Interested in a simple Skills Scan and Learning Progress Tracker tool for the Junior vfx artist (generalist) standard?
Knowledge
K1: The principles of 3D space, including projections and UV texturing
K2: How to identify production requirements from a brief
K3: The different software and techniques that could be used; the implications of their use, how to customise these and how they can be used to solve problems
K4: How to obtain reference materials and previously created assets
K5: How to plan your approach to the work; techniques, optimisation and schedule
K6: The requirements and expectations of the workflow, and of other team members who will use the assets you create
K7: How to use software to create: a model, a texture map, puppet rig and a blocked animation
K8: The importance of naming conventions, file formats and version control and the impact of not doing this correctly
K9: The value of VFX content and confidentiality to the business and its customers, why it is important to maintain data security, and the legal and regulatory requirements which apply to VFX assets such as copyright and intellectual property rights
K10: How good, timely communication can contribute to productive working relationships with clients and customers
K11: The context within the production of: own role, the production pipeline and how own role interacts with this, the department they are working in, and the subsequent stages of the workflow process
K12: Research methods, techniques and tools that can be used and where to find credible sources of information and how to check their validity
K13: The VFX industry and the terminology, current tools and workflows used
K14: The rendering requirements for the production and how to optimise assets when using the appropriate rendering tools and techniques
K15: How to identify and select the different rendering techniques and tools to use, and how to save and duplicate render settings across multiple files
K16: Why is important to evaluate progress and seek feedback on your work in VFX
K17: The production requirements, processes and workflow
K18: The types of data and information you might receive from an on-set environment
K19: How to identify where your asset or shot fits within a sequence
K20: The process of following image features across a series of frames in order to record the position of an object in the source footage
K21: How the camera moves, the impact on the tracking process and how to select the most appropriate method to produce an accurate track
K22: The technical process of tracking and how you can improve the accuracy and efficiency of tracking the shot
K23: Lens distortion, parallax and overscan
K24: The principles of computer systems, IP networks and shared storage systems as applied in VFX
K25: How assets are managed throughout the workflow including: production storage, shared storage, nearline storage and archive, whether on premises or in the cloud
Skills
S1: Identify the information required, and gather the appropriate research and reference materials to carry out your work to expected creative, narrative and technical standards on each production
S2: Select the appropriate software and technique to meet the required standards and brief, taking into account the needs of other departments in the production pipeline
S3: Analyse and determine the most appropriate approach to carry out the work
S4: Select and use software to create: a model, a texture map, puppet rig and blocked animation to meet the requirements of the brief
S5: Store and organise assets in order to enable their use throughout the rest of the pipeline
S6: Operate within and adhere to agreed organisational policies, standards and procedures such as health & safety, confidentiality, security, asset storage and legal and regulatory requirements
S7: Manage own workload and operate both individually and as part of a wider VFX team, keeping colleagues, clients and/or other departments updated on progress and report any issues arising
S8: Use reliable information to keep-up-to date with the new tools, software, data and other related technology, and how they affect your work
S9: Present findings and conclusions to meet the needs of the audience
S10: Identify render errors and fix/escalate them as appropriate
S11: Apply render settings across multiple assets
S12: Review assets created with the relevant people, offering suggestions to assist others with the production
S13: Respond positively to feedback about the assets created, making refinements as needed
S14: Work in line with agreed workflows, adapting to operational and creative changes as they occur
S15: Trouble shoot VFX problems, taking responsibility for the course of action followed and sharing solutions
S16: Escalate VFX problems to the appropriate person if it can’t be solved, and act on the advice given to solve the problem
S17: Analyse, interpret and use on-set data and information
S18: Create accurate point tracks and planar tracks in line with production requirements
S19: Interpret and correct lens distortion, parallax and overscan
S20: Model and manipulate geometry for scene reconstruction
S21: Multitask on simultaneous projects, often for different clients, deciding how to prioritise the work to ensure that all tasks are completed on schedule
S22: Ensure data integrity when moving assets between storage systems
S23: Deliver content in the correct format as required by the employer and clients
Behaviours
B1: Works with sustained concentration and with attention to detail; able to self-check work for quality control
B2: Works on own initiative, is proactive and inquisitive; responds positively to feedback about assets created, making refinements as needed and recognises their own level of authority and when it is necessary to escalate issues
B3: Thinks creatively and logically to solve technical problems - contributes to a process continual improvement of workflow and technique. Uses initiative and innovation to problem solve, to provide creative solutions and opportunities for the production
B4: Is flexible and can work under pressure- managing and re-organising priorities and bringing multiple tasks to completion within deadlines, communicating progress as required
B5: Demonstrates judgement in assessing the use of emerging practice within the constraints of a production environment. Does not willingly accept second best, and is pragmatic about balancing client expectations against the available time and budget
B6: Creates and maintains positive, professional, trusting and ethical working relationships with their team and the wider range of internal, external and connected stakeholders
Duty 1
DUTY: Assess the requirements set by the client or supervisor brief for the requested VFX. Prepare to create the VFX assets identifying and deciding which tools and techniques best meet the required creative, narrative and technical demands of the production
K1
K2
K3
K4
K5
S1
S2
S3
S4
B2
B4
Duty 2
DUTY: Create VFX assets in line with production requirements, ensuring the output meets the requirements for the workflow process
K2
K6
K7
S2
S4
S5
S6
B1
Duty 3
DUTY: Manage own VFX assets through the workflow (pipeline) in line with production requirements for organising, storing and retrieving assets
K8
K9
K10
K11
K13
K25
S5
S6
S22
B1
Duty 4
DUTY: Work autonomously and with clients or customers in the visual effects (VFX) industry, collaborating with other departments as required to ensure that the CG elements are delivered to meet agreed production requirements
K6
K9
K10
K11
K25
S7
S9
B4
B6
Duty 5
DUTY: Improve own knowledge and performance in visual effects (VFX) by seeking out information about emerging practice in the visual effects (VFX) industry such as new tools, software, data and other related technology
K12
K13
S7
S8
S9
B2
B3
Duty 6
DUTY: Select and use appropriate technology to render VFX assets for pre-rendered or real-time productions
K14
K15
S3
S6
S10
S11
B1
B6
Duty 7
DUTY: Evaluate VFX assets in line with feedback to ensure production requirements are met and own practice continuously improves
K10
K11
K16
K20
S12
S13
S14
B2
B5
Duty 8
DUTY: Use innovative approaches to solve problems and ensure VFX assets are delivered in line with production requirements
K3
K17
K21
K22
S2
S14
S15
S16
S19
S20
B1
B3
Duty 9
DUTY: Track cameras, markers and objects to meet production requirements
K18
K19
K20
K21
K22
K23
K24
S2
S17
S18
S19
S20
S21
B1
B2
Duty 10
DUTY: Deliver assets to meet production requirements
