From NMIT to the big screen
From the classroom to short films to seamlessly blending stunning visuals as a compositor at 808 Studio Ltd, NMIT Bachelor of Computer Generated Imagery (CGI) graduate Jaxon Wallace has transformed his lifelong passion into a career in the film industry. Jaxon wasn’t just fascinated by watching films from a young age, but loved to explore the deep dives provided by behind-the-scenes featurettes.
“As a kid, I’d watch films on DVD like Pirates of the Caribbean; I would look forward to delving into the behind-the-scenes videos”, shares Jaxon.
The Bachelor of CGI allowed Jaxon to follow his passion for visual effects and film closer to home. With his family all located in Nelson, the programme meant that he was able to stay at home, save money, and work towards his future goals in a familiar environment. Jaxon now lives in Wellington and works for 808 Studio Ltd, one of New Zealand’s newest VFX studios, which works with both local and international clients. Since joining the company in 2023, Jaxon has worked his way from junior compositor to compositor - a critical role in the film industry.
“As a compositor at 808 Ltd, I am tasked with achieving the director’s vision. That could mean anything from green screen replacements to augmenting an actor's performance. Compositing is a large beast, and no job is the same. It is the bread and butter of VFX”, Jaxon explains.
Jaxon’s time at NMIT helped him prepare for the realities of the film industry and his role at 808. Working in a fast-paced industry, the project work Jaxon completed at NMIT enabled him to understand the constraints he’d work within and the capabilities he’d need to succeed.
“One of the main challenges I faced as a student was sticking to time constraints; most of the time, I didn’t know what was too ambitious for the given time. This has helped with my professional working life as deadlines are always super tight”, says Jaxon.
To date, Jaxon has worked on seven different projects, all ranging in scale from television series to feature films. Though he cannot publicly share all his projects, one example of his work can be seen in the latest film by director Ti West, MAXXXINE, which was released globally in 2024 and is now available for streaming on Netflix. His current work includes an upcoming streaming spin-off of STARZ television series Spartacus, called Spartacus: House of Ashur. His passion for the VFX industry looks to carry him forward to new locations in the future.
“In the near future I am looking abroad to Sydney for work. I am hoping to work at companies such as ILM or similar in the role of a compositor”, Jaxon shares.
For NMIT’s current Bachelor of CGI students, Jaxon has some advice to ensure they succeed. Jaxon worked on the locally produced film,Northspur, as a project outside of class. He credits this work as inspiring him and giving him the real-world experience required to ensure that he was work-ready.
“I highly recommend that any students aspiring to be a part of the film industry get involved with VGX short films outside of class”, Jaxon explains. “Doing more than just the basics to pass assignments really shows to potential employers your passion and drive”.
Learn more about Computer Generated Imagery.
