WEEK 2 Assignment
Runner
The role of Runner is often the first job that someone will have in the VFX industry. A runner will support all the other members of the team by acting as a conduit between colleagues and departments. Their day will be a mixture of errands, passing on messages, picking up and delivering materials, office admin, organising diaries and meetings and generally supporting in whichever way possible. Whilst doing this they have the chance to watch and learn from their experienced colleagues.
Prep artist
The prep artist prepares footage of backgrounds so that it is ready for effects to be added eg figures, crowds, creatures, explosions, etc. They use VFX software to remove any marks or dust from the shots (or ‘plates’) and also remove any live-action support equipment such as harnesses or microphones that may have been used in capturing the live footage. Once this is done the compositors can layer on the desired foreground effects. Below is an image of artist Anton Egorov at work.
Roto artist
The roto artist will take parts of live-action shots by drawing round and removing them to use with different images, either live-action or CGI or a combination. The required cut-outs are called ‘mattes’ and can be integrated with different backgrounds and effects in multiple ways. The image below shows stages of the process from a scene in A Scanner Darkly (2006)
WEEK 3 Assignment
Modelling Artist
The modelling artist creates 3D computerised imagery, usually from ideas given to them by a concept artist or from other reference materials such as photos. They will use the concept artist’s brief and drawings, paintings or 3D models to create a digital 3D version of an image such as a person, animal, plant or vehicle. The initial image is a ‘wireframe’ or ‘mesh’ of lines which is then worked on with digital sculpting brushes and graphics pens. The digital model can then be further manipulated with other effects such as animation, texturization and light/shading. Here is an image of polygonal modelling which uses polygon meshes.
Animator
The animator brings digital figures ‘to life’, giving them characteristics and human or animal emotions and movements. VFX animators use computer-generated rigs (a digital ‘skeleton’ which enables realistic movement) to help with lifelike expressions such as fear or laughter, or to show how the body works, for example how an elderly person might stoop.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visual_effects
Texture artist
The texture artist works with the 3D digital images which start off as a plain (normally grey) shape, to further add to the realism by creating shadows, reflections, scratches etc. They need to research how surfaces look and behave under various conditions such as different light, weather conditions, ageing, wear and tear. They also create realistic-looking materials such as fur, cloth, animal markings, wood and metals.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visual_effects
https://www.foundry.com/insights/film-tv/texture-artist-mari
Environment artist
The environment artist makes the digital surroundings in which the actors, either real or created, move and interact. These surroundings could be anything that exists or can be imagined, such as solar systems, oceans, forests, cities or supernatural and surreal environments, such as the ecosystem of an imagined planet. They create backdrops for action in places where it would be impossible or dangerous to film in reality, such as inside a volcano, at the top mountain or at the bottom of the sea. Some examples of the main softwares used by environment artists to model and sculpt are Maya, Zbrush, 3D Studio Max, Mudbox and Blender.
https://80.lv/articles/the-stages-of-environment-art-in-gamedev/
WEEK 4 Assignment
Layout artist
The Layout Artist recreates the sets, objects and camera motion of a shot in a 3D software environment to match the live-action background plate images. They set up the virtual camera for each scene in a production, address the composition of each shot to establish camera angles and direction, zooming in and out etc and overall lighting requirements. They need to ensure that the correct scale is applied to all objects.
https://www.artstation.com/artwork/8ekb5m
Matchmove artist
The matchmove artist ensures that digitally created scenes match with actual footage from live shots in a convincing way, addressing position, scale, orientation, and motion. The live backgrounds are recreated digitally to completely mirror the camera on the set in every way, including lens distortion; this requires taking detailed measurements of size, shape, positioning, and properties of all objects and also the background elements such as walls and stairs.
Lighting artist
The lighting artist’s role is to further enhance the realism of digitally produced scenes, giving them depth and believability, to achieve the same effects as a Director of Photography would in a live shot. The computer-generated lighting is manipulated to create different moods by adjusting the colour, saturation and positioning, and the lighting artist will try to match the appearance of CG objects to that of the real elements.
https://o_baillargeon.artstation.com/projects/198O2
CG Supervisor (computer graphics supervisor)
The CG supervisor manages the artists who create the imagery and decides the work schedule and the order of all the elements of the process. They have a managerial role and are responsible for the standards of the work and keeping to deadlines. They will also establish the elements of the work that will need to be researched by software developers.
Look development artist
The look development artist ensures that the overall world and characters of a story look consistent and a part of a cohesive whole. They work closely with concept artists to decide how a particular CG element such as a creature would look in different settings such as in the rain or at night. They also liaise with lighting and texturing artists and technical directors to achieve the different looks, taking into account the various stages of texturing, lighting and rendering.
http://www.xuanprada.com/blog/2014/8/18/colorway-for-look-development-in-vfx
WEEK 5 Assignment
VFX supervisor
The VFX supervisor has ultimate responsibility for the all the VFX produced by their organisation and will oversee a whole VFX project. They manage the VFX pipeline and the relationship with the director or producer of a film or TV programme. They retain responsibility during the post-production process.
Data capture technician
The data capture technician will visit a set to gather all the information about the live filming for a project, to pass on to the VFX teams. They will photograph the set and the camera positions, and gather data about the lenses and filters. This information will be uploaded and shared with the VFX team constantly throughout filming, so that the artists and technicians can match the scenes and action and build on the effects.
Compositor
The compositor brings together all the digital elements of a project and combines them with the live footage and paintings to produce the final combined image, ensuring that the components blend together seamlessly so that the viewer sees a cohesive overall scene.
http://www.maacanimationkasba.com/maac-courses/advance-compositing/
Compositing supervisor
The compositing supervisor manages the department that puts together all the different elements of the VFX shots. They check the compositors’ work for quality and continuity.
