Jobs in VFX Part One

One of the greatest things about working in visual effects is the number of job options available. There are many different jobs that will satisfy your creative desires. As someone just learning visual effects, it might feel overwhelming to look at the number of jobs available and figuring out which one is best suited for your technical skills. In this article series, I will detail some of the most popular VFX jobs and break down the technical qualifications that you will most likely need.

Since there are numerous job opportunities that fall into different departments, I will be sorting the jobs by which department they are in.

Production Management Department

Production Coordinator

Production coordinators work for the production manager or producer and their primary responsibility is to ensure that the VFX projects are running smoothly. They arrange the day-to-day running of the team and organize the movement of the assets through the VFX pipeline.

Skills:

·         Knowledge of VFX and the VFX pipeline

·         Communication

·         Organization

·         Able to use software including Microsoft office and scheduling software

·         Able to remain calm under pressure

Pathway:

Every path is different, but the best way to become a production coordinator would be to seek an apprenticeship as a junior production coordinator. Obtaining a degree in VFX and networking with different companies while in school would be very helpful as well.

Production Manager

Production managers oversee the work of the production coordinator in scheduling the work and might also be involved in casting or hiring artists and drafting contracts. They also communicate with the producer of the company shooting the live-action footage. Production managers are often employed by VFX companies or studios rather than freelancers.

Skills:

·         Communication with various departments on a production in order to inform them of their schedules

·         Organization

·         Leadership

·         Knowledge of VFX and knowledge of all aspects of the VFX pipeline

·         Problem-solving

One of the best ways of becoming a production manager is to start off as a VFX runner,  gain enough experience to become a production coordinator and then advance to a production manager. Having a degree is a plus, so isseeking out an apprenticeship or internship.

VFX Editor

VFX editors link between the film or production team. The role varies depending on whether they are in-house or client-side. In-house editors   work with the client-side editor to ensure that the VFX studio has everything  they need to create their work.

Skills:

·         Attention to detail

·         Editing

·         Communication

·         Organization

·         Working to deadlines

VFX Producer

VFX Producers manage the whole process of creating the VFX for film or TV. They make sure that the client, usually the film or TV series’ producer or director, is happy with what the studio makes. VFX producers write the bid, the document through which they persuade the film or TV series’s producer to take their VFX studio on to do VFX work on a project. VFX producers put together the team of VFX artists and other technical staff. They set the schedules for the work, and they manage the budget. While filming is happening, VFX producers work closely with the live-action production crew. They also work with the editor in post-production. They communicate between the crew and editor. How much they interact with the client varies between studios. They might report to them on a weekly or even daily basis.

Skills:

·         Organization: effectively plan and manage the project using VFX production pipeline organization software, be able to budget accurately

·         Leadership: be confident in giving direction and leading a team, communicate well with everyone, create a positive atmosphere within the team

·         Knowledge of VFX

·         Problem-solving: anticipate any issues that might occur during the project, adapt to changing timescales and technical issues

·         Working with clients

VFX producers are senior-level positions, and the path to becoming one usually starts with being a runner, then being promoted to a production coordinator, then a production manager, then a producer.

Pre-production department

Concept artist

Concept artists create artwork to inspire the look of the visual effects in a film or tv production. They draw the characters or creatures and environments as well as vehicles, props, and buildings.

Skills:

·         Illustration: have a great ability to create inspirational art, understand image form, color, composition, and lighting

·         Interpretation: understand the key aspects of the source material, translate into artwork

·         Design appreciation

·         Software knowledge: be able to use computer illustration software and 3D VFX software to create concept art

·         Flexibility: respond well to notes from senior creative production members and adapt and update artwork accordingly

Concept artists often enter the role having first worked as illustrators outside  the industry, or they might have worked in an entry-level position in a film’s art department or  a VFX production company. Some VFX companies have a junior concept artist role, but they will be expected to have learned the skills to effectively use the relevant software, as well as having the desired artistic talent, before they take the artist on in this position.

Previsualization artist

Every production uses pre-visualization to plan out VFX sequences and how they will be shot. It is a critical part of the production since VFX artists can’t just wing it.The previs process work out the scale and timing and shows how the VFX sequence will fit into a live-action sequence.

Recommended Skills:

·         Strong storytelling skills with the ability to work on the fly in a fast-paced environment

·         3D asset creation including modeling, texturing, rigging and photogrammetric modeling

·         Strong camera and character animation or motion capture editing skills

·         Experience in Maya, After Effects, Photoshop, Unreal Engine, and MotionBuilder

·         Knowledge of practical cameras, rigs and on-set production is a plus

·         Knowledge of virtual production pipelines is a plus

On Set Department

Data Capture Technician

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  being used, its focal length, filters, focus, and color temperature.  They also record the camera height, camera mount, and distance between the camera and actor, in addition toother details. They take photos of surfaces so that the textures can be recreated digitally later on.

Recommended Skills:

·         Being accurate

·         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, organize, and prioritize your tasks

VFX Supervision

VFX supervisors are in charge of the whole VFX project. They manage the VFX pipeline, including all of the VFX artists that work in this process. They have ultimate responsibility for all of the VFX elements produced for a project by their company or studio. VFX supervisors are present for filming during production so that they can see if the shots are satisfactory and ready for the VFX elements. VFX supervisors continue to lead their team when the film is being put together during post-production. They oversee the quality of all work produced and make sure that it is in line with the vision of the director or producer.

Recommended Skills:

·         Art: have excellent design, layout, color, and composition

·         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

One of the great things about working in VFX is the great amount of job options for you but there are too many to fit into one article. In part 2, we will be covering jobs that fall under the CG department, Compositing department, and Technical department.