Interested in a simple Skills Scan and Learning Progress Tracker tool for the VFX supervisor standard?
Knowledge
K1: Developments across the creative and cultural industry and the potential impact on VFX supervision both now and in the future
K2: The VFX processes, tools and workflows that could be used to deliver end-to-end production. How to scope the limitations or risks of using particular processes, tools and workflows e.g. motion capture versus key frame animation, using shot elements versus CG elements or matte painting versus 3D environment
K3: The implications that different types of production requirements have on production resources and business priorities eg. fully Computer Generated (CG), live-action integration, short-form, long-form
K4: The effect that different types of brief have on the strategy to be adopted for production planning and resourcing: visual, moving image, verbal and written
K5: : How to reformulate and communicate modified technical concepts and present in a manner appropriate to the audience
K6: How own role fits within and supports the strategic production and organisational aims and objectives
K7: The value of VFX content and confidentiality to the business and its customers, why it is important for your team to maintain data security, and the legal and regulatory requirements which apply to VFX assets such as copyright and intellectual property rights
K8: The implications of your decisions on the production budgets and resources with which you are involved, and how these impact on own organisation’s business operations and financial and commercial constraints
K9: The financial and creative requirements that will influence the adoption of blue/green screens, motion control or other specialist equipment throughout the production
K10: The hierarchy and interactions of each discipline within the VFX pipeline, the time required to complete individual tasks, and the interdependencies between departments and tasks
K11: The critical decision making points throughout the production process from pre-production to post-production
K12: How to influence the use of tools and methodologies for VFX projects such as Shotgun, Ftrack, RV
K13: The diverse needs and how to manage the expectations of clients, and build strong working relationships and trust with different stakeholders
K14: The approaches to vendor and internal colleague (including global sites) relationship management including negotiating, influencing and effective networking
K15: How technical specifications such as Colourspace, film and TV formats (HDTV, UHD, Academy) inform the assessment and selection of the most suitable VFX workflows and delivery formats to be used, and the impact this might have on the methodological approach to a production
K16: The limitations of commonly used tools and work-arounds and the factors to consider when providing solutions to the wider team or client
K17: How to supervise a team and build engaged, motivated and high performance, agile and collaborative cultures
K18: How to deliver feedback, and manage conflict, within a production environment to lead continuous improvement and develop a no blame culture
K19: How to interrogate a complex client profile and production requirements and develop them into a concept
K20: The on-set etiquette, environment, processes and hierarchy between departments, to enable the effective collection of VFX data
K21: The technical vocabulary used for delivery standards and technical delivery processes
K22: How to research, evaluate and influence the introduction of the latest advancements in technical VFX tools and techniques throughout the business and sector
K23: : How to Interpret and articulate the technical specifications, client requirements, organisational and industry standards for quality and delivery of VFX assets
K24: How to adapt communication techniques to meet diverse audiences, and to influence team members and clients to meet production requirements
K25: The principles of photogrammetry, texture reference and scanning
K26: The principles of motion picture photography and the film making process including lenses, composition, light, colour, perspective and scale
Skills
S1: Interrogate and contextualise a brief using creative and cultural references, developing a concept and gaining consensus on the strategy for delivery
S2: Analyse interacting factors and translate a creative brief into a departmental workflow, addressing conflicting or unclear requirements within the brief
S3: Assess, develop and/or select the appropriate methodology and technical resources required to deliver the brief
S4: Apply complex mathematics to advance VFX developments, including the application of vector mathematics, and applied mathematics in simulations
S5: Collaborate with and influence the production team to plan and implement a project schedule and budget
S6: Select and supervise the adoption of appropriate project management tools, techniques and methodology to plan the project
S7: Lead the delivery of project plans, take account of competing priorities and develop contingencies. Translate the creative brief into practical tasks that can be understood by individual artists
S8: Communicate complex technical VFX information both verbally and in writing
S9: Establish and manage complex relationships with multiple colleagues, customers, suppliers and professional networks in order to secure new and repeat business
S10: Develop technical and creative solutions and concepts. Manage expectations and communicates to clients and stakeholders. Adapt processes, methodology, tools and workflows to meet production requirements
S11: Critically evaluate the financial and creative requirements when deciding on and authorising the use of, technical resources such as blue/green screens, motion control or other specialist equipment
S12: Manage competing priorities, mulitple stakeholders or projects simultaneously without impact on relationships or deliverables
S13: Lead the dailies "review process", giving critical, balanced and constructive feedback on a regular basis to keep the work on track and achieve a positive result
S14: Build and manage a diverse and inclusive team, motivating the team even if the commercial or creative benefits of the project may not be obvious
S15: Delegate and assign tasks, set goals and accountabilities and provide clear guidance in a fair and objective manner