Week 6 Assignment
FX TD (Effects technical director)
The FX Technical Director creates realistic particle and fluid effects for live-action film and television, such as fire, smoke, water, air debris, snow, clouds, storms, steam, etc. They will often work on the live set to ensure the footage is filmed in the best way for special effects to be added in the post-production process and create code for customised tools required for the production.
https://beverlyboy.com/film-crew-positions/what-is-a-visual-effects-director/
TD (Assistant technical director)
The TD assists the FX Technical Director to ensure the smooth operation of the tools, software and workflows used by VFX team. They support the pipeline, troubleshooting issues with the workflow tools. They can create code for small-scale issues encountered by the VFX artists.
Software developer
The software developer designs and implements the components and applications
needed for a VFX project, and creates the systems for technical directors to utilise and adapt to the needs of their VFX artists. They design new digital tools to operate within existing software systems, so that they can be re-used in later projects.
Pipeline TD (Pipeline technical director)
The pipeline TD is a coordinating role, ensuring that a VFX project progresses efficiently and identifying and fixing problems as they arise. They ensure each VFX department has the software tools they need to complete project on time and to the required standards.
Week 7 Assignment
Rigging TD (rigging technical director)
The rigging TD creates the bone structure or ‘skeleton’ of 3D digital models, and programs them to move as a real person or creature would. The rig is used by the VFX animators as the starting point for creating their characters.
Creature TD (creature technical director)
A Creature TD is responsible for building, rigging and simulating the internal anatomy of a creature. They build software that can be used to create life-like looking fur, feathers, scales and skin. They also liaise with pipeline TDs to incorporate these tools into the VFX pipeline.
https://www.williamgabriele.com/single-post/creatures-in-vfx-skin-binding-and-skin-simulation
VFX Producer
The VFX producer manages all aspects of a project, ie writing bids, planning and scheduling of resources, client management, keeping track of scope/budget changes and ensuring the project comes in on time and in budget, whilst maintaining the highest quality of work.
Production Manager
The Production manager supports the VFX producer and carries out the plans and decisions made, with detailed project scheduling and budget management.
They line-manage the production coordinator, and often draw up contracts and hire artists. They liaise with all contributors to the pipeline and also with the producer of the live filming.
Weeks 8-10 Assignment
VFX editor
The VFX editor is the conduit between the live-action team and the VFX team. They can be employed by the film/TV studio or the VFX company. They liaise constantly with both to ensure that the live-action and the VFX can be integrated as efficiently as possible. VFX Editors are not usually responsible for the actual making or editing of visual effects, but they are responsible for the tracking, organisation and communication of shots. If employed by the film/TV studio they will usually be on set during filming, to check that the footage will be suitable for VFX to added, and if employed by the VFX company they will liaise with their client counterparts and ensure that the VFX studio artists have all they need to create their work.
Data input/output (I/O) technician
The Data I/O Technician manages all the content created during the VFX project, delivering it to clients, backing up files and troubleshooting technical issues related to drives or data transfer or the SAN (Storage Area Network). They must ensure that all security protocols are followed (such as file encryption) and the data deliverables are accurate.
Concept artist
The concept artist works at the beginning stage of the visual effects pipeline to create compelling artwork for creatures, characters and environments that will inspire all the other artists and technicians involved in the project. They start with a brief, which could be a script or an idea in the mind of the filmmaker, and will be the first artists to express the ideas onto the page and/or screen, in 2D, 3D or both. The concept artists’ work will be constantly referred to by the other artists to ensure that they maintain consistency of style and all have the same shared vision.
https://medium.com/@thefocus/5-insights-into-concept-art-in-vfx-85e56ef5d0fb
Previs Artist (Previsualisation artist)
The previs artist works with storyboards from a concept artist to plan the overall look of a film, ie visualising the scenes before fully creating them. They use 3D animatics to make lower-quality rough draft versions of the moving image sequences, planning shots, gauging the scale, timing and positioning of characters, which then enables the production team to organise the scenes in a consistent manner. This ultimately saves time and money for both the film-makers and the VFX team, as changes further along the pipeline would be more costly.
Once a film is in production, previs artists help the other VFX artists to maintain a consistent style in their work. They are usually also skilled at compositing and editing.
https://postperspective.com/tag/previs/
Week 11 Assignment
Having researched all the vfx roles, I feel I would like to be a compositor because I like to have a holistic view of the whole development of the look of a film, particularly grading, colour correcting and adding cg elements to a scene.
References
https://axisstudiosgroup.com/careers/jobs/vfx-editor/
https://www.entertainmentcareers.net/deluxe-entertainment/data-i-o-technician/job/337462/
https://www.thefocus.com/updates/
https://www.premiumbeat.com/blog/how-an-average-vfx-pipeline-works/
https://axisstudiosgroup.com/careers/jobs/vfx-producer/
https://www.creativeheads.net/job/16777/creature-td-in-wellington
https://sciencebehindpixar.org/pipeline/rigging
http://vfxvancouver.com/job/waterproof-studios-vancouver-2-rigging-td/
https://jobs.lever.co/scanlinevfx/0d0eb938-609f-40a2-bd44-c2890ec89466
https://www.solihull.ac.uk/course/assistant-technical-director-visual-effects-apprenticeship/
https://www.cgspectrum.com/career-pathways/fx-technical-director
https://disneyanimation.com/process/look-development/
https://www.cgspectrum.com/blog/what-is-3d-texturing
https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-visual-effects-work-in-film#3-types-of-visual-effects
The Screenskills ‘map’ of roles in VFX:
https://www.screenskills.com/media/4381/vfx-cmyk-2021-master-inclusive-web.pdf
The Screenskills explanation of VFX departments:
https://www.screenskills.com/job-profiles/browse/visual-effects-vfx/