INDUSTRY DETAILS

Ian Buchko, Digital Explorer—

Visual Effects Supervisor

Ian, affectionately referred to as “Booch”, or even more affectionately referred to as “Ian”, is a visual maestro who specializes in all things motion graphics and visual effects. From Medicine Hat, Alberta, Ian received education in Visual Communication and 3D Animation at Medicine Hat College and Sheridan College, respectively, before being recruited by video-game giant EA Sports by virtue of his talent as a visual artist.

After his contract with EA Sports, Ian dove into the Vancouver film industry, working on visuals for the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, as well as television shows and movies including Sanctuary, District 9, Zombieland, and, The Crazies. Ian began working on projects with Barbershop in 2010, and joined full-time in 2014. As VFX Supervisor, with his vast scope of experience, Ian ensures every visual element – from logos, animations, and text, to creating virtual effects or removing unwanted details – comes out highly polished and consistent with a brand’s preexisting style and aesthetics. Extremely motivated, punctual, and precise in his work, Ian is always cool-headed under pressure and obsessed with ensuring all the visual elements are tuned exactly to each client’s vision.

An adventurer at heart, when not in the Barbershop, Ian can be found pushing his kids on bikes down a mountain, hurling himself off a snowy mountaintop, or flying kites near powerplants.

Website: ianbuchko.com
Instagram: @ianbuchko

Fun Facts

What is a bucket list item for you?

I want to road Trip America with my family and, on the personal side, spend a month in South America and go skiing down there in August.

What’s the best concert you’ve ever been to and why?

Nick Cave – Because he is rad and loves performing.

Who is someone you admire, and why?

My wife Alex and our Daughter Wyleigh. Because the chaos of having a kid keeps things interesting! I’d also say Jeremy, As he works harder than any of us to help build a unified dream that we can all share. He is the king of work hard, play hard!

Do you have any skills or talents that most people don’t know about?

Probably my photography. I’m generally vocal about the sports I do, but I’ve been pushing my photography in the background for the past 20 years. I was recently published in my first book, and I’ve been selected for a few larger group gallery shows (Detroit and Vancouver). ianbuchko.com

Flashback to when you were 10 years old. What do you want to be when you grow up?

I think I just wanted to buy a snowmobile and move to the mountains. Still working on the snowmobile part. But my midlife crisis is shortly approaching.

If you were a superhero, what would your superpower be?

Probably just to have the superpower of making the perfect eggs every morning.

What’s the best advice you were ever given? Who was it from?

Leave a day early and stay a day late.

If you could only eat one dish for every meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Chicken Shawarma.

What’s your least favourite smell?

Vinegar.

How fast can you run?

Slightly faster than my 5-year-old daughter.

Have you ever waved at someone, only to realize they were waving at someone behind you? How did this make you feel?

Like I needed to use my fingers as a comb for my hair.