S16: Mentor artists in the team to increase creative, leadership and technical skills
S17: Be accountable in pre-production meetings, on-set and during plate, scan, reference and/or capture shoots for; enabling the collection of data, such as on-set VFX data, High Dynamic Range (HDR), Standard Dynamic Range (SDR) and advising, supervising and gathering information on all VFX aspects
S18: Provide clear context and reasoning for strategic decision making and when offering advice
S19: Monitor the project plan, checking the VFX technical solution in development is not deviating from production requirements
S20: Demonstrate the application of new ways of thinking, ensuring you are at the cutting edge of creativity in the industry by leading the way and pushing boundaries on technical innovation
S21: Assess work and evaluate if quality standards are met and how to resolve this if an issue is identified
S22: Research and where required, develop new tools, techniques and methods to optimise workflows
S23: Analyse and identify workflow operation and problems arising, using programming languages such as Python or C++ and providing solutions to the problems
S24: Raises awareness of the wider application of VFX tools and technologies across the business and creative industries. Ensure that latest advancements align with the long-term strategy of the business
S25: Supervise the delivery of assets, confirming these have been delivered securely and in accordance with client and organisational requirements
S26: Be accountable for you and your team's adherence to agreed organisational policies, standards and procedures such as health & safety, confidentiality, security, asset storage, legal and regulatory requirements
S27: Apply influencing and persuading skills to personal interactions with stakeholders
Behaviours
B1: Is empathetic, builds trust and contacts, and is a good listener while still critically evaluating the information being received
B2: Creates a supportive culture, allowing others to develop, valuing initiative in other team members and recognising the variety of skills available, with an ability to motivate, listen to and adapt to other’s needs
B3: Works in a transparent and open way; making judgements free from bias and taking on responsibility as needed as to what should and should not be changed in the VFX process
B4: Leads by example; committed to prioritising and completing work within a set timeframe and to industry standards Adapts positively to changing work priorities and patterns, ensuring deadlines continue to be met
B5: Is a strategic thinker; has an entrepreneuarial mind-set, drives innovation across the business; proactively keeps up to date with emerging trends, identifies and communicates opportunities for the application of new technologies/ or approaches to VFX projects
Duty 1
DUTY: Interpret a VFX brief (e.g technical script, storyboard, previsualisation), identify the interacting technical factors and the methodology to be used, and communicate your strategy to ensure the delivery of a VFX project, technically and creatively.
K1
K2
K3
K4
K5
K6
K26
S1
S2
S3
B4
Duty 2
DUTY: Critically evaluate schedules and budgets and apply commercial awareness in response to the scope of a project and/or changes to the concept, plate materials or shot count.
K7
K8
K9
K10
K11
S5
S6
S7
S8
B3
B4
Duty 3
DUTY: Collaborate with multiple stakeholders (e.g. director, director of photography, producer) throughout the end-to-end production process, adapting VFX approaches and employing strategies to maximise the potential of client ideas and conceptualise their vision. Set the expectations of clients in terms of quality, deliverables, timescales and the achievability of their vision .
K5
K9
K10
K11
K12
K14
K24
S9
S10
S11
S12
S27
B1
B2
B4
Duty 4
DUTY: Support the iterative nature of production by providing ongoing verbal, written and visual critique to ensure the quality of assets and shots; meeting the client brief and matching to reference material (e.g. concept art, plate photography).
K5
K18
K19
K25
S13
S17
S20
B1
B3
Duty 5
DUTY: Supervise a multi-disciplinary team of VFX specialists, to deliver the clients creative vision from pre to post-production; interpreting the client’s vision into departmental outputs on a shot-by-shot basis.
K11
K14
K17
K18
K20
S2
S14
S15
S16
S17
S18
S26
B1
B3
Duty 6
DUTY: Act as the VFX key point of contact and have accountability in pre-production meetings, on-set and during plate, scan, reference and/or capture shoots for: advising, supervising and gathering data on all VFX aspects of the production. Decide when to use technical resources such as blue/green screens, motion control or other specialist equipment.
K5
K8
K9
K11
K12
K20
K21
K23
S5
S10
S11
S13
S17
B1
B3
Duty 7
DUTY: Identify and devise the most efficient and effective technical workflow, to enable and optimise the delivery of a VFX production. Provide the ongoing technical authority regarding VFX creation and delivery, including troubleshooting in real time, throughout production.
K15
K16
K22
S2
S13
S19
B3
B4
Duty 8
DUTY: Take sole accountability for the quality of VFX assets created, ensuring these are in line with technical requirements and quality standards.
K7
K13
K16
K21
K23
S19
S21
S22
S25
S26
B4
Duty 9
DUTY: Prototype or experiment in order to develop and implement innovative approaches to challenging VFX problems; improving commercial success and driving innovation across the organisation, Applying knowledge of the VFX shot production and its iteration process is and utilising advanced VFX skills to provide specific creative solutions and to meet client requirements.
K15
K16
K21
K22
K23
S4
S18
S20
S22
S23
B3
B5
Duty 10
DUTY: Provide technical authority and guidance for the organisation regarding VFX creation and delivery. Enhance awareness of the wider application of VFX tools and technologies across the business and wider industry so that opportunities for its use can be identified.
K5
K6
K22
K23
S8
S9
S20
S24
B2
B5
Duty 11
DUTY: Assess complex situations and changing requirements in a fast-moving environment, undertaking strategic decisions for a production, and can justify these to others if required. Upholds the ethical, cultural and creative quality standards of the company to the client as the most senior representative of the project, team and company.
