Being on my first year of HND (Higher National Diploma), I need to find out and identify what job roles I am interested in and what I actually want out of this when I leave college. Personally speaking, I am aiming to go for an apprenticeship after/or at the end of year 2 in the creative media (VFX) course.
Ever since working on my synoptic/final major project from my last academic year, I have changed my perspective on what I want to do after I'm completely finished with college. On the likelihood of me getting into one of the big 4 media industries (Animation, Film/TV, Games and VFX), I will most likely either join the VFX or game industry.
Personal reflection, skills and who I am:
If I were to give a critique concise opinion about myself, what my skills are and who I am would be difficult but I will try to sum myself up in 2 paragraphs worth: I've been in media courses for about 3 years now and am currently working on an HND creative media course. My skills would have to be: - Modelling
- Hard work ethic
- Optimism
- Good communication
- Open mindset
- Knowledge revolving around games, filming and media.
Right now I am trying to find a place for myself in the industry by having an open mindset of the skills I currently have. Some things I need to improve on before working in the creative media industries would have to be taking critical, objective feedback before using a 'fight and flight' response or taking feedback personally. Show more passion by mentioned who your favourite directors are, favourite movies, favourite effects etc. Try and be more vocal and end up giving more ideas that could actually work with projects.
With that out of the way, I will be going over job roles I want to aim for and what I'm aspired towards. I personally aspire towards art, story, presentation.
There are certain job roles I want to aim for. That being said, I need the skills, qualifications, knowledge of the role and knowing what to do in that specific job role.
These are the job roles I'm interested in or aspired towards: - Composition Artist
What is their role? Comp artists create the composition of the moving image, CGI and digital matte paintings are all blended into the live-action scenes and make it all look picture-perfect. Comp artists usually work around the post-production stage of the VFX process and sometimes they create posters to promote their media material for a project.
What skills would it take to get into this role?
Why do I want this job?
Personally speaking, I enjoy creating compositions (previous comp works were the composition exercises and matte paintings) and I love art.
Furthermore, the realism that is used from the compositions to blend alongside with in-camera composition is very intriguing, cool and interesting.
- Concept Artist
What is their role? Concept artists create the concepts and the fundamentals of concept art. This can range from environments, creatures and props (weapons, clothes) etc. Any concept that is created is always the first thing that pops into a mind and presents their concepts to the directors, producers and the art groups.
Why do I want this job?
Concept art is always interesting and fascinating to me, you get to the see the colour schemes, character builds, proportions, how they were made, the bone structure, the perspectives of environments and buildings etc. Concept art also can show off scrapped versions to final and definitive versions of the art that made it into the cut of the final piece of media.
How can I get there?
Start by working on sketches, create or trace buildings or objects freehand
- Modelling Artist
What is their role? These artists are experts in 3D modelling and can produce some astounding models, geometry for industry standards which can be placed in either VFX (usually goes along with live-action), Games and Animation project.
Why do I want this job?
If I had something to say I was good at over the last 2-3 years of working in the Next Gen course it would have to be 3D modelling. I have fun producing 3D models and it's something I feel I specialised at when I compare modelling to programming for example.
How can I get there?
Start by improving my modelling techniques and keep the consistency and knowledge of modelling in Maya. I've had a few experiences with Substance painter so I am familiar with substance though the last time I used Substance painter was nearly a year ago.
- Environment Artist
What is their role? Environment artist creates and produces the environments surrounding the composition for VFX. They digitally recreate the scene that every other VFX artists will use. They are 3D generalists that use modelling, texturing and photo manipulation to re-produce the environments taking place for where the action takes in.
Why do I want this job?
Since being in the NextGen course for the last 2 years and another 2 years to go. I enjoy modelling and creating assets. 3D modelling is one of the most frequent and used techniques I have done during the last 2 years. I've created about roughly 10 models overall and another asset is being made in progress.
How can I get there?
First of all, I feel that taking photos consistently with different settings and techniques can help me out, drawing environments from time to time can help hone these skills. From my past 2 previous years, I have done sketches of environments and produced two concept arts one from my first year and the other from my second year which was an ISIW (Images Sounds Independent Worlds project)
Secondly, to understand the environments observing the environments will help. There are references out there to help you out. References can range from art books to movies for example.
- Runner
What is their role? Being a runner is the entry-level position into the VFX industry, runners often stay in their position for 6-12 months. The VFX industry doesn't bring in and use runners as frequent as they used to (VFX Festival 2019 - Careers Panel) Runners are open to the job roles and ideally, should not limit their minds or creativity.
Why do I want this job?
Being a runner can help me open my mind and actually may find something else I like rather than the jobs I'm seeking for. This sort of mindset has changed me in the past where when I was in level 3 Next Gen, I changed my perspective onto games and shafted 50% of the focus to VFX. That means I either want to join the games or VFX industry. Why this changed my mindset was for two reasons: - The work experience with Real Media Now for a game prototype - My Synoptic/Final Major Project from the second year of level 3 Next Gen. My project was a VFX project though due to pandemic reasons, it was moreover a 3D animation showreel if anything to go by.
How can I get there? Getting the job will need me to have the optimism, open, hard-working and smart mindset. Having a runner job is like finding the different pathways to get to certain job roles.
I will need to seize the opportunity to find a runners job by looking through LinkedIn, Indeed and possibly go to conventions and events where VFX companies are looking for runners.
All of these jobs happen to have the necessity and importance of communication and hard work ethics towards the job. Being passionate about the job can go a long way and especially when you're gaining new friends and relationships along the way.
Overall I feel that there is plenty of room for me to improve and hopefully by the end of year 2 HND Creative Media (VFX) I get an apprenticeship by the end of my college years from Nescot. By the time I finish my 2nd year, my skills and techniques should be on the standard level of degree to get me into the VFX or game industries. Whilst having the experience where I'm at now I still need the time I have left to improve upon those skills before joining the VFX industry.
By the end of this decade, I will make sure and do my utmost to join a professional or well known VFX or game company and work my way throughout this decade to get where I want to be with one of the chosen job roles.