By Lily Hutcheson
Welcome to NYWIFT, Faith Trinker!
Faith Trinker is a virtual production filmmaker and immersive storyteller. She recently graduated from NYU Tisch’s inaugural Virtual Production Master’s program, and has a background in 3D computer art and animation from Syracuse University.
In her work, she blends digital worldbuilding with on-set filmmaking, and is passionate about evolving workflows, fast-paced environments, and collaborative creativity. Her credits include projects for ESPN and the 2025 MSC Cruises Super Bowl spot featuring Drew Barrymore and Orlando Bloom.
Outside of work, she enjoys reading, drawing, cars, and her dog, Freddie. She’s eager to work with her new NYWIFT creative community.
Faith discusses her path to virtual production, favorite projects, and goals for the future!
NYWIFT Member Faith Trinker
Welcome to NYWIFT! Please introduce yourself briefly to our readers.
Hiya! I’m Faith Trinker and I’m an immersive storyteller and recent grad of NYU Tisch’s inaugural Master’s program in Virtual Production. I’m passionate about using new tech to push the boundaries of storytelling and filmmaking. When I’m not working on breaking into the industry, you’ll probably find me reading, sketching, geeking out over cars, or snuggling with my dog Freddie.
Faith Trinker directing
What brings you to NYWIFT?
I’m seeking community. I’m looking to connect with a network of strong, talented women who are just as excited about this industry as I am. I’d love to collaborate with fellow NYWIFT members and create work that is as challenging as it is exciting.
Faith Trinker directing a shoot
What initially drew you to the field of film, and specifically to work in virtual production?
Storytelling has always been in my DNA. As a kid, I created movie posters, then wrote my own graphic novels with the idea of making them into immersive video games. In undergrad at Syracuse, I studied 3D computer art and animation where I got hooked on building digital worlds in Maya and Unreal Engine. From there, it was an easy leap into virtual production.
Virtual production uses technology to place live-action stories inside 3D worlds of our own creation. It is a really perfect blend of the things I love most: immersive 3D environments and storytelling. It demands flexibility and deep collaboration, so I was bound to fall in love with it!
Faith Trinker working on monitors
Can you share a bit about your experience working on projects that combine film and athletics, such as creating graphics for NBC Sports?
I worked remotely for NBC Sports creating on-air broadcast graphics for Tokyo Olympics and Sunday Night Football. But it was my on-set experience with ESPN that really brought my virtual production skills together.
I worked with 4Wall Entertainment to make a virtual set for ESPN’s Sunday NFL Countdown. The environment had to be flexible enough for the constantly changing nature of broadcast sports graphics, but with a high enough framerate and image quality for the realistic blending of the virtual and physical sets. I worked closely with VP Supervisor Eve Roth making assets for the environment from her pre-vis concepts. We only had one month to complete it in time and integrate it into their studio for the live launch – and we did it! It was so exciting to watch the live premier in studio with the 4Wall and ESPN teams!
Faith Trinker on a location shoot
How has your education in film and virtual production helped you grow as a filmmaker?
Because of the pandemic, I spent about half of my undergrad experience learning virtually. While I gained a solid foundation in filmmaking, I didn’t get many chances to put that knowledge into practice since everything was done remotely.
After graduating from Syracuse in 2021, I continued building my technical skills. I earned my certification in UE5 World Building from CG Pro. Later, I enrolled in the inaugural NYU Tisch Virtual Production Master’s program, where I learned how to merge traditional filmmaking techniques with the latest in virtual production technology.
This path has opened up exciting new ways for me to tell stories visually and has given me more confidence as a filmmaker than I ever imagined. I’m dedicated to growing and evolving alongside this ever-changing technology.
What has been a favorite project you’ve worked on so far, and what made it special for you?
My favorite project so far is the MSC Cruises 2025 Super Bowl spot featuring Drew Barrymore and Orlando Bloom. This project reunited me with the 4Wall/ESPN project team and it was my first TV commercial experience. I LOVED the speed! We had to get through 14 different virtual environment scenes in just two shoot days – crazy! But it was amazing to be part of such a large talented crew and learn how to tackle all the creative and technical challenges in real time. And we still had so much fun on set – it was hard not to giggle the first time we heard some of Drew and Orlando’s funny lines on pre-light.
Faith Trinker on set
Are there any projects you are currently working on or would like to explore in the future?
