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Professional and Industry Practice (Industry) 

For the Industry Assignment you will need to do the following

Part 1 - Industry Professional Interviews

  • Track down six industry professionals and interview them, closely study what they do, where they work, how they got there. Learn about their job the skills they have and how the job works

  • Present the results of these interviews in class in week 5 (no more than 10 slides) one slide should be a breakdown of a typical day for one of the job roles you are researching.

  • From what you have found out, write two job descriptions for two different roles in the industry

  • Show all evidence of contact with industry professional on the sketchbook – both questions and answers

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Part 2 – Employability

  • Write a up to date CV

  • Prepare a LinkedIN page

  • Create a cover letter for the job that you would like to apply to

  • Take part and succeed in a mock interview for your chosen job

 

Preparation for the mock job interview in week 4

Showreel (have read on sketchbook page)

LinkedIn (have read on sketchbook page)

Cover Letter (bring a printout)

CV (bring a printout)

CAREER MAP IN VFX

CAREERS IN VFX - SCREENSKILLS

PLAN FOR THE JOB I HOPE TO DO 

THE ROLE I WNAT TO DO WHEN I GRADUATE

LIST OF THINGS I NEED TO DO THE JOB

  • Matchmove Artist

    • Knowledge of 3D software : You should be comfortable with 3D software like Autodesk Maya. This includes knowledge of basic modeling, texturing, and lighting.

    • Understanding of camera tracking : Match move artists need to be able to track a camera's movement in a shot to accurately place 3D elements in the scene. You should have a good understanding of camera tracking techniques and software like 3D Equalizer.

    • Knowledge of compositing : You should have a good understanding of compositing software like Nuke. This will enable you to integrate the 3D elements into the shot and make adjustments to lighting and colour to create a seamless final image.

    • Attention to detail : Match move artists need to be able to spot tiny inconsistencies in a shot that might affect the accuracy of the final result. This requires a keen eye for detail and a willingness to be patient and meticulous.

    • Strong problem-solving skills : VFX is a collaborative process, and you'll often need to troubleshoot issues and work with other artists to find solutions. You should be able to approach problems creatively and come up with innovative solutions.

    • Communication skills : Effective communication is key in the VFX industry. You'll need to be able to communicate your ideas clearly and effectively to other artists and clients, and be able to take direction and feedback in a constructive way.

 

  • Compositor

    • Knowledge of compositing software : As a Compositor, you will need to have extensive knowledge of compositing software like Nuke. You should be comfortable with the interface, and understand how to use the tools to create different types of visual effects.

    • Understanding of colour theory and grading : Compositors should have a good understanding of colour theory and grading, and how to use this knowledge to create visual effects that fit with the overall look of the film or TV show.

    • Knowledge of visual effects techniques : You should be familiar with different types of visual effects techniques such as keying, rotoscoping, camera tracking, and particle effects. This will enable you to create a wide range of different types of visual effects.

    • Attention to detail : Compositors should have excellent attention to detail, and be able to spot even the tiniest inconsistencies in a shot that might affect the final result. You should be patient and willing to work meticulously to achieve the desired result.

    • Strong problem-solving skills : VFX is a collaborative process, and you will often need to troubleshoot issues and work with other artists to find solutions. You should be able to approach problems creatively and come up with innovative solutions.

    • Communication skills : Effective communication is key in the VFX industry. You should be able to communicate your ideas clearly and effectively to other artists and clients, and be able to take direction and feedback in a constructive way. Additionally, you should be able to work well in a team environment and be able to adapt to changing requirements and timelines.

MOCK INTERVIEW COVER LETTER

 

Florian Stephens

UWL VFX Company

London,

W5 5RF

 

0208 231 2468

 

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Dear Mr Stephens,

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My name is Dong-Hyun Song and I am writing to express my interest in the VFX compositor position at your company. As a final year student in Visual Effects at the University of West London, I have developed a strong passion for their art of compositing and would love to start my career in the VFX industry. 

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Through my studies, I have gained experience working with a variety of software programs, including May, Nuke, ZBrush, and 3DEqualizer. I am confident in my ability to utilize these tools to create high-quality visual effects, and I am always looking to expand my knowledge and skills in this area.

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In addition to my technical skills, I have gained valuable experience working in a team environment during my part-time job as a waiter at a Korean restaurant for over 4 years. This experience has taught me the importance of effective communication and collaboration, and I am confident that these skills will translate well to a career in the VFX industry. 

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I am excited about the opportunity to contribute my skills and enthusiasm to your team, and I am confident that my strong work ethic, attention to detail, and commitment to quality will make me a valuable asset to your company. 

