Professional and Industry Practice
INDUSTRY

The role I would like to do

I would like to work with compositing because I like to combine different pictures, assets and matte painting to make it appear as an one united shot. I also like the idea to make a picture look realistic regarding to colour, light, composition and aspect.

What does a compositor do?

Compositors create the final image of a frame, shot or VFX sequence. They take all the different digital materials used (assets), such as computer-generated (CG) images, live action footage and matte paintings, and combine them to appear as one cohesive image and shot.

Compositors consider visual aspects of a scene. Realistic lighting is a key one of these. Anything caused by light hitting a lens is a compositor’s responsibility. They relight in order to improve the look of the image.

Compositors do ‘chroma keying’ (also just called keying). This is where they select a specific part of an image that has a distinct colour or lighting and extract it to be used elsewhere. This method is commonly used with ‘green screen’ or ‘blue screen’ footage, where a subject has been shot in front of a singularly green or blue background, in order to be able to place the subject in a different setting or environment later, in post-production.

Compositors work as the last part of a VFX 'pipeline’ (the name given to the VFX production process). They can be employed by VFX studios or work as freelancers.

https://www.screenskills.com/job-profiles/browse/visual-effects-vfx/compositing/compositor-visual-effects-vfx/

Skills needed:

A good eye
Have a strong understanding regarding to colour, light, composition and aspect.
Knowledge of photography
Knowledge of compositing programs
Collaboration
Working to deadlines and tight schedule

There are different ways to become a compositor:

create a good showreel
a degree in VFX

Most compositor start as a runner or junior VFX artist for a VFX studio and from there work their way up. That is some opportunity to get a foot in the industry. Sometimes studios take on junior compositors too.

Get an apprenticeship
Get VFX industry skills
Network
Search for jobs

My career path ideas

What does a prep artist do?

Prep artists clean up the backgrounds of live action-footage ready for the effects to be layered onto it by the compositor. The shots they work on, known as plates, either moving or still, don’t have foreground action or players included.

Prep artists use specialist VFX software to clean plates. There are many processes used to do this cleaning. They remove any unwanted dust and scratches from the frame. They sort out dropped frames, where a camera has been unable to capture all the frames in a given time resulting in little jerks in the action. They remove any unwanted items such a boom microphones or electric pylons.

They are typically employed by VFX studios but can also operate as freelancers.

https://www.screenskills.com/job-profiles/browse/visual-effects-vfx/compositing/prep-artist/

What does a runner do?

Runners are all-purpose helpers in a VFX studio. They support any and all members in the studio and make sure that everyone has what they need. Runners do a variety of jobs. They deliver materials and messages between departments. They organise meetings and schedules. They keep the office clean and tidy and might work on reception or be responsible for locking up. They also make a lot of tea and coffee. They do whatever professional task needs doing.

A runner is an entry level position. In some studios, being a runner is a route into VFX artist roles and comes with opportunities to learn about those positions. In other studios, runners are seen as the entry point into production management. Some companies might assign runners a mentor and give them training tasks. The runner role can be a good route into the industry for someone without relevant degree education but with a good portfolio and lots of enthusiasm.

https://www.screenskills.com/job-profiles/browse/visual-effects-vfx/production-management/runner-visual-effects-vfx/