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:

How to Become a Unit Production Manager: The Art of Saying No

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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:

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Also see another concept artist work for Netflix Love Death + Robots Season 2 as example :

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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:

Eternals

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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

Rigging TD

Rigging technical directors (Rigging TD), are responsible for the creation, maintenance, and expansion of rigging, refers to the process of creating the bone structure of a 3D model, included variety of props, vehicles, characters, and other CG objects, which needs to animate.

Rigging TD have to collaborate with the animation team to develop rigs that are intuitive and responsive to the needs of animators, and extend rigs to meet any specific shot’s performance needs. Also, they ensure to follow the rigging department’s technical criteria and guarantee that rigs are pipeline safe.

An example of this job role can be seen in Roman Zhuk’s showreel:

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Creature TD

Creature technical directors (Creature TD), are responsible for providing a wide variety of dynamic simulations for character based work; including clothing, hair, muscle, skin ,fur and feathers as well as any post simulation sculpting.

Comparing to rigging technical directors, Creature TDs create simulation rigs for characters and creatures using Maya, nCloth, nHair, and additional 3D software. However, both Rigging TD and Creature TD are aim to make sure the effects are realistic and integrate in with the other VFX and live-action elements of movies.

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VFX Producer

The Visual Effects Producer is at the heart of a production alongside the Visual Effects Supervisor. They are responsible for overseeing all parts of a show, including resource planning and scheduling, client management, scope or budget modifications, and ensuring the project is completed on time and on budget while maintaining the greatest level of quality.

Further, they plan and schedule resources with the Visual Effects Supervisor to create an effective approach to the visual effects work. Also, they ensures the project delivers on time and to agreed margin. Therefore, negotiation and mediation skills of VFX producers are vital when steering projects in the same direction while keeping everyone working in harmony atmospheres.

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Production Manager

VFX Production Managers are responsible for managing artists, schedules, and daily tasks. Also, they closely work in conjunction with VFX Producers and VFX Supervisors. They monitor the production coordinator’s work in terms of scheduling, and may also be engaged in casting or hiring artists, as well as drafting contracts.

VFX Production Managers communicate with VFX artists and technical directors (TDs) while using pipeline software – like ShotGrid (Shotgun), across the VFX pipeline to ensure that projects are completed on schedule. They are also familiar with VFX, production, and post-production workflows and infrastructure on both the production and vendor sides.

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Reference:

1.ScreenSkills (n.d.). Production manager in the VFX industry. [online] ScreenSkills. Available at: https://www.screenskills.com/job-profiles/browse/visual-effects-vfx/production-management/production-manager-visual-effects-vfx/

2. Fredin, N. (n.d.). 5 Tips To Get a Job in Visual Effects | VFX Career Advice |CG Spectrum. [online] www.cgspectrum.com. Available at: https://www.cgspectrum.com/blog/5-tips-to-get-a-job-in-the-visual-effects-industry.

3. IAMAG Inspiration. (2013). Penn stevens Creature FX TD. [online] Available at: https://www.iamag.co/penn-stevens-creature-fx-td/ [Accessed 8 Jan. 2022].

FX TD (Effects Technical Director)

Effects technical director is a role to direct for generating the effects of natural phenomena, like weather, fog, thunder, tornadoes, etc, and various kinds of destruction as well, unique to the production, and ensure that effects are rendered smoothly for the screen.

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Moreover, they incorporate special effects into live-action material, with professional understanding of, art, science, filmmaking and post-production, the FX TD get the finest special effects by programming and successfully convey this to the filmmakers in order for the scenes to function.

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TD (Assistant Technical Director)

TD (Assistant technical director) is responsible to solve the technical software problems by creating tools for artists with coding of Python and C++. Some company also name this position as tools developer, pipeline developer, CG developer, software developer for Less-experienced employees. They can organise workflow automatable by script or plugins, instead of repetitions.

Take the experience of John Russell as a DreamWorks Animation’s Technical Director as an example.

Their works are extremely useful to utilise a variety of industry standard graphical applications, scripting languages and operating systems, and support projects by gathering artist requirements, designing solutions and coding small-scale tools using established employer workflow requirements.

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Software Developer

Software developers work closely with technical directors to create more efficient workflow system to fit VFX artists’ requirements. They also create new tools for VFX artists with coding of Python and C++ to suit the need of existing software. This allows objects to be efficiently passed from one VFX phase to the next.

In a research and development stage, they need to figure out how to increase the efficiency of operations. Software developers have to keep their eyes on the latest version of software and technology in their profession. They come up with new approaches to help the artists in the pipeline do their job as quickly and as successfully as possible.

