WEEK 6
1.FX technical director
Visual Effects Technical Directors (FX TD) work on set to ensure that elements such as explosions and action sequences work within the parameters of the visual effects required from the footage. They assist the director in capturing a scene that will work most effectively for the VFX team and then lead the team through the post-production process.
The FX TD will often write the code with which the VFX artists create the effects, problem-solving solutions particular to the production. They work closely with the VFX Supervisor, ensuring seamless rendering of effects for the screen. The FX Technical Director works under the supervision of the FX Supervisor to create realistic particle and fluid effects for live-action film and television. They will often work on set to ensure the footage is filmed in the best way for special effects to be inserted during the post production process. These include fire, smoke, moving water, air debris, snow, clouds, steam, etc. As well as overseeing the completion of the FX sequences, the FX Technical director will create code for customized tools required for the production.
Responsibilities of an FX Technical Director may include
Liaising with the FX Supervisor, director, cinematographer, gaffer on the best filming conditions for the FX sequences requiring particle and fluid effects
Researching the look of the effects based on the briefing from the filmmakers according to the script
Maintaining a visual consistency throughout all the effects
Advising on set regarding what needs to be captured in-camera for the effects to work
Supervising effects artist team, keeping them on schedule and within budget
Writing code for custom software to deal with complex effects
Maintaining technical documentation
Seamlessly integrating special effects into live action footage
Problem solving during the production and post-production processes
Dealing with computer modeling and geometry issues
Working to deliver the vision of the director
Interpreting FX supervisor’s and director’s notes and communicating them to the team
2. assistant TD
Assistant TDs help to identify and fix problems and make sure everyone in a visual effects (VFX) production pipeline has the tools they need. They have a very good understanding of how VFX pipelines work and of different VFX job roles. Their expertise also includes understanding the software used by VFX artists and the needs and limitations of different departments.Assistant TDs assist pipeline TDs and other TDs to gather information on the needs of each department. They design solutions for problems that arise and also use coding skills to create small-scale tools needed by the VFX artists. They deal with minor bug reports so that pipeline TDs to deal with bigger problems, such as rendering errors.
Assistant TDs are also responsible for data management, archiving and restoring and tracking data and converting and resizing files where needed. They help to keep the project on schedule. Along with pipeline TDs, assistant TDs will work closely with research and development teams, who design and test any new software.
What’s an assistant TD good at?
Communication: be helpful and patient and communicate well with a variety of staff at different levels to understand their needs and assist with technical issues, work well as part of a team to develop solutions, take direction from a pipeline TD and escalate issues to them when necessary
Problem-solving: think analytically to identify problems and come up with creative and efficient solutions, finding new ways to overcome obstacles and achieve a creative vision
Attention to detail: have a good eye for detail when designing tools and fixing technical issues
Knowledge of all parts of the pipeline: have a strong understanding of all jobs within the pipeline, their roles, needs, and the challenges they face
Programming and coding skills: have advanced knowledge of programming in Python and C++ with a very high level of technical ability using a variety of relevant software used across the project such as Maya, Houdini and Nuke
Who does an assistant TD work with?
Assistant TDs work under pipeline TDs as well as with staff from throughout VFX pipelines to understand their issues and find solutions. They also work closely with data input/output technicians to develop solutions to these as well as with supervisors.
3.software developer
Software developers produce the technology required for a visual effects (VFX) project. They create the systems which technical directors (TDs) can use and modify to suit the specific needs of their VFX artists. They also design new digital tools and make sure they fit into existing software systems. This enables the efficient passing of assets from one VFX process to the next.This is a research and development role, which means that it involves working out ways to improve how well digital processes works. Software developers must stay informed about software and technology relevant to their field and beyond. They find innovate ways to enable the artists within the pipeline to complete their work as fast and as well as possible
What’s a software developer good at?
Communication and teamwork: communicate well with pipeline technical directors as well as directly with a variety of staff at different levels to understand their needs and assist with technical issues, work well as part of a team to develop solutions, present a plan to and take direction from supervisors
Problem-solving: think analytically to come up with creative and efficient solutions, using the most up-to-date technology to find ways to overcome obstacles and achieve a creative vision
Programming and coding skills: have advanced knowledge of programming in Python and C++ with a very high level of technical ability using a variety of relevant software used across VFX projects, such as Maya, Houdini and Nuke
Knowledge of all parts of the pipeline: have a strong understanding of all jobs within VFX pipelines, their responsibilities and needs
Planning: create an appropriate development plan and stick to a timescale, understand how to breakdown a project into tasks
Who does a software developer work with?
Software developers work most closely with technical directors throughout the VFX pipeline.
4.pipeline technical director
Pipeline TDs make sure a VFX project runs smoothly by identifying and fixing problems as they arise. They make sure each department has the software tools that they need to complete their part of the project to the best standard possible. They have a very good understanding of how VFX production pipelines work and the roles within them.
They communicate with VFX artists across the team to understand their needs. They then put things in place to ensure the project runs smoothly and the artists’ needs are met. If the project isn’t running smoothly, they identify what kind of tools need to be developed to fix this. Issues that arise might be technical ones to do with 3D art, or productivity issues. Their job involves writing or modifying code to solve problems. They also provide face-to-face technical assistance. Pipeline TDs will work closely with research and development teams, who design and test any new software
What’s a pipeline TD good at?
Communication: communicate well with a variety of staff at different levels to understand their needs and assist with technical issues, work well as part of a team to develop solutions and take direction from a VFX supervisor
Problem-solving: think analytically to identify problems and come up with creative and efficient solutions, find new ways to overcome obstacles and achieve a creative vision
Knowledge of all parts of the pipeline: have a good understanding of the jobs within the pipeline, their roles, needs and the challenges that they face
Programming and coding skills: have advanced knowledge of programming in Python and C++ with a very high level of technical ability using a variety of relevant software used across the project such as Maya, Houdini and Nuke
Helping others: offer guidance to more junior members of the pipeline team and give face-to-face technical assistance to staff across departments, maintain a positive attitude
Who does a pipeline TD work with?
Pipeline TDs communicate with staff throughout all the departments to understand their needs and problems. They work closely with software developers to develop solutions to these as well as different kinds of supervisors.