Malaysia-born animator Kiki Poh feels right at home working in the creative environment of the animation company Pixar
SHE was one of two Malaysian animation and visual effects artists who had worked on Pixar Animation Studios’ latest offering, Cars 3.
An undeniably impressive feat indeed. When Kiki Poh flew down to Kuala Lumpur last week to promote the film, she received a welcome fit for a celebrity — it wasn’t something she had expected at all.
Her schedule included giving interviews to 20 different media publications, unveiling the life-sized replica of Cars 3’s main character Lightning McQueen to hundreds of people at Sunway Pyramid and conducting a workshop for aspiring animators.
As someone who worked behind the scenes, Poh, 40, found the sudden spotlight “overwhelming” but in a good way.
“I never expected this kind of reaction from the public,” gushed the Johor Baru-born with a grin during an interview with Groove.
“I’m just someone who wants to share her experience with everybody here, especially the younger generation.”
Poh, who was the first of four Malaysians to be recruited by Pixar, added that there was more excitement than pressure in “representing” Malaysia at the top animation studio, located in California.
“This is the first time I get to come home and share with my family and friends, as well as Malaysians, a movie that I worked on.
“I want to let them know that a Malaysian got to work on this major film and this opportunity to share my work means a lot,” she added.
Cars 3, the third instalment of the popular Cars franchise, sees Lightning McQueen realising that he’s not the hot shot anymore with the emergence of a younger generation of racers.
Hoping to get back into the game, he turns to Cruz Ramirez, an eager young technician who has her own plans for winning.
Poh’s role as a shading and grooming technical director involved working on the surface texture and colours of the characters.
She was a visual effects student at Savannah College of Art and Design in 2008 when Pixar recruiters came to scout for new talents.
“My teacher encouraged me to apply but I wasn’t confident. I gave it a try anyway and the people at Pixar loved my work.
“I started as an intern in 2010 and have since worked on Toy Story 3, Monsters University, Inside Out, Finding Dory and now Cars 3.”
Now based in California, Poh comes back to Malaysia once a year to visit her family.
Below, she shares more about her experience working with Pixar.
WHO INFLUENCED YOU THE MOST IN THE ANIMATION WORLD?
Hayao Miyazaki (a legend in Japanese animation). I love all the Studio Ghibli movies. Miyazaki’s movies use very simple and subtle elements, inspired by our daily lives or nature. Yet, they resonate well with a lot of audiences.
WHAT WAS THE CHALLENGING PART ABOUT WORKING ON CARS 3?
I was assigned as team leader to come up with all the characters in the Crazy 8 scene. The biggest challenge was to create 60 variants of cars with two other artists in a short space of time.
There was just so much to do so I had to find a way to work smart and efficiently. The trickiest part was that the 60 cars had to look different yet cohesive.
DO THE CHALLENGES INCREASE OVER TIME?
Pixar offers us plenty of opportunities based on our personal growth. I like to challenge myself so every time I’m assigned to a new project, I take the time to speak to my supervisors about my ideas.
WHAT’S THE GREATEST LESSON WORKING AT PIXAR HAS TAUGHT YOU?
As an artist, we were taught to present perfect work but sometimes, we have to learn to let go of some of the elements we won’t be able to do on time due to the short time given.
We also get criticism for our work. I learnt to understand their points and channel them into a positive outcome and strive to do better. I believe this is a habit that’s been taught to everyone at Pixar.
BESIDES TALENT, WHAT OTHER CRITERIA ARE VITAL TO WORK AT PIXAR?
Pixar is like home to me. We are a big family. Everyone at Pixar is talented but what makes it all so amazing is that everybody works as a team. So the ability to communicate with one another and work together is equally important.
WHICH IS YOUR FAVOURITE PIXAR FILM?
Monsters Inc. — it’s really great and super fun to watch. I love the relationship between the little girl Boo and the big monster Sully. It reminds me of my 10-month-old son. It taught me that when children grow up, they will have nothing to be afraid of.
WHICH PIXAR MOVIE ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF?
The first Pixar TV short, Toy Story Of Terror. I got to work on the shading of the main character, Combat Carl. The character was later nominated in the Visual Effects Society Awards under The Best Animated Character on TV/Broadcast category. It was a great honour!
WHAT’S THE PIXAR OFFICE LIKE?
Our building offers a very good working environment. An animator gets to build his own working space - literally anything he wants- but his ideas must get approval first.
You get to bring your own decorations so it’s a really fun thing to see as they reflect the animator’s personality. So we get animators who set up a living room while another even built a bar. Pixar allows us to make ourselves at home and be comfortable.
WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE TO ARTISTS?
Never be afraid to try something you’ve never done before. At the same time, understand that you will face all kind of challenges in your journey. Always be passionate in what you do. Don’t let anyone tell you what you can’t do.
Cars 3 is currently showing in cinemas. The Lightning McQueen replica will be on display at the Blue Concourse of Sunway Pyramid till Sept 3.