See this article to know more about software developer in Pixar:
https://review.firstround.com/Lessons-from-Pixar-Why-Software-Developers-should-be-Story-Tellers

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Pipeline TD (Pipeline Technical Director)

Pipeline TD is a senior role with advanced coding ability in C++ and Python to ensure that a VFX production operates successfully by seeing and resolving issues as they emerge. The different steps of production necessary to add visual effects in a studio are referred to as the VFX pipeline. The pipeline aims to organise each department so that each VFX artist is aware of their responsibilities and a production can stay on schedule.

See this interview of Marieke van Neutigem to know more about pipeline TD in Double Negative:
https://discover.therookies.co/2020/07/18/marieke/

Pipeline TD also ensure that each department has the software tools necessary to accomplish their share of the project to the highest possible quality. They have professional knowledge of how VFX production pipelines operate and the functions of each part performs.

Please also see the article of ProductionBase Community for more details:

How To Become a Pipeline TD

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Reference:

1.Lidia Martinez’s Blog. (n.d.). All about Technical Directors – Part 1: What is a TD and what makes a good one? [online] Available at: http://blog.lidia-martinez.com/all-about-technical-directors-part-1

2.The Rookies. (n.d.). Markus Kranzler | Rookie Awards 2020. [online] Available at: https://www.therookies.co/contests/groups/rookie-awards-2020/judges/139

3.Alexander Richter TD. (n.d.). Technical Director & Coach | Alexander Richter. [online] Available at: http://www.alexanderrichtertd.com

4.Boshoer, I. (2018). What Pipeline TDs and Engineers Need to Know About Visual Effects Studios. [online] Medium. Available at: https://medium.com/@iboshoer/what-pipeline-tds-and-engineers-need-to-know-about-visual-effects-studios-993c093c8f1d.

5.McMahon, C. (2021). What is a Pipeline TD and how can I become one? [online] ftrack. Available at: https://www.ftrack.com/en/2021/09/what-is-a-pipeline-td.html#what-does-a-pipeline-td-do

6.Spectrum, C.G. (n.d.). FX Technical Director Job Description, Salary, Skills & Software. [online] www.cgspectrum.com. Available at: https://www.cgspectrum.com/career-pathways/fx-technical-director.

CG Supervisor

CG Supervisor is the person in charge of all 3D content on a production and oversees all 3D departments. It is their responsibility to interpret and carry out the director’s and VFX supervisors’ artistic goals on time and on budget. CG Supervisor must be familiar with both the artistic and technical requirements of CG production with challenging 3D work. They report to the VFX supervisor and collaborate closely with all department heads to ensure a high technical level is maintained throughout the project.

They are leaders and hands-on contributors through all
stages of pre and post production. They often walk around the desks of the VFX artists in studio to check their work and provide feedback, then for the compositors who put the whole scene together, via VFX pipeline. On large productions, there might be several CG supervisors, each concentrating on a specific area.

See the interview of CG Supervisor of X-Men: Dark Phoenix as an example:

https://www.nutscomputergraphics.com/en/ispirational/interview-with-cristian-spagnuolo-cg-supervisor/

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Look Development Artist

The job nature of look development artist is used to work in pre-production phase where the movie’s overall artistic & scene styles are established. They may decide if the look will be realistic, stylized, or both with elements like, the mood, tone, and color palette or any other pieces for the movie.

Once look development is confirmed during early production by director, all the artists in VFX pipeline then use these looks when they create their assets to ensures consistency and quality. To put it simple, look development artists aim to design a consistent style throughout a film.

Click to see the description of look development stage in Disney Animation Studio:

Their work function as a rough guideline to illustrate the details of modelling objects for all artists in VFX pipeline are able to use it as a reference to work on.

Please also see the work of Erica Liu as an example of look development artist:

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According to the artwork of Erica, it is predicted that there will be clay texture and fur texture for the characters, displacement on sea rock for the roughness in the underwater setting, of the movie Kamp Koral: SpongeBob’s Under Years (2021).

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Reference:

1.Lee, T. (2019). Understanding the VFX Pipeline: What It Is And How It Works (2021). [online] Academy of Animated Art. Available at: https://academyofanimatedart.com/behind-the-scenes-understanding-the-vfx-pipeline/.

2. Animation World Network. (2004). “Shrek 2”: A Visual Development Gallery. [online] Available at: https://www.awn.com/vfxworld/shrek-2-visual-development-gallery

3. Concept Art Empire. (2019). What is Look Development? [online] Available at: https://conceptartempire.com/look-development/.

