From Avengers: Infinity War and Obi-Wan Kenobi to recent Apple TV+ hit Severance, Christopher Lee has helped bring some of the entertainment world’s most popular films and television shows to life. As a production manager based at Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) Sydney, Christopher serves as a crucial link between visionary directors, producers, creative teams, and technical teams. Though Christopher is carving a successful career for himself in film production now, he initially got his start in software development and game design.
The 2015 BS in Computer Science and Game Design graduate began his career at Ubisoft Singapore as a game design assistant on Ghost Recon Online (now Ghost Recon Phantom). While designing the Xbox controller interface, Christopher discovered that his true passion was elsewhere — in project management, communication, and connecting people. “With the support of my design manager, I transitioned to the consumer markets and playtest coordination team, laying the foundation for my project management journey,” Christopher says.
After spending nearly one-and-a-half years at Ubisoft Singapore, an opportunity arose at ILM Singapore, and Christopher joined the company as an entry-level production assistant. “My journey at ILM Singapore began as a VFX production assistant, which is essentially the foundation of any VFX production,” Christopher explains. “In this role, I was the go-to person for helping producers and production managers keep the team organized and efficient. Think of it as the hub of the production wheel.” In this fast-paced environment, Christopher quickly learned to handle everything from calendar and data management to client support and assisting in artistic work.
Over the next eight years, Christopher honed his project management skills while successfully delivering 18 projects. His responsibilities expanded to include collaborating with clients and global teams across various time zones, sometimes coordinating teams of up to 40 people. During this period, Christopher also steadily rose through the ranks at ILM Singapore, advancing from VFX production assistant to VFX production manager, and eventually to associate VFX producer. His final project in this role was Severance Season 2, before ILM Singapore ceased operations in late 2023.
Following that chapter, Christopher returned to the AAA game industry. He rejoined Ubisoft Singapore as a senior project manager, contributing to the launch of Skull & Bones. While there, Christopher led the art team and expanded his knowledge in game monetization while collaborating with international teams in Shanghai, Da Nang, and beyond.
Reflecting on his experiences in both the game and film industries, Christopher says: “Working on a live game at Ubisoft Singapore is like running a marathon with numerous sprints, due to the constant need for updates to keep players engaged. In contrast, working on film projects is like a series of sprints, as we adhere to strict, immovable deadlines.”
After a year at Ubisoft Singapore, life took another exciting turn when Christopher’s wife received an opportunity to pursue her master’s degree in Sydney, Australia. Simultaneously, Christopher was also presented with the opportunity to continue his production career at ILM Sydney. With careful planning and support from family and friends, they relocated to Sydney earlier this year, and Christopher rejoined the ILM family.
In his current position, Christopher drives projects forward by fostering strong collaboration and ensuring seamless execution. He works closely with department supervisors to develop detailed project schedules and guides production teams through each stage of the process. Communication remains key as he serves as the central point of contact between teams and partner studios.
When asked about memorable projects throughout his career, Christopher is quick to mention Ultraman: Rising. It was Christopher’s first animation project, which presented its own set of challenges and a steep learning curve. That experience also gave him the privilege of working closely with directors Shannon Tindle and John Aoshima, an opportunity for which he remains grateful.
Christopher credits his DigiPen (Singapore) education with instilling in him the resilience to face challenges and the courage to learn from failures. “Technically, it equipped me with the logical thinking and problem-solving skills derived from programming, which I apply daily in scheduling and planning,” he reflects.
For those aspiring to follow a similar path, Christopher emphasizes that effective people management is paramount for success in project management and production. “A production manager or producer’s success is directly tied to the team they lead,” he says. “I firmly believe that when team members are engaged and enjoy their work, they can achieve exceptional results, even under challenging circumstances.”