P.I.P INDUSTRY
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In this module we will learn to use creative digital marketing techniques to promote ourselves as Visual Effects artists. We will explore tools for promoting identities and enabling networking opportunities across multiple platforms and domains.
During our first P.I.P Industry session we got acquainted with LinkedIn, how it works and it's many functions. Our first task was to create, or in my case; update our LinkedIn profile, and improve the site with updated information and skills. We will integrate our LinkedIn profiles with the next part of our project, which is to find a job within the field, apply for it, and create a mock interview cover letter.
WEEK 1
To become a Matte Painter I will have to be good at:
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Knowledge of composition, colour, perspective, depth and lighting
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Good communication skills
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Knowledge of a variety of software, such as Zbrush, Apple Shake and Maya
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Able to work with a team of people as well as individually
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Motivation and willingness to perfect all aspects of your craft
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Patience and flexibility
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Knowledge of both traditional art and digital art
Matte painters usually start with an entry- level position before moving up to the role of Matte Painter. Examples of entry level roles:
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Concept Artist
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Roto Artist
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Prep Artist
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Environment Artist
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Runner
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There were no role for Matte Painters on ScreenSkills, that is because the work of a matte painter is getting merged with the work of a compositor. For this assignment, I will therefore set my dream role as: Compositor.
To become a Compositor I will have to be good at:
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A good eye: recognise what makes an image appear realistic in terms of light, colour, composition and perspective
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Knowledge of photography: understand cameras, cinematography and how films are made
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Knowledge of compositing programs: be adept at using relevant programs such as After Effects, Blackmagic Fusion, Houdini, Maya, Nuke and Photoshop
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Collaboration: be able to work with other VFX artists, use each other’s resources effectively and efficiently
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Working to deadlines: work within given time frames, be able to complete work under pressure
To become a Compositor, I will have to work my way up the ladder by not applying directly for the compositor job, I will however, apply for the entry level roles instead to get a foot in the door.
The role I would apply for
​To become a Prep Artist I will have to be good at:
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Art: be skilled at drawing and painting using a graphics tablet, have a high level of accuracy with the pen or stylus
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A keen eye: recognise when and where images need to be cleaned, even in the minutest detail, make your work invisible
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Patience: be methodical and thorough
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Knowledge of VFX programs: be adept at using relevant programs such as Maya, Photoshop and, particularly, Nuke
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Organisation: work well with strict deadlines, be able to complete work under pressure
Mock Interview Cover Letter
Email: rakelalme@live.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rakelalme/
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25 February 2023
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Florian Stephens
UWL VFX Company
London,
W5 5RF
0208 231 2468
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RE: Prep Artist, Job Application, 25.02.2023.
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Dear Mr Stephens,
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My name is Rakel Pedersen Alme and I am writing to you regarding your Junior Compositor/Prep Artist role. I am currently in my final year studying BSc (Hons) in Visual Effects at the University of West London. I have followed the work of UWL VFX Company for several years, and it would be a privilege to contribute to its growth and future success working in the company. I believe that my passion, developed abilities, enthusiasm and strong commitment make me an ideal fit to join your team as the next junior compositor.
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Throughout this course, I have acquired a wide range of skills and used a variety of programs. The developed skills includes: digital matte painting, compositing, matchmoving, keying and cleanup. In addition, I am familiar in the following softwares: Nuke, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe After Effects, Maya, Arnold and Zbrush.
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My time at Kristiania Professional College taught me the ability to sculpt, rig and animate a character, as well as UV-mapping and texturing it. I have good knowledge of using Cinema 4D, Bleder, Adobe Creative Cloud, Maxon Redshift, Red Giant and Substance Painter.
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I have a good eye for details and a strong work ethic. My passion for digital drawing has taught me patience and to aim for realism, as well as being flexible to try new softwares and techniques. My previous experience working in customer service. During my time working in customer service, I learned how to keep calm under pressure, patience and how to multitask as well as communicate. It is my strong belief that I would be a valuable asset to your organization, with my wide set of skills. I am looking forward to hearing from you and the opportunity to work and grow in your company.
