I have looked at various jobs and built up an idea on what production companies look for in the VFX/ Motion Graphics position they are holding. I have also looked at the field research I have done for the interview I had with Phillip Ray Tommy.
Client Portfolio requirement -
image manipulation using programs such as Photoshop (including ‘before and after’ images)
Compositing work that looks effective
Storyboarding using Adobe Illustrator
Colour scripting (Colour grading, colour correction for visual impact and understanding of colour connotation)
Design and/or motion graphics work and be creative
I have taken pictures of a car park which I find really useful as I like the lighting and shading. I have also deliberately taken the pictures at night time as it is very effective.
From all the pictures I have taken, I have finally decided to choose the last which is this one in particular.
This picture is effective as it has some dark shades as well as lighting so the character can blend in the environment. I like how the perspective going to the end of the car park makes the image look suitable for the character I have. I may enhance the picture lighting by editing it on Adobe Photoshop.
This is the edit software I have been using which is photo Shop. I have been adjusting the colour and shading of the picture.
This is the final photo shop edit I have done. You can see that I have made it gloomy and used cold colours to make the atmosphere depressing for my character.
What I found on VFX Artists
I have researched on couple of VFX Artists. Here are the following -
Ricardo Alves:
VFX Artist with vast experience
Studied at Instituto das artes e da Imagem in Portugal 2010-2013
- Godzilla: King of Monsters
- The Lion King
- Star Wars VIII: The Last Jedi
- Justice League
- Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
- Tim Burton: Miss Peregrine
- Star Wars: Rogue One
- Star Wars VII: The Force Awakens
- 007: Spectre
ESA FILMS I found one job which is a Freelancing one which is a Motion Graphics Artist. They are looking for a talented motion graphics artist who is able to create a (lower third) motion graphics with newspaper clippings.
Required Skills:
• At least 1 years Motion Graphics Experience
• After Effects
• Other motion graphics/animation software
• Adobe premiere or final cut pro
Job Type: 1 day contract (with the option to use you for future contracts)
Start Date: Friday 17th November
Location: London, E8 Postcode
Daily rate: £150 – £200
I'm thinking of doing a mixture of portfolio movie clips like a show reel. It will include like VFX title cards in motion graphics and 1 or 2 short scenes which I will create. The build up to the idea will be significant.
I have looked at a few ideas on what background to use for my portfolio film. Because I used the green screen in my raw video, I can easily manipulate the back for the character I am using.
CAR PARK BACKGROUND
This image is good as the shading is dark and gives me an idea on what I want as it relates to the character body language and the dress code.
I like this one as the side angle would make my character look like he is coming from the car park door entrance.
I really like this one as it has creepy environment feeling. I can add on an special effect in this one with the camera video glitch sequence.
THE BEACH SCENE
I like how the banana bed is in this picture as well as the sun shining as it is the opposite to the car park scene
The blue sky and white sand as well as the palm tree go together
This one should be perfect for my character because of the angle of the picture and the palm trees symbolise a nice 5 star holiday
last week, I did an interview with a film maker and a director in the film industry. I asked him a few questions that will give me a good idea on what the film industry will look for as a candidate.
Name: Phil Ray Tommy
Age: 37
Occupation: Film Maker/Director/Actor
How long have u been in the industry?: 10 Years
What is the Ideal candidate for the job?: A combination of passion/ hard worker and can do work in his/her personal time plus team work is most essential like for example if any issues would arise, they can help each other so I would like them to have good chemistry skills especially in the visual effects side of it. I would like them to have talent and conflict management skills as some times this does arise when people fall under pressure.
Is experience essential?: Experience is not essential as every one is entitled to opportunity. Although it can be ideal, but the main thing we are looking at is passion, as it can be a difference with a scene made for instance, an un-experienced Visual effects artist could possibly make a better edit than the person with experience who has little passion for his work. We have to look at Stephen Spielberg as he had no experience at all first and now look where he is now. Its all about giving a chance to someone
I know the subject was mentioned earlier but I will ask again as I might get more information regarding this. Does the candidate need team work skills?... if so, anything specific?: Well yes Team Work is very important! In Production, it is not a one man job as End result is done by team work. If there is no team work, then there is a high possibility the final piece wont function properly as everything has to be linked. As I mentioned before, if someone needs help then they can organise meetings as well to tackle the situation.
Does the candidate need to know how to use any specific software? if so, which ones?: Final cut pro could be essential or even after effects. If they don't have strong skills in them, then we can teach them how to use the software as mentioned above.
If the candidate needs to bring in a portfolio, which examples does the person need to bring in for the interviewer?: A small portfolio with good quality. Anything good in VFX with an example of high quality from anything ordinary to a major edit... Even a change of background would do.
What was the best production work u done so far since u been in the industry?: "Cane + Able" is the best I done so far as it was a learning curb for me. It shows how much of a person I am. I had problems in the process but my team managed to tackle it. its all about the team... You learn as it goes along... It Is not black and white, its all about passion and the quest for self improvement.
There are 3 people that have caught my eye. I have looked at Samuel John Joseph Walsh, Allan McKay and a man I personally know who works in Film Production.
Samuel John Joseph Walsh (Sam Walsh)
Sam Walsh was born in the North West of England
He studied BA Hons Animation and graduated in 2005
He got his Masters in 2012 at "The National Film and Television School
He specialises in Animation, General TD and Visual Effects
His recent work with Visual Effects was with "White Horse Films". He gave support to the director for visualisation and setup solutions for a sequence. It is supposed to contain a large number of add on extras including a 3D Model of the sequence using "CAD". At the end of it all he completed a number of shots as a digital Compositor.
(Samuel John Joseph Walsh (2016) , [Visual Effects Supervisor 2016] [Accessed 06 December 2016] available at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjjwalsh)
Allan McKay:
Born on 01/05/1982 in Gold Coast Australia (Crikey mate).
He is known for his VFX films such as "The equalizer 2014", "Star Trek into Darkness" and "Metallica through the Never".
He has his own Academy where he teaches people VFX.
