Week 05

VFX supervisor

The VFX supervisor job is the highest leadership role within an entire VFX company or studio, and they are in charge of the whole VFX project. VFX Supervisors oversee the quality of all work produced and make sure that it is in line with the vision of the director or producer.

VFX Supervisor is good at:

  • Art: have excellent design, layout, colour and composition skills
  • Knowledge of photography: understand cameras, cinematography and how films are made, be able to influence the shoot so it works for the VFX
  • Knowledge of VFX programs: be adept at using relevant programs such as Maya, Nuke and Photoshop
  • Collaboration: work in preproduction with the director or producer to decide on which shots will need VFX work, respond to their creative and artistic direction
  • Leadership: share the director or producers’ vision of the film with the VFX artists of all departments, inspire them to do their best work, manage their output in terms of quality and deadlines.

So to become a VFX Supervisor, you will work in other, more junior, VFX roles first before reaching this position. VFX supervisors need the same technical skills and relevant software proficiency as junior VFX artists do, so you could start VFX work as a roto artist or prep artist and progress from there. In this case, an important thing that you can do to is to create a showreel to illustrate your abilities (even established VFX supervisors can have their own showreels). Alternatively, you can start work in the production department as a production coordinator or runner and go from there.

Data Capture technician

Data Capture technician is crucial for post-production, because of the overall style and effect for post-production and VFX need a standard to measure, so that’s what Data Capture technician do. Data capture technical directors go onto the film or TV set to collect the information about the live-action footage that the teams in the VFX studio need to add the visual effects.

They take photographs of the set and the way the cameras are positioned. They “capture data” about the type of lens type being used, its focal length, filters, focus and colour temperature.  They also record the camera height, camera mount and distance between the camera and actor, and other details. And they take photos of surfaces, so that the textures can be recreated digitally later on. All this information is necessary so the exact scene in the live action can be recreated digitally and the VFX can be incorporated in a believable way.

What’s a data capture TD good at?

Being accurate: be methodical in your work, pay close attention to detail, have strong problem-solving skills

Technical knowledge of cameras: have an in-depth understanding of all motion picture equipment, cameras, lenses, monitors and lights

Understand the VFX pipeline: know the process through which visual effects are created

Using software: use the data sharing application FileMaker Pro, be able to operate and maintain your data collecting equipment yourself

Being efficient: work quickly and accurately on set so that the physical production can run smoothly, organise and prioritise your tasks

Data Capture technician is an entry level in VFX, you can become a matchmove artist in a VFX Company and it gives on-set experience and also involves working with data capture TDs to place tracking markers on actors or parts of the set. Matchmove artists often have a degree in computer graphics, computer science or computer animation.

 

Compositor

Compositor is a bit more familiar to me, because i was study Digital Media for Bachelor Degree, i was studied AE and Premier mostly during my post-graduate. Compositors create the final image of a frame, shot or VFX sequence. They take all the different digital materials used (assets), such as computer-generated (CG) images, live action footage and matte paintings, and combine them to appear as one cohesive image and shot.

Compositors consider visual aspects of a scene. Realistic lighting is a key one of these. Anything caused by light hitting a lens is a compositor’s responsibility. They relight in order to improve the look of the image. Compositors always do compositing on Green or Blue screen, where a subject has been shot in front of a singularly green or blue background, in order to be able to place the subject in a different setting or environment later, in post-production.

What’s a compositor good at?

  • A good eye: recognise what makes an image appear realistic in terms of light, colour, composition and perspective
  • Knowledge of photography: understand cameras, cinematography and how films are made
  • Knowledge of compositing programs: be adept at using relevant programs such as After Effects, Blackmagic Fusion, Houdini, Maya, Nuke and Photoshop
  • Collaboration: be able to work with other VFX artists, use each other’s resources effectively and efficiently
  • Working to deadlines: work within given time frames, be able to complete work under pressure

The portfolio is very important to Compositor because though these, you can show your abilities to the VFX Company and Most compositors start as a runner or junior VFX artist for a VFX studio and work their way up. However, some studios take on junior compositors too.

Compositing Supervisor

Compositing Supervisor is a leader of the post production department, Compositing supervisors are in charge of the department that puts together all the different elements of the visual effects  shots. They manage the compositors, who do this work, and check it for quality. They are also responsible for ensuring the continuity of colour between shots.

Compositing supervisors are very experienced in compositing. They are experts in taking different digital materials, like computer-generated (CG) images and live-action footage, and combining them to appear as one cohesive shot.

 They organise the team of compositors to meet the deadlines so the film or TV production company gets the VFX work on time. They may also composite shots themselves if needed.

What’s a compositing supervisor good at?

  • A good eye: recognise what makes an image appear realistic in terms of light, colour, composition and perspective
  • Knowledge of photography: understand cameras, cinematography and how films are made
  • Communication and leadership: be able to manage compositors and share the creative vision of the project with them, inspire them to do their best work, manage their output in terms of quality and deadlines
  • Organisation: plan workflows with a view to meeting deadlines, distribute work amongst your team
  • Knowledge of VFX programs: be adept at using relevant programs such as Adobe After Effects, Blackmagic Fusion, Blender, Cinema 4D, Houdini, Maya, Nuke, RenderMan and 3ds Max

Supervisor roles are some of the most senior in VFX. So to become a compositing supervisor, you will need at least four years experience in this department and have a very good skills and abilities. Before that, you will start will a compositor, Roto artists or some entry level roles first.