FX ARTIST
3D Special Effects also known as FX used in films and television, is the making of 3D elements through CGI to add more realistic elements to the scene. Special effects are usually based on how to create smoke fields, pyrotechnics, destruction, particle effects, and many other elements. The most used software for these effects is Houdini, Maya, Blender, etc.
FX Artist or FX TD is an artist who has a deep understanding of dynamics, 3D effects, as well as compositing. The FX artist ensures that the FX is thoroughly created while considering the physical and natural physics while creating CGI. Having good knowledge of particles, dynamics, fluids, etc., is a must for an FX Artist. In this role, the artist also has to create an effects library by doing various types of research and dev. for the production.
I started in the industry as an FX Artist a year ago while working with Technicolor India Pvt. Ltd. While in Technicolor, I worked on series such as The Witcher, where I created effects such as Pyro as well as Lightning. Along with this, there were other projects where I created Fluid simulation, ripples, and smoke effects. The field of FX is vast and I would want to learn more and more about it so that my skills would be boosted.
I want to pursue this field in the future and polish my skills to the level that we see in modern-day cinema. ‘The Transformer: The Revenge of The Fallen’ (2009) was a movie which had surprised me with the VFX field and made me want to get into the field of Special Effects Artist. While at it practicing this role will give me an immense boost to my skills of FX and would reflect immensely on my career as well as my goal of becoming an FX TD.
Fitzgerald, R. (2022) What does an FX artist do?: Job role, salary & FX tips: CG Spectrum, What Does An FX Artist Do? | Job Role, Salary & FX Tips | CG Spectrum. CG Spectrum. Available at: https://www.cgspectrum.com/blog/what-does-an-fx-artist-do.
MODELLING ARTIST
Modeling plays a special part in the field of VFX. Modeling is a part of Pre–production as well as Production. It is the backbone of the VFX field as all the concepts are interlinked along with it. Modeling is thoroughly used for creating terrains, 3D objects such as cars, concept arts, swords, tablets, etc., and architectural designs. Modeling art is a very wide field that is only limited to your imagination. This is why Modeling is the base of all the 3D concepts in the field.
Modeling artists produce 3D art as per the references or briefs given by the concept artists. Usually, 3D modelers require an eye for detail, where they need to take natural concepts into mind. This skill is the most important as they have to create each model with precision as well as proper proportions. When a modeling artist chooses to only create a specific type of modeling concept for example Characters, they are referred to as a character modeling artist.
I would also want to pursue this field as it is an extremely versatile field. The 3D models are not only restricted to films and television but also used in games and design as well as Virtual reality. Due to its enormous variety of capabilities, where an artist can build almost every design that a person can see or think of, makes me want to learn in detail about the field and pursue the career of modeling artist.
Production Manager
The production manager is a role in the VFX Industry where the role is to carry on tasks as per the decisions made by a Visual Effects Producer. Looking after the budget as well as creating a proper and detailed schedule for various scenes/shots for the project is the work of the production manager.
Simultaneously, they participate in hiring artists, and casts, and drafting contracts. They are in touch with the VFX artists and technical directors to look up their work’s progress and ensure the given tasks are completed before the deadlines. The production manager makes sure to link the work of artists to the VFX Producer while taking note of the changes to be made and assigning new tasks to them (if needed).
At first, the role of Production manager was unknown to me. But after working for Technicolor India Pvt. Ltd. As an FX artist, I learned how the VFX field works and how crucial the role of the Production Manager is. I was impressed by how the production managers ensure that the manufacturing process runs reliably and efficiently. Taking into consideration how this role has to think about the management of work, and dealing with production targets that are to be achieved, makes me want to explore more about the field.
VFX Production manager Spin VFX. Available at: https://www.spinvfx.com/vfx-production-manager/