Newbie question about compositing/vfx career?

[probeman]

Dear all,

I'm interested in entering the vfx field. I'm 23, and I'm planning to go back to school, most likley School of Visual arts in NYC. I have some basic questions about the typical career work day, etc.. Here goes,

1) Does a compositor, i.e. flame/combustion artist, shake artist, actually do alot of the actual 'effects', (like particles, unique effects) etc.. and solve problems creativly, or is it just integrating live action w/ CG? Just integrating things together sounds boring, or does the compositor actually create the effects such as a wall of fire, or various effects animation?

2) What is the career like, is it fun, boring, daily grind? Do you really have to sit in a dark room all day? What are the typical tasks day to day?

3) For example, on a commerical, are the cool effects mainly done by compositors or some other position? I'm basically looking for the position that creates those unique effects.

4) What positions can compositors generally move up to? is TD or vfx supervisor something that one can step up to?

5) Is effects animator a seperate position in many places or does the compositor take their role sometimes?

6) Do compositors have much creative freedom to fashion the look of the effect? In a commerical, for example? Do they have freedom to come up with creative solutions to the effect rquired?

Thanks all,
Alan

[rtdzign]

Nobody answered your questions, because things are done differently at different studios.

1)
Effects usually created by computer scientists, animators or pyrotechnicians, maybe a combination of all of them, depending on the effect. Not Compositors.
An example is the Perfect Storm, ILM had computer scientists create a program to model waves using math i can't begin to understand.
While holgraphic interfaces like in Final Fantasy where done by 3d Animators.
Things like flames can be created in many different ways, either cg or a pyrotechnics.

The explosion for the matrix truck scene was no doubt a combination of 3d animators and computer engineers.

So the effects created depends on what it is and what techniques and skills are needed for those effects.

Compositors(Compers) just usually put things together but they also have to match things like lighting, fake shadows, color correcting, reflections and have to know many other things. Usually they don't create those things.

Maybe the closest a compositor got to creating effects was that scene in Lord of the Rings Two Towers when Frodo fell in that marsh with dead ghost people in it. Not sure if that was done in compositing though.

2)really really depends where you go and what responsibilities your job has. One place could be a sweat shop while another could be like disneyland. One thing is for sure though, you will be working very hard to meet your deadlines.

3)??? Try buying or looking for an issue of Cinefex. You will see what kind of work goes to Different Effects. Usually Computer Scientists consulting with Physicists and Engineers do those effects.

4)It really depends on what the Compositors Know how to do and if they qualify for an different role. There are many different types of TD's specializing in different areas, but they typically know how to get things to work. A vfx supervisor must know how to manage everything and plan how a shot will be created.

5)Usually at larger places you are assigned to a department and stick to your role, the pipeline runs smoothly that way. Smaller studios tend to have more jacks of all trades.

6)Compositors usually try to make things look realistic and match things up, such as matching color and shadows. It is more technical than creative.

So compositors just integrate things together. Hope that helps

[sxr66]

I'll try and answer some of your questions about compositing.

1. Usually the effects animators do the particles effects. However, many times compositors have to sweeten these effects up quite a bit. It's VERY creative work. Many times you have to use previous footage and try to get a piece of it to work. Lots of tracking, color, and timing issues to be resolved. I've created splashes, snowballs, debris, and fire out of several elements combined. It's very much a team effort.

2. Like most careers it can be fun one day and hard the next. It really depends on where you work. I have my own cube so I can turn on as much light as I would like. Tasks vary depending on what show and what stage a shot is at. You might have to spend a lot of time fixing and creating background plates, maybe doing some lighting, and other times you are intergrating a cg element.

3. Again most of these effects are done by effects animators or tds. However, be aware that you will most likely only be doing the effect. Your final outcome will be a rgba image against black. It's the compositor who puts it into the shot and makes it look pretty. There are some effects that are done by the compositor. It depends on what the client is looking for.

4. A td is not "above" a compositor, it's a different position, like an animator. Compositors can become leads, digital supervisors, and visual effects supervisors. Pretty much open to any of the top positions.

5. At a smaller house many times you can do several jobs. In fact, it's usually encourage. This is not true at the bigger houses. The work is at such a large scope that they have to break things down to keep everything running smoothly.

6. Yes. Compositors are generally very involved in the development of a shot. Many times the vfx sups will ask to see if the compositors can come up with a solution before having 3d do it. Of course, this all depends on the client. Sometimes clients have a very specific look in mind and you don't have much leeway.

   I hope this answered some of your questions. Good luck!

   -Ashes