Production Manager
Production managers work closely with VFX producer to manage the various aspects of video production, including budgeting, scheduling, planning, and production. The decisions made by the VFX producer are carried out by production managers. Meanwhile, they supervise the junior position, the production coordinators, to complete the tasks in arranging the work.
See the article of MasterClass to know more about production manager:
They develop the project’s comprehensive schedule and manage the budget and any changes during production. They also engage in casting or recruiting artists, as well as preparing contracts, the releasing and permitting of actors, actresses, and location booking. In additions, the production manager also have to completes daily production report, which shows how the day’s shooting went and reports any deviations from the master shooting schedule.
Also see the blog of Pat Regan to understand what challenges a production manager will face:
VFX Editor
There are two types of VFX editors, client-side VFX editor and studio-side editor, or named as the in-house VFX editor.
The in-house VFX editor is responsible for interpreting, confirming, tracking and distributing information from the client VFX editor while acting as a liaison. This information may included sequence media, count sheets, reference and communication which are used to create a blueprint for each individual shot that affects the outcome of shot aesthetics, technical direction and budget. Also they have to manage shot version updates.
Client-side VFX editors’ work are much more about data tracking.
The VFX editor will be tracking every in/out point, reposition, plate change, retime, plate element, zoom and adjustment editorial make on every shots that are allocated to VFX, and any related clips, such as grey balls, charts, tiles, clean plates, etc, as all of this needs to be tracked and sent to studio for their work. Furthermore, they are responsible for doing initial drafts of visual effects shot to show to the director.
See the sharing of Richard Sanchez as the VFX editor of the movie Bill & Ted Face the Music:
Data input/output (I/O) Technician
Data input/output (I/O) technicians are responsible for organizing, transferring, and storing computer files and data of VFX production. Manage computer storage and recovery systems, including corporate hard drives.
VFX companies process large amounts of data because they process high quality video files and 3D digital animation files. They know different formats of digital cameras, for example Alexa, Cannon, Phantom and Red. Data I/O technicians solve every problem related to file storage.
Data I/O technicians ensure that all data transmission and storage is secure and files are encrypted when necessary. They follow company protocols to meet security standards. Create records of all files which receive, and high quality control tests in these files to see if problems occur or if the files are damaged.
Concept Artist
Concept artists provide strong reference that helps align the creatives working on the project in the earliest stage of production. They use visual to represent what a story tells or what a certain look conveys. They may start with rough sketching to design multitude of versions before any confirmation by director.
Many people may misunderstand their works are focus on pretty drawings only. In fact, flawless illustration is not a must. Instead, concept artists need to have good concept to design every details of the story telling to convince audience.
For example, can you imagine what Gotham city look like when it builds up with LEGO ?
Concept artists reimagine the both exterior and interior of cityscape and architectures at Gotham city before previs artists start to create the draft version. Concept art can be as details as how the garage is functioned or operated genuinely.
Also see another concept artist work for Netflix Love Death + Robots Season 2 as example :
Previs Artist (Previsualisation artist)
First of all, previsualisation is the stage of visualizing of complex scenes in a movie before filming. Following by the 2D storyboard from concept artists, previs artists start to create draft versions of the different moving image sequences and demonstrate to client or director before the full production.
With the intention of saving the cost of production, the works of previs artists might not be finer detail one, but it is an utmost important step for director to work out the sequences instead of the whole film later.
The work of previs artists is also a great help for further process at on-set shooting, as previsualisation with planned shot, the scale and timing of where the actors and actress need to move. Again, it is an act to reduce the time cost and manpower in full production.
See the case study of the top tier Previs studio, The Third Floor, for Marvel movie, Eternals as an example:
Reference:
1.beverlyboy.com. (2020). What is a Production Manager & What’s Their Job on the Film Set? [online] Available at: https://beverlyboy.com/film-crew-positions/what-is-a-production-manager-and-whats-their-job-on-the-film-set/
2.CineMontage. (2020). Cut to Black: Anedra Edwards, Visual Effects Editor. [online] Available at: https://cinemontage.org/cut-to-black-anedra-edwards-visual-effects-editor/
3.jonnyelwyn.co.uk. (n.d.). How To Be a VFX Editor | Jonny Elwyn – Film Editor. [online] Available at: https://jonnyelwyn.co.uk/film-and-video-editing/how-to-be-a-vfx-editor/
4.Richard, S (2020.). Meet VFX Editor Richard Sanchez – LAPPG. [online] Available at: https://lappg.com/2020/08/31/meet-vfx-editor-richard-sanchez/
5.ScreenSkills (n.d.). Data input/output (I/O) technician (also known as data technician) in the VFX industry. [online] ScreenSkills. Available at: https://www.screenskills.com/job-profiles/browse/visual-effects-vfx/production-management/data-input-output-i-o-technician/
6.Miller-Zarneke, T., Dc Comics, Inc, Lego Koncernen (Denmark and Warner Bros. Entertainment (2017). The Batman movie : the making of the movie. New York, New York: Dk Publishing.
7.Herr, N. (2018). What is Previsualization? | Animation Mentor Blog. [online] AM Blog. Available at: https://www.animationmentor.com/blog/what-is-previsualization/
8.Animation World Network. (n.d.). Previs Plays a Major Role in “Avengers: Infinity War.” [online] Available at: https://www.awn.com/vfxworld/previs-plays-major-role-avengers-infinity-war
9.www.youtube.com. (n.d.). How Marvel Actually Makes Movies Years Before Filming | Movies Insider. [online] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgvgi3ShcmY