Exclusive Trusted Magazine Q&A with Roshni Kakad, VFX Producer
How would you describe your career path in a few words?
In a nutshell, I would summarise my career journey just as how I like to travel - ‘off the beaten path’. It started with an aspiration to become an Artist and an Animator, which eventually unfolded into a non-linear sequence of events and diverse opportunities.
Upon the completion of my Film Making and Animation studies, I anticipated a paved way into my future just like a perfectly laid path of cobblestones. I was fixated on the ideology that my career would be defined by the one thing I set my mind to. But it turns out, through little twists of fate along with an adaptable mindset can surprise you as to what (more) you’re capable of and how much you have to offer to the world.
As a risk taker at heart, my career moves were driven by leaps of faith (an action sometimes heavily misunderstood as borderline foolhardy). I interned as a creative at a leading advertising agency, worked as an Educator, took up freelance illustration and photography gigs and eventually kicked off my career in Animation & Visual Effects (VFX) production at a studio that was literally my ‘dream’ company, DreamWorks Animation. And later I transitioned to a studio called The Mill, one that I was eyeing on since university.
What was your most challenging experience and how has it changed your mindset?
My first job as a college lecturer. I was the youngest of the staff members. The challenge though, stemmed from my own self-limiting belief of whether I would be taken seriously when conducting a class that’s brimming with young blood. I recall several instances wherein, I’d walk into a classroom to deliver an orientation session for a freshmen batch and have confused cross-glances shooting at me from across the room.
Students can be a tough crowd! Surely, we’ve all been on the receiving end of lullaby lectures at some point in our lives. But I was intrigued by the idea of challenging myself to cultivate a synergy in teacher-student dynamics. While delivering quality lessons was my primary objective, I also wanted to leverage from my situation by redirecting focus on exploring effective teaching methodologies to enhance a classroom environment. I had to level with the students in a manner that could aid their interest retention capacity. One of my favourite quotes to tie to this approach is, “If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.”
The turning point for me was to watch the incredible output delivered by the students towards the end of each semester. What truly added to the fulfilment of this experience was receiving humble words of student feedback on my classes during my performance review. It made me realise, I did something right.
Based on your experience, what’s the key success factor for a female leader / manager?
Based on my personal experience, I’m grateful to have worked in companies that have championed diversity and women in leadership roles.
What I do believe though, can be instrumental to the growth of a female leader is the support and mindset of her team. Rather than feeling intimidated by her position of power, her peers should feel empowered by her tenacity. It’s exactly how I feel about any place I travel to. It’s the people who make the place special, and this certainly resonates for me in a professional environment as well.
I don’t think there is a silver bullet. Because even if you’re the most skilled person in the room, an equally strong code of ethics can contribute to the success of any organization or an individual, regardless of gender.
Here’s what I live by:
Be responsible
Not just for yourself but for each other. It’s not always about you.
Tone of voice
It’s not just about what you say but how effectively you say it.
Everything is important and everything is a priority
But know the difference between the two.
Connect
Don’t just work with people, connect.
Be kind
You never know who needs it most.
Say ‘Thank You’
It costs nothing.
Never say never
There’s always a solution for everything.
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