Day: September 16, 2021

Visual effects artist Besi Zeka has always been fascinated with film and 3D animation since he was a young boy from the war-stricken state of Kosovo, where he lived with his family. Little did he know that his fascination would eventually open phenomenal doors for him, from finishing from The Los Angeles Film School in 2012 to working for 20 films and establishing his own online school to train clients to become professional visual effects artists like himself. As he reveals his journey to success, it is clear that he did not employ any special formula except for practices that are common to most people: hard work, the right attitude, and persistence.

Besi Zeka has been part of some of the most impressive films in Hollywood, from being rigging artist for Transformers: Age of Extinction to visual effects artist for UFO by J.J. Abrams, Four Good Days, Royalties, The L Word, Night Shifters, and Alone, to mention a few. He has always worked with the biggest names in the business world, including Apple, Nike, One Republic Band, and Infiniti, among others. 

Before Hollywood, he and a friend opened a web and graphic design studio. The business was going well, but he wasn’t happy with it. One day, he decided to close the studio because he really wanted to realize his dream of studying in Hollywood. He thanks his family and especially gives a big thanks to his father, who supported and sponsored the whole of his schooling. His father died 5 months ago and was one of the first engineers in Kosovo. 

After making it in Hollywood, he returned to his home country and established MAYDAY Academy to teach 3D and visual effects. He also opened another company called Visionaryfire.com, alongside his business partner Lendon Bracewell. Together, they have worked with Microsoft, Quibi, and Wellness. They are also part of the upcoming Marvel project, Hawkeye. 

“The beginning was difficult, and we worked for a year without any profit compiling and testing this method on the market every day until it started to be very successful, and then we started launching it on the market,” Besi Zeka revealed. “We started to reach out to other big companies to give us the projects and believe in us. Honestly, I am not going to lie. It was hard. But with many outreaches and hard-working days and nights, at the end of the day, the doors opened. Always the beginning is hard because it takes time until you find the right path and the right connection, but I am going to tell you to never stop grinding.” 

The idea of creating MAYDAY Academy was inspired by Besi Zeka’s deep desire to open new doors for many young visual effects artists around the world today. He wants to show them a path that will recognize their artistry, regardless of their background or status in life. Just like that young man from Kosovo who dreamed big and never gave up, he hopes to impart the same fighting spirit to this generation of artists and for them to fully grasp that they, too, have the potential to be great. 

Besi Zeka has big plans for MAYDAY Academy in the next few years, including working hard to eventually turning it into a full-blown university that will cater to the needs of aspiring and gifted visual effects artists. His ultimate dream as a mentor is to see his students fulfill their dreams and get recognized for their works in the visual effects industry. For him, seeing them succeed would be his greatest legacy in this generation and beyond. 

As he continues to share his journey from Kosovo to Hollywood, Besi Zeka hopes to serve as an inspiration to others who wish to pursue a career as a visual effects artist. While his journey was not a walk in the park, there was one contributing factor that eventually led to his success—always working hard. With the help of MAYDAY Academy, he hopes to boost the self-confidence of young artists out there who wish to make a name for themselves in an industry that rewards those whose talents work closely with their diligence and self-sacrifice. 

Find out more about Besi Zeka by visiting his website. Follow him on Instagram and Facebook for updates on his latest projects.