4.ericaliuser.com. (n.d.). Erica Liu Look Development Portfolio. [online] Available at: https://ericaliuser.com/

5.Walt Disney Animation Studios. (n.d.). Walt Disney Animation Studios – Look Development. [online] Available at: https://www.disneyanimation.com/team/look-development-artist/

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VFX Supervisor

VFX supervisor is the most top tier position in VFX industry hierarchy. They are responsible for the entire VFX project. They deal with the VFX pipeline, remembering all of the VFX artists that work for this cycle. They have obligation regarding all of the all components created for the movie.

VFX supervisors work on an undertaking from the beginning phases of preproduction. They often need to communicate among VFX artists and the director or producer of the film or TV program. In this way, they settle on what VFX is required for each shot of the film together. VFX supervisors also work with the VFX specialists to make draft version and present to director.

Take Mr. Swen Gillberg as an example:

	Filmography Of Swen Gillberg
2021	Free Guy (production visual effects supervisor)
2019	Avengers: Endgame (additional visual effects supervisor)
2018	Avengers: Infinity War (additional visual effects supervisor)
2016	Captain America: Civil War (visual effects associate supervisor)
2015	Fast & Furious 7 (senior visual effects supervisor: Digital Domain)

https://www.flickeringmyth.com/2021/10/exclusive-interview-free-guys-vfx-supervisor-on-the-most-challenging-scene-creating-a-jacked-cg-ryan-reynolds-and-more/

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Data Capture Technician

Data capture technician is responsible for capturing and organising all data from a movie shoot. They have to work on-set to collect data, ranging from type of lens, focal length, filters, focus, colour temperature to camera height and camera mount will be used significantly for further VFX process. They need to ensure that the distance of sets and actors are marked up.

In this way, they upload, log, and backup all data before delivering it to the appropriate VFX company members on a daily basis by using total station.

Tales from on set: Lidar scanning for ‘Joker’ and ‘John Wick 3’

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Compositor

Compositor is the job position to seamlessly merge digital assets with live-action footage to bring together the final shot of movie. Their work is the final step of the VFX pipeline, which in charge of assisting in the creation of the final finished animation, film, or other production by spotting faults and designing compositing tactics that produce a balanced overall aesthetic.

They have to get familiar with software, Nuke, with organizational skills and the ability to multitask to edit node graph, while keeping sharp eye for color grading and color matching.

Also see the VFX Compositing Artist, Genevieve Camilleri’s Interview & Advice :

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Compositing Supervisor

Compositing supervisors work closely with the compositors, as a leader to supervise the team of compositors, meanwhile they work closely with VFX supervisors to ensure the timely completion of shots for their shows. They oversee all compositing aspects of film production. Supervisors might complete and deliver compositing shots when necessary to the project with their very experienced skill in compositing.

Compositing supervisors also need to manage the production workflow and VFX pipeline as well as the production bidding.

Take Mr. Jim Steel and Mr. Anthony Smith as examples:

PADDINGTON: Anthony Smith – Compositing Supervisor – Framestore

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Reference:

1. Borges, G. (2020). 7 career tips for compositors in VFX. [online] Available at: https://thefocus.com/updates/7-career-tips-compositors

2. McMahon, C. (2021). 5 tips to keep your compositing team productive. [online] ftrack. Available at: https://www.ftrack.com/en/2021/03/5-tips-to-keep-your-compositing-team-productive.html

3. Fitzgerald, R. (n.d.). VFX Compositing Artist Interview & Advice With Genevieve Camilleri. [online] www.cgspectrum.com. Available at: https://www.cgspectrum.com/blog/vfx-compositing-artist-interview-advice-with-genevieve-camilleri

4. IMDb. (n.d.). Jim Steel. [online] Available at: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1140628/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1

5. IMDb. (n.d.). Swen Gillberg. [online] Available at: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1089828/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1

6. View Archive (2011). Leading VFX Data Capture Company 4DMax Invest in the Latest Leica High-Definition Surveying Technology. [online] Eric Colburn, PLS. Available at: https://ericcolburn.com/leading-vfx-data-capture-company-4dmax-invest-in-the-latest-leica-high-definition-surveying-technology/

Layout Artist

Layout artist is an entry level job position in the process of basic filmmaking part to design shot frame, camera paths and angles, along with depth, perspective, and lighting for an animated sequence. They work with directors to translate storyboards into action sequences with initial line work for backgrounds, acting as the eye of the cinematographer and gaffer in animation.

They give the characters some poses and rough animation, then animate the cameras giving them nice movements and continuity between shots and scenes. With layout artists, director can try different angles and lenses to find the best ones for each shot.

Take a screen cap of Toy Story (1995) as an example, the final version of is basic on the work of layout artist as below:

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Matchmove Artist

In this job position, Matchmove artists track and calibrate live footage frames in order to incorporate them into a digital replica. They transfer the real life camera’s movements into a computer-generated model by combining live camera shots into an environment in CG software and using matchmoving software, to generate models.

