Hi, I’m Da Li — Tatsu in Japanese — an FX TD working in VFX, specializing in Houdini-based effects for film and episodic projects.

I build robust, art-directable setups for destruction, fluids (FLIP), pyro, and particle-driven elements. While I care about physical believability, what excites me most is how an effect reads in a shot — its silhouette, timing, scale, and the way it supports composition and lighting. Even when the task is familiar, I look for a small but meaningful twist: a rhythm in the motion, a shape that catches the eye, or a detail in interaction that makes the moment feel unmistakably its own.

I enjoy the problem-solving side of FX as much as the artistic side — shaping simulations into something that feels natural, cinematic, and grounded in the plate. That balance is what I love most: building systems that are stable and predictable under pressure, then pushing them until the result feels effortless and intentional on screen.

My career has taken me across China, the UK, and Japan, working with international teams and different production cultures. That experience taught me how to stay calm under tight schedules, communicate clearly, and deliver dependable results — especially when a shot needs both precision and taste.

This site is where I share selected work, breakdowns, and personal practice — the experiments behind the shots, not just the final frames. If you’d like to collaborate or have an opportunity that fits, feel free to reach out.