Hello.
The CGSociety has done an interview with visual-effects supervisor Alan McKay. He relates how were his childhood years experimenting with early software and rendering techniques, and the challenges that he faced on his way to working on Hollywood blockbuster films.

It is an illuminating read even if you don't want to work in the visual-effects field.

http://www.cgsociety.org/index.php/CGSFeatures/CGSFeatureSpecial/alan_mckay

It was a great read thank you for the link, I wish I'd have discovered my passion when I was has young as him but this is still inspiring.