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Yours sincerely,
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Rakel Pedersen Alme
SHOWREEL - 2023
INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS
JOAKIM FLÅTEN - Lead Digital Matte Painter at DNEG
CARL EDLUND - VFX Director at Mattescape Studios
PAU MINGUELL - Digital Matte Painter at BlueBolt
CHARLES E J DOWNMAN - Matte Painter at RISE
ADRIEN ZEPPIERI - Lead Matte Painter at Framestore
MELISSA YUNG-HOK - Senior Digital Matte Painter at Misc Studios
These are the people I contacted:
Possible questions to ask:
1. What inspired you to go into VFX? And what excites you about it?
2. Can you describe your career path? How did you get your first job in VFX?
3. Could you briefly describe your typical working day?
4. What software’s do you use as a matte painter?
5. How long do you get to work on a matte painting piece?
6. What was your favorite project you worked on and why?
7. Do you have any advice for a student, like myself, who are trying to break into the VFX industry?
I contacted six industry professionals over LinkedIn. Everyone of them were either digital matte painter, matte painter supervisor combined with some other position, or lead digital matte painter for their company,
The People That Answered Were:
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Adrien Zeppieri - Lead Mattepainter / Concept Artist at Framestore
LinkedIn:
IMDB:
Pau Minguell - Digital Matte Painter / Environment Artist at Bluebolt
LinkedIn:
IMDB:
Artstation:
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Joakim Flåten - Lead Digital Matte Painter / Environment Supervisor at DNEG
LinkedIn:
IMDB:
Artstation:
The questions above are the ones I asked the three industry professionals. I did not include every question in the Power Point presentation due to some long answers. The questions I included are the ones with interesting replies or the ones I thought would be most important or/and the ones that enlightened me on the subject.
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Further below, you will see screenshots of the chats between me and the industry professionals.
Adrien replied to my message on LinkedIn the same evening I sent my introduction. He was more than happy, encouraging and excited to reply to my questions. He was also the one with the longest, thorough and well thought-out replies. We were pretty formal in the beginning, but the more I got to know him I felt like we developed a connection. At the end we were joking and he could write freely.
I had the longest chat with Pau. He replied merely hours after I contacted him, and gave me his answers already the morning after. He answered short and thoroughly, and afterward he sent me the link to his showreel which was password protected, and gave me tips to how to make a strong and good showreel.
Joakim is a fellow Norwegian and was excited to hear I was interested in the field. We chatted a bit in Norwegian but he was more than happy to answer the questions in English. He was quite busy with a deadline the following week I contacted him, so it took a couple of days before he sent me the answers, but he was nice and supportive of my future.
I was able to connect with the professionals after our chat, and was lucky enough that they approved my request :)
Digital Matte Painter Job Description
A digital matte painter develop paintings of imaginary worlds, landscapes, & sets. Create establishing shots that help visualize the scene; paintings that convey mood, atmosphere and depth that support specific scenes from the story. Produce concept and matte paintings in conjunction with the Production Designer and Director’s vision.
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Responsibilities:
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Create the necessary support or assets for the projection of images
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Collaborate with the Layout Department in order to determine the matte painting requirements and locations
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Create matte paintings for sometimes complex camera-mapping
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Obtain a level of realism based on the art direction of the project
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Ability to adapt to the show’s artistic style
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Maintain the schedule and quotas given by the Production Coordinator
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Perform tasks and corrections given by the Supervisor and Director by demonstrating analytical skill and proactivity
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Organize the workload and prepare the presentation elements for validations
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Communicate and search for solutions and information when necessary
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Maintain a good team dynamic
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Essential Skills:
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Knowledge of composition, colour, perspective, depth and lighting
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Good communication skills
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Knowledge of a variety of software, such as Zbrush, Apple Shake and Maya
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Able to work with a team of people as well as individually
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Motivation and willingness to perfect all aspects of your craft
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Patience and flexibility
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Knowledge of both traditional art and digital art
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Qualifications :
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College diploma or equivalent in Visual Effects/3D Animation
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At least three (3) years of experience working as a matte painting artist in film production/animated series or in visual effects
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Exceptional knowledge of Nuke and basic principles of 3D texture projections in Maya
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Expert knowledge of Adobe Photoshop is essential
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A good understanding and application of perspective in the creation of the 2.5D and 3D digital environments
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Ability to take artistic and technical direction as well as work well within a team environment and in a leadership role
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