Right now, I’m focused on finding work and staying open to unexpected creative paths. I’d love to work more in commercial and live broadcast spaces using virtual production, but I’m also dreaming up some original narrative work where I can really push the boundaries of what virtual sets can do emotionally, not just technically.
I have experience as a PA, A2, grip, gaffer, production coordinator, engine operator, VAD artist, and director and would love to work with NYWIFT members in any way to support their groundbreaking stories.
Connect with Faith Trinker on her website FaithTrinker.com or via LinkedIn.
(All images courtesy of Faith Trinker)
Lily Hutcheson
Lily Hutcheson is an intern at NYWIFT and a student at Princeton University, where she is studying English and creative writing. She grew up in Vermont, and enjoys spending time outdoors with her dogs. She loves film, television, and theater, and especially enjoys writing and directing. She hopes to continue exploring these interests post-graduation, and is excited to be a part of the NYWIFT community!
Related Posts
Meet the New NYWIFT Member: Helen Huang
Welcome to NYWIFT, Helen Huang! Helen Huang (Haitong Huang) is a New York–based creative director, filmmaker, and curator working across film, moving image, and immersive media. She has served as Creative Director for the SOHO International Film Festival and is a core member of Vermilions Theater. Her work explores how cinematic storytelling evolves across new formats, bridging traditional film language with emerging technologies. A fellow at the Harvard Innovation Lab, she has received multiple international awards, with her work featured in Forbes, ELLE, and Harvard Gazette.
READ MOREMeet the New NYWIFT Member: Kaia Goudreau
Welcome to NYWIFT, Kaia Goudreau! Kaia Goudreau is a filmmaker and photographer based in Brooklyn, New York. She studied filmmaking and writing at Sarah Lawrence College, cultivating a focus on stories that explore life’s in-between moments—aging, change, and quiet rituals. Kaia is developing a short film slated for production later this year and collaborating with director Linda Yellen on features in development and casting. She has also contributed to creative projects in France and Ireland, expanding her visual lens. Whether narrative or documentary, her work lingers on subtle moments that reveal depth and character. In our interview, Kaia discusses her inspiration and background in filmmaking, as well as her exciting upcoming projects.
READ MOREMeet the New NYWIFT Member: Elliana Bertrand
Welcome to NYWIFT, Elliana Bertrand! Elliana is a New York–based producer, assistant director, and script supervisor working across film and television. A graduate of the inaugural cohort at NYU Tisch’s Martin Scorsese Virtual Production Center, she produced her thesis film The Feather, a Viking short shot exclusively on an LED volume. Over the past year, she has worked in the film unit at Saturday Night Live and contributed to a range of feature films and commercial projects, including a recent Netflix production. A dedicated moviegoer and advocate for the theatrical experience, Elliana has a particular love for Giallo cinema. Alongside her work in the industry, she is completing her Pilates teacher certification, bringing a refined understanding of movement, rhythm, and choreography into her approach to flow and precision on set. In our interview, she discussed her journey into assistant directing, the lessons she’s learned working in production, and the projects she hopes to explore in the future.
READ MOREMeet the New NYWIFT Member: Naomi Pemberton
Welcome to NYWIFT, Naomi Pemberton! Naomi is a Bronx-born healthcare leader and storyteller whose work centers on resilience, faith, and the lived experiences of women navigating complex systems and personal transformation. An Afro-Latina with Jamaican and Dominican heritage, Naomi brings more than 25 years of experience in healthcare administration into her creative work, drawing on real-world insight to shape powerful, socially conscious narratives. Her writing includes the Paradigms of Life trilogy, a series that explores sisterhood, identity, systemic challenges, and personal growth. Her books—including The Paradigms of Life: Sisterhood, Loss, and Unbreakable Bonds, Paradigms: The Experiment, and Life Paradigms: Work-Life Balance—follow women navigating betrayal, bias, ambition, and healing. Through her storytelling, Naomi blends emotional depth with broader social commentary, addressing issues such as workplace bias, faith, and the pursuit of balance in a demanding world. In addition to her writing, Naomi continues to mentor, lead, and inspire through her professional and community work. A dedicated advocate for underserved communities, she has held senior roles across healthcare systems and nonprofit organizations focused on health equity and community engagement, and serves on Bronx Community Board 11. Across healthcare, literature, and media, her mission remains the same: to create impact, amplify voices, and inspire the next generation of leaders and storytellers. In our interview, she reflects on her journey as a healthcare leader and author, the inspiration behind her book trilogy, and how storytelling can be a powerful tool for advocacy.
READ MORE
Comments are closed