software. I worked with software, watched cartoons, read comics, etc, and tried to draw. Later on, I was guided by my uncle Omer Qureshi who is a VFX director.” So, he started his career as a trainee at a production house.
He started working at the age of 16, and “I think if you are an exceptionally good artist as well as young, it’s a benefit, and people can always recognise quality and talent.” He discovered his talent during his teens. “Keeping myself focused on what I’m creating helps me continue doing my work.”
He loves to work with 3D characters and in sci-fi environments. Talking about his work process, he said, “The most important aspects of the stages are so important because they are the pillars: good production design, modelling, animation, lighting and compositing are the keys to getting good results.”
Raphael Lacoste is his favourite artist. “I like the way he thinks. I mean his concepts. The things I like about his work are the composition, colours and feel. I’m a big fan.” He said his keys to success are hard work, dedication, passion and waiting for the right time.
Talking about the job market for art professionals, he said, “An ad agency is a good platform for an artist to use his creative ideas because ad agencies are associated with the local market and they have all types of work that require creative people.” He said freelancing is not a good long-term option.
He believes people with artistic talent should go to art school for their betterment because “you will receive proper knowledge and information regarding what you’re doing.” He said Pakistani institutions could impart proper training to students. “They guide the students in the right direction.”
To aspiring artists, Rizvi said, “Always look forward to doing your work and do it with honesty and interest. Inspiration is very important. Set your target, the goals for your life to achieve. And improve yourself as much as you can.”