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Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss my qualifications and how I can contribute to your team. 

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Sincerely, 

Dong-Hyun Song

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CONTACTING VISUAL EFFECTS PROFESSIONALS

Keagan Harris

Marcel Pichert

Kai Gadd

David Ellis 

Brian Budak

Ivan Sorgente

POSSIBLE QUIESTIONS

  1. What inspired you t o become a VFX compositor, and what do you enjoy most about the work? 

  2. can you describe a project you worked on that you found particularly challenging, and how you overcame the challenge? 

  3. How do you approach collaborating with other artists and departments within the VFX pipeline? 

  4. What software and tools do you use most frequently, and what tips do you have for becoming proficient in these tools? 

  5. What advice do you have for students or aspiring VFX artists looking to get into the industry? 

contacting indusry professsional.ppt

Junior Paint and Roto Artist - Advertising, Episodic & Immersive At Framestore

 

Job description

Framestore are looking for a dynamic Paint and Roto artist to work across our Advertising, Episodic and Immersive London team. Paint and Roto Artists work closely with Compositors to help them integrate all elements of an image, including CG and live action, to create visual effects shots. This includes creating mattes for CG hold-outs as well as using various techniques and software to remove items such as wires, rigs and tracking markers. This role is open to UK and EU applications. 

 

  • Responsibilities

    • Creating roto mattes for Compositors to use and having a comprehensive understanding of how these mattes will be used

    • Using patches and frame-by-frame painting techniques to remove rigs and tracking markers

    • De-graining and re-graining paint work before it leaves the department

    • Having an understanding of 3D tracking and being able to create 1, 2 and 4 point tracks

    • Creating foreground mattes for Animators to use within Maya

    • Using Linux to navigate around and create shot directories

    • Creating and reconstructing a picture that doesn't exist

    • Using expressions within Nuke to help aid paint work

    • Having an understanding of the 3D environment within Nuke, being able to use geo data to project clean plates and understanding how to use UV projections

    • Being able to accurately bid on how long paint and roto shots will take to complete

    • Learning and developing specific Framestore gizmos and workflows

    • Completing basic composites in Nuke and demonstrating keying, grading, re-timing and screen insertion skills

    • Demonstrating a willingness to learn new techniques and software and to sharing this knowledge with other artists in the department

 

  • Job requirements

    • Traditional art and design skills including a knowledge of composition and colour

    • Previous use of Nuke

    • An understanding of motion blur and how it affects mattes and patches

    • Prior use of a roto-scoping package, ideally Silhouette

    • A desire to learn new techniques and teach fellow artists

    • Excellent organisational and communication skills

    • The ability to take feedback constructively 

    • Good problem solving skills and the ability to work collaboratively with other artists

 

  • Desirable Skills

    • Prior experience in a Paint and Roto role

    • Prior knowledge of a Linux based operating system

    • 3D Maya interface experience

    • An understanding of Python scripting and how to use this to create and edit Framestore gizmos

    • Planar and point tracking software experience

    • A general understanding of the VFX production and comp workflows

    • A knowledge of photography and practical lighting

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Compositor At Scanline VFX

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Job description

Scanline VFX, a Netflix Company, is an award-winning, global leader in the visual effects industry with studios in 7 core locations.  From humble beginnings over 30 years ago, we’ve grown to a team of over 1,400 made up of diverse nationalities from around the world. Underpinned by a commitment to innovation, Eyeline Studios, Scanline’s virtual production division, is rethinking the future of real-time filmmaking by providing content creators with unmatched flexibility.

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Reporting to the Compositing Supervisor, the Compositor harmonizes all layers and elements to create the final and complete shot for live-action feature films. Working primarily in Nuke, they are responsible for continuity and understanding the full CG process.

 

  • KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

    • Establishes sequence looks for key visual effects shots

    • High-level show technical and creative challenges

    • Builds and maintains templates and supports other artists in utilizing them

    • Collaborates with other compositors to share knowledge and techniques

 

  • QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

    • Minimum three (3) years of live-action visual effects compositing experience

    • Minimum three (3) year of nuke compositing experience

    • Should possess a strong aptitude for solving technical workflow challenges with procedural solutions, creating efficient and organized scripts, and an advanced understanding of VFX workflows

    • Efficient communicator with the ability to accurately forecast task completion

    • Outstanding organizational skills and the ability to multitask

    • Keen eye for color and color matching

    • Ability to take direction positively, works well within a team, and thrives under the pressure of tight deadlines

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