Zhehao Qiao is the Lead Rigger at Ingenuity Studios, specializing in character, creature, and facial rigging for film and television. He has contributed to high-profile productions including Black Mirror, One Piece, The Pitt, and Weapons, supporting performance-driven visual effects and storytelling. Zhehao bridges art and engineering through advanced technical workflows while collaborating closely with animators, modelers, and VFX supervisors. He is passionate about building efficient pipelines, expressive rigs, and mentoring the next generation of artists.

How many years have you been a judge?

This is my first year!

What excited you about judging for the Telly Awards?

Coming from a VFX and rigging background, I’m really excited to see creative work across a wide range of formats beyond my day-to-day production focus. It’s inspiring to experience different approaches to storytelling, design, and performance, especially outside my usual comfort zone. Judging for the Telly Awards also gives me the chance to offer practical, professional feedback around visual effects, animation, and creature work. Most of all, I’m looking forward to connecting with the broader creative community and learning from great artists.

What was your first job in the industry? What did it teach you?

My first job in the industry was working as a rigger at Psyop. It taught me how much details truly matter, especially through shot-sculpting work where I adjusted 3D geometry frame by frame to support animation. At the time, it could feel like obsessing over something as small as a single frame or a fraction of a second wouldn’t make a difference. But seeing the final shot fully polished showed me how that level of intention and precision is exactly what makes animation feel fluid, believable, and appealing.

What project are you most proud to have worked on?

One project I’m especially proud of is the extruding eye effects work on Weapons. The effect played an important role in the storytelling and required a technically complex rigging and facial setup to make it feel believable on screen. It was a highly collaborative effort with animation, modeling, and VFX teams, and seeing everything come together successfully was incredibly rewarding. The positive audience response made all the technical and creative challenges feel worth it.

What’s the most challenging part about your job and/or the industry?

One of the most challenging parts of my job is finding the right balance between efficiency and quality. Production schedules are always tight, but the work still needs to meet a very high creative and technical standard. Knowing when to streamline workflows and when to slow down and focus on key details is a constant challenge — and one that directly affects the final quality of the work.

What do you look for to determine excellence in video?

For me, excellence in video starts with creativity and intention. A great video always has at least one element that truly stands out and stays with you — whether it’s the story, the color and visual language, a performance, or a specific moment that feels especially thoughtful. It’s the kind of work that makes you remember it later and say, “I’ve seen that — and that part was amazing.”

What are your current roles and responsibilities and what do you love most about your job?

I currently work as the Lead Rigger, where I oversee character, creature, and facial rigging across multiple film and television projects while also developing tools and pipelines to support production. My role involves close collaboration with animators, modelers, and VFX supervisors to make sure rigs are both technically solid and expressive for performance. What I love most about my job is the balance between problem-solving and creativity — turning complex technical challenges into something that helps artists tell better stories. It’s especially rewarding to see my work directly contribute to performances that resonate on screen.

Do you have any specific practices you lean on to spark creativity?

I don’t have anything too formal — honestly, stepping away from the screen helps the most. Taking a shower, going for a walk, or even playing with a Rubik’s Cube gives my brain space to reset. Looking away from the problem often leads to clearer ideas and better solutions when I come back to it.

What inspired you to pursue your career path?

Zootopia was a huge inspiration for me. I first watched it in college and was completely stunned by the quality, detail, and liveliness of the characters. Seeing how expressive and believable those creatures were really motivated me to pursue a career in CG and visual effects.