What does your company do?
We create cinematics, locations, and other virtual production content using Unreal Engine.
Ivan Baranov
Creative Director
SEVAfx
Questions and Answers
Describe your role in 1—2 simple sentences.
Unreal Engine virtual production combines real-time rendering, filmmaking, and technical artistry, making it a multidisciplinary field. My role is to ensure that people with these skills can successfully collaborate on a project.
What do you really do at work?
Test new technologies and workflows, develop UE tools, and guide the creative process.
What tools/apps do you use at work?
- Unreal Engine
- Embergen, for particle and fire simulation
- Marvelous Designer, for cloth simulation
What skills are necessary to do your job?
Hard:
- Unreal Engine proficiency
- Camera and cinematography
- Motion capture and animation
- Programming and scripting
Soft:
- Creative thinking
- Problem-solving
- Adaptability
Biggest eye-opening since you started this job.
Old-money pros don't want to hear any kind of advice from you.
Most challenging part of your job that people often don’t see from the outside.
Combining knowledge from fields that worked separately until a few years ago.
If someone wants to enter your field today, where should they start?
They shouldn’t. They should learn AI—it’s essential for both creative and other types of work.
What drives you at work?
Right now, AI—it lets me build in days what used to take months. That really excites me.
Biggest professional goal.
To work on major Hollywood productions and develop a useful set of virtual filmmaking tools.
What do you think is your unique talent?
I am not afraid to learn new things.
Lesson that feels the most valuable and hard-earned.
Always have a piece of paper to back up your words and agreements.
Moments at work made you feel proud or fulfilled.
Getting my first clients for custom products was a big milestone. And seeing my video work used in big-budget movies. I felt really proud.
Looking back 3—5 years, what do you regret doing or not doing?
I regret not parting ways with my former business partner sooner. We were pulling each other in the wrong direction, and it cost me focus.
Let’s talk about work ethic. What principles do you always stick to?
Do what you promise—no exceptions. And if you can’t, just be honest and say so.
What mindset or habits do you think enable some people to achieve more than others?
The habit of making phone calls and writing cold emails quickly and often.
How do you deal with the discomfort of doing something you’ve never done before?
If it needs to be done, I just do it. No second thoughts.
How important is networking in your career? Any tips?
10/10. Don't be afraid to reach anyone you want to talk to.
Do you believe in work-life balance? How does it work for you?
No, sometimes it's actually better to spend a weekend in the office—if you feel like it.
What’s something you value now that you didn’t before — and vice versa?
I value creativity and fast thinking more than ever; entry-level work matters less now—it’s easily replaced by AI. I focus on higher-level challenges.
If money is not an issue, what would you genuinely love to do in life?
The same work, but on a bigger scale.
Trend or development in your field that excites you now.
The expansion of Unreal Engine into every field it can reach.
Any advice to your 20-year-old self from your current perspective?
Study filmmaking instead of accounting.
Products (digital or not) that you really like.
Nike shoes, Apple iPhone, Unreal Engine, Blackmagic Cameras.
Favorite books, podcasts, movies, etc.
