My Experience at Lightbox Expo 2024: Insights, Inspiration, and New Connections
Last weekend, I had the incredible opportunity to attend Lightbox Expo 2024 in Pasadena, California, an event dedicated to the fields of animation , gaming, art and entertainment. Having my dad along for the journey made it even more special, and being surrounded by such talented and passionate creators was inspiring. I had the chance to learn from top professionals and connect with individuals who are shaping the future of these industries.
While the Expo was an amazing experience, it did come with some logistical challenges. The setup required attendees to wait in line twice for each panel—once to get a ticket and again to enter—which made it difficult to attend multiple sessions in a single day. I hope future expos can streamline this process, allowing attendees to get even more out of the event. That said, the panels I attended were well worth the wait, and my interactions with industry professionals made the experience unforgettable.
Day 1
Panel 1: Unreal Engine for Artists Demo with Jama Jurabaev
My first panel was an Unreal Engine demo by Jama Jurabaev, which immediately caught my attention since Unreal is the software I’m currently learning. Jama’s expertise in using Unreal Engine for concept art of larger environments. He offered practical tips that I’m excited to apply in my own projects. Here are a few highlights from his session:
Optimizing Unreal for Concept Art: Jama emphasized that Unreal is perfect for creating large, complex environments. For concept art, he recommended using Lumen for early-stage lighting and Path Tracing for high-quality final renders.
Creative Control with Levels: In Unreal, levels can be used similarly to Photoshop layers, making it easy to turn various elements on and off for quick adjustments. This feature is particularly useful for creative flexibility and making rapid decisions.
Lighting/Camera Techniques: Jama shared that to create a softer, more diffuse lighting effect, you can increase the size of the sun. He also advised setting up different camera angles early in the process to frame scenes effectively.
Using Quixel Bridge and Asset Modifications: For smaller details, Jama recommended Quixel Bridge to access a library of pre-made assets and using Unreal’s modeling tools to adjust or mirror assets as needed. This approach can speed up the workflow while keeping the focus on high-priority details.
These insights have already given me fresh ideas on how to approach larger environments and concept art using Unreal, and I’m looking forward to applying these techniques as I continue learning.
Panel 2: Environment Design for Animated Film with Charles Lee
The second panel of Day 1 was led by Charles Lee, known for his concept work on Arcane Season 1. This session was an inspiring deep dive into the design of animated environments and the layers of deliberate decisions that go into each detail. Charles shared a wealth of insights on the visual storytelling elements in Arcane, and here are a few standout moments from the panel:
Visual Inspiration for Arcane: Charles explained that he drew from Baroque French architecture when designing the indoor environments of Caitlyn’s house in Piltover, an academic and diamond-themed aesthetic to represent the city’s sophistication. He also referenced Metropolis (a Japanese animation) and classic 80s/90s anime as inspiration for Arcane’s unique visual style. I thought this was all very cool since I myself used Baroque inspiration for the designs I made for my final short animation project in school.
Zaun’s Gothic Aesthetic: The industrial, darker tone of Zaun is influenced by Gothic architecture, a style that adds depth to the city’s narrative as an underworld. Charles emphasized that using foreground elements in a scene can help guide the viewer’s attention to focal points, enhancing the storytelling experience.
The Importance of Material Sheets: For consistent and effective room designs, Charles recommended creating material sheets for the interiors to keep the colors and textures aligned with the mood and narrative of each space.
Networking with Dreamworks, Netflix animations and Skydance
Following the panels, I had the opportunity to connect with recruiters from Dreamworks and Skydance. These conversations gave me an inside look at the types of roles they are actively seeking and the skills they value in emerging artists. From discussing technical expertise to soft skills like collaboration and communication, these discussions provided me with a better understanding of how I can shape my skills to align with industry needs.
Day 2
Panel 1: Dreamworks Recruiting + Early Careers
On Day 2, I attended the Dreamworks panel on recruiting and early careers, which offered a unique perspective on how to build a successful and sustainable career in the animation industry. Here are some of the valuable lessons shared during this panel:
Stay Open to Different Paths: The Dreamworks team emphasized that sometimes the best opportunities come from roles or paths you didn’t initially expect. Hard work and dedication in any position can lead to unexpected growth and new opportunities.