Moreover, Matchmove artists perform body and object tracking by using markers to recreate the movements of people, vehicles, or other objects in CG. The motion files, including camera, object, or body tracks, created are then passed along to other departments via the VFX pipeline to digital compositor.

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Lighting Artist

Lighting artists are also integral parts of the storytelling process, manipulating color and light in subtle and dynamic ways to emphasize mood shifts.
Lighting artists are in charge of the lighting, rendering, and compositing of shots together with character and environment renders to meet the director’s vision. Moreover, they use shader settings to simulate reflection and wet surface effects.

Just as there is a director of photography and gaffer in live-action productions who decide what lights to use and where to place them, so there is a lighting artist in CG animations.

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Reference:

1. Spectrum, C.G. (n.d.). Layout Artist Job Description, Salary, Skills & Software | CG Spectrum. [online] www.cgspectrum.com. Available at: https://www.cgspectrum.com/career-pathways/layout-artist

2. VISION AGE VFX. (2020). Types & Methods of Matchmoving – Matchmove Company. [online] Available at: https://www.visionage-vfx.com/types-methods-of-matchmoving/

3. Dobbert, T. (2005). Matchmoving : the invisible art of camera tracking. Almeda, Ca: Sybex.

4. mountcg.com. (2020). What is Matchmoving and What Does a Matchmove Artist Do? [online] Available at: https://mountcg.com/what-is-matchmoving-and-what-does-a-matchmove-artist-do/

5. Demilked. (2019). Lighting Artist Realizes People Have No Idea What His Job Means And Gives Some Amazing Examples. [online] Available at: https://www.demilked.com/lighting-artist-explains-his-job-dan-o-brien/

6. www.youtube.com. (n.d.). Why Lighting Animated Movies Is So Complicated | Movies Insider. [online] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcT0w8jEESw

Runner

Runners are an entry level job in VFX industry. They are given the opportunity to access the industry as they works as assistants in multitude aspects. For instance, beside, organising meetings and schedules, they have to clean and tidy throughout the studio and plan the re-stocking for office space as well. Also, catering all staff and client needs and providing ad-hoc service are the daily job task of runners.

Occasionally, runners are permitted to access to equipment for training by mentor to help them develop their career. It will be a benefit for runners to obtain an early consideration for internal vacancies, if they perform themselves as a competitive employee.

See the description of a runner working at The Mill for details as below:

A day in the life of a Runner @ The Mill
Written by ACCESS VFX June 17, 2019 :

https://www.accessvfx.org/blog/a-day-in-the-life-of-a-runner-the-mill

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Prep Artist

Prep artists are also an entry level job in VFX industry. Their main job task is to use VFX software to clean plates, which means they clean up footage by removing unwanted items, such as mocap people tracking markers, wire and rig removal of the frame.

Prep artists work closely with compositors to help them integrate all elements of an image, including CG and live action, to create film visual effects shots. They clean up the backgrounds of live action-footage ready for the effects to be layered onto it by the compositor.

The job requirements mainly included their skill of using Nuke and Photoshop. In addition, conscientious attitude to work with pixel-perfect output is also crucial.

See the job recruitment of a prep artists at MPC for details as below:

Prep Artist
Job Recruitment by Technicolor :

www.jobs.smartrecruiters.com/Technicolor/743999710075152-prep-artist

And here is example of an prep artist showreel :

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Roto Artist

Roto artists are also classified as an entry level job in VFX industry. They will need to work on the areas of live action frames that create silhouette, also named as matte, to extract that object for another background in scene. They also have to matches motion blur frame by frame or using 2D trackers or Planar tracking methods as well. In this way, CG can be combined accurately with the live-action after rotoscoping.

The job requirements mainly included their skill of using Nuke, Mocha and Silhouette. Moreover, this position not only asks for working meticulously , but also high demand in patients and quick implementation within limited time provided.

See example of a roto artist showreel as below:

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Reference:

1.ScreenSkills (n.d.). Careers in VFX. [online] ScreenSkills. Available at: https://www.screenskills.com/job-profiles/browse/visual-effects-vfx/

2.UK Screen Alliance. (n.d.). The UK’s VFX Industry: In Profile. [online] Available at: https://www.ukscreenalliance.co.uk/subpages/the-uks-vfx-industry-in-profile/

3.Okun, J.A. (2015). The VES handbook of visual effects : industry standard VFX practices and procedures. Oxford: Focal.

4.www.accessvfx.org. (n.d.). Careers. [online] Available at: https://www.accessvfx.org/careers