week 6

FX TD (Effects technical director)

Effects technical directors (FX TDs) create physics-based digital effects, such as explosions, smoke and water, that the animation artists can use in their shots and sequences. They make sure the effects look believable and also consistent with the style of the animation so that they blend seamlessly with the other art assets.

The role is both artistic and technical and so is ideal for problem-solvers with a good eye. FX TDs aim to meet the director’s vision, in terms of digital FX, with the resources available to them.

FX TDs work for animation companies or studios.

  • Problem-solving: think analytically to identify problems and come up with creative and efficient solutions, find ways to overcome obstacles and deliver the project
  • Support: offer guidance to more junior artists, give face-to-face technical help to all animation and lighting artists, communicate well, have a positive attitude
  • Knowledge of all parts of animation pipelines: have a strong understanding of all jobs within a pipeline, what these involve, the needs and challenges of the roles
  • Knowledge of 3D animation programs: be adept at using relevant programs such as MayaHoudiniBlender, Adobe After Effects, Cinema 4D, MotionBuilder, Nuke, RenderMan and 3ds Max
  • Programming and coding skills: have advanced knowledge of programming in Python, VEX and C++ with a very high level of technical ability

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. 

References

https://www.screenskills.com/job-profiles/browse/animation/production/effects-technical-director-fx-td-animation/

https://www.therookies.co/entries/9157

https://www.cgspectrum.com/career-pathways/fx-technical-director

TD (Assistant technical director)

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.

  • 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

Programming experience, preferably in Python, C++, MEL, and/or java
Undergraduate or Graduate degree, ideally in a technical field
Good knowledge of CG software packages such as Maya, Houdini, Nuke
Excellent problem-solving and interpersonal skills
Familiarity with relational databases and/or SQL a plus
Good understanding Bash/cshell/Linux
Knowledge of render queuing software a plus
Experience in code-sharing, revision control
Experience writing or working with shaders for vray, Renderman, Mantra, Mental Ray or other production renderers an asset
Knowledge of Shotgun or asset management systems a plus

References

https://www.screenskills.com/job-profiles/browse/visual-effects-vfx/technical/assistant-technical-director-td/

https://www.instituteforapprenticeships.org/apprenticeship-standards/assistant-technical-director-visual-effects-v1-0

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.

  • 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

References

https://www.screenskills.com/job-profiles/browse/visual-effects-vfx/technical/software-developer/

https://uk.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/how-to-become-a-vfx-artist

Pipeline TD (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.

  • 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

Must Have

• Previous experience in Visual Effects or related industry

• Excellent Python, Maya and Linux skills

• Solid understanding of the Visual Effects pipeline

• Experience in developing tools for DCC packages such as Maya, Houdini or Nuke

Reference

https://www.screenskills.com/job-profiles/browse/visual-effects-vfx/technical/pipeline-technical-director-td/

https://www.ftrack.com/en/2021/09/what-is-a-pipeline-td.html

https://jobs.jobvite.com/double-negative-visual-effects/job/oLLL5fw6

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