Every Interaction Counts: A reminder that every interaction is both a networking moment and a chance to make a genuine connection, so it’s important to approach people with openness and respect.
Share Your Goals: I was encouraged to be open about my aspirations because you never know when sharing your goals might lead to an opportunity. A willingness to take on new roles with curiosity can make a big difference.
Handling Rejection with Maturity: The recruiters emphasized that rejection is a part of the process and encouraged us to view it as a stepping stone out of our comfort zones, not as a setback. They stressed the importance of staying mature, focused, and open to future possibilities, even after a rejection.
Personal Projects and Growth: Dreamworks values artists who are always working on personal projects. These projects show initiative, provide additional experience, and keep you actively growing.
These takeaways were insightful and aligned with the values I hold as an artist. They reinforced the importance of staying flexible, working hard, and building meaningful connections, no matter where you are in your career.
Disney Table and Networking
Following the Dreamworks panel, I spent the rest of Day 2 connecting with recruiters and professionals at the Disney table, including representatives from Disney Imagineering, Marvel Animation, Pixar, and Lucasfilm/ILM. This was a unique chance to network and hear directly from some of the companies to gain insight into their values, expectations, and the skills they’re looking for in new artists.
Day 3
Panel 1: Navigating Your Career: Internships and Apprenticeships with Disney
Day 3 kicked off with a panel by Disney focused on their internships and apprenticeships programs. The panelists shared their experiences and advice for developing an impactful career, with several takeaways:
Cultivating Relationships with Mentors: The panelists highlighted the importance of mentorship. They advised us to engage with mentors by asking questions and gaining knowledge from everyone around us.
Craft Excellence: At Disney, craft excellence means a commitment to quality and believability, and it’s achieved through a constant desire to improve and refine one’s skills.
Staying True to Your Story: When applying, Disney values authenticity and encourages artists to show their unique voice and story.
Tips for Building Connections: They advised us to treat connections with respect, seeing others as friends rather than as stepping stones.
For those working on projects, Disney recommends showing early progress and capturing the spirit of animation in the work. They suggested that storyboarding artists try their hand at multiple genres—comedy, action, drama—to showcase versatility.
Panel 2: Environment and Light with John Burton
Next, I attended a panel by John Burton on environment and light, focusing on painting techniques in Photoshop. He emphasized that sometimes, limiting oneself can help bring focus and creativity. Here were some of his key pointers:
Color Techniques: Avoiding pure black and white helps keep a painting lively and vibrant.
Painting Principles: Starting with large shapes and working toward detail, he discussed the importance of thinking about edge, shape, temperature, and value throughout the painting process.
Aim for Artistic Poetry: He encouraged a looser, more poetic approach rather than aiming to create a photographic replica.
These techniques offered me a new perspective on how to approach my 3D compositions with creativity and intention.
Panel 3: Creature Design and Characters for Film with Constantine Sekeris
The final panel of Day 3 was a deep dive into creature and character design led by Constantine Sekeris, a renowned artist known for his work on iconic creatures and characters in House of the Dragon, Avatar, Wonder Woman, Guardians of the Galaxy, and more.
Iterate Quickly: Constantine emphasized the importance of getting ideas down quickly, cataloging different silhouettes, and not being afraid to make mistakes.
Efficient Workflow: With tight timelines in TV (less so for film), a streamlined workflow is essential. His process includes using ZBrush, Keyshot, and Photoshop to bring concepts to life in under two hours for rough models.
Beyond the technical aspects, he emphasized that success in creature design is all about the grind: pushing through challenges, consistently producing work, and always striving to improve. This was a motivating reminder that dedication and a relentless drive are just as important as technical skills in reaching one’s goals in the industry.
Final Thoughts on Lightbox Expo 2024
Attending Lightbox Expo 2024 was a great experience, filled with lots of inspiration, learning, and new connections that I’ll carry with me as I continue my journey as an environment artist. The panels gave me a deeper understanding of technical skills, creative storytelling, and industry expectations, while my one-on-one conversations with recruiters, professionals and even fellow artists I met in lines or sitting next to me panels, opened doors to potential collaborations and growth. The opportunity to be surrounded by such passionate and talented creators made it all worthwhile. I’m grateful for the knowledge I gained and excited to integrate these insights into my own projects.
