Production Manager – VFX Editor
There are two different roles when it comes to a VFX Editor with a Client side VFX Editor being similar to a VFX Supervisor on set, making sure everything is being captured so that VFX Elements can be implemented later, with a client side VFX Editor also relaying these concerns or details to In-house editors who create workflows that make it so that VFX Supervisors can provide feedback to how a shot is coming along. The VFX Editor is also responsible for passing shots along inbetween the client approving shots and the team working on them.
The VFX Editor will need to have goo leadership, teamwork and communication skills to effectively communicate with directors on set and artists in house, and should be knowledgeable of both the VFX Post production pipeline and how on set works. The average salary is around 32,094 Pounds a year.
Production Manager – Data input/output technician
Data input technicians are responsible for managing, storing archiving and unarchiving files, and keeping the servers clean. DMT’s are responsible for using file transfer systems for processing of large scale files and knowing what file formats are best for what type of project. DMT’s are also responsible for delivery and transferring of files, whether they need encryption or not. They are also responsible for knowledge of all formats from different versions of cameras and also the conversions of files into other formats, examples being conversions of ProRes files into MP4 Files for easy web access in client postings.
A DMT needs to be knowledgeable in file formatting, conversion and what is best of compression, they should be knowledgable in Photoshop, Premiere, Media Encoder and Handbrake. This was part of my job as the previous role i was in and can contain long hours and DMT’s can be needed at the drop of a hat. DMT’s must be very organized to keep things together. The average salary of a DMT is around 27,277 pounds per year.
Sources: Role Info: Data input/output (I/O) technician (also known as data technician) in the VFX industry – ScreenSkills Salary Info: Salary: Data Input Technician | Glassdoor
Pre-production – Concept artist
Concept artists are responsible for bringing the Director’s vision to life and create visuals to help conceptualize the story. The concept artist must create visuals that can properly be matched by storyboard artists and CGI and VFX Artists. Concept artists will use concept art to create characters, creatures, building vehicles and locations.
Concept artists will use a combination of hand drawn on pen and paper, tablet drawings using things like Photoshop and illustrator, or even simple 3D Renders to visualize the concepts presented and turn them into proper visual references. Concept Artists should be proficient in Photoshop, Illustrator, PaintToolSAI, ZBrush, substance painter and other tools used for drawing. They should have excellent communication skills to properly communicate with the relevant departments and bring then filmmaker’s vision to life. This is the most traditional art role available through VFX and film-making and the salary sits at around 28,906 pounds per year.
Sources: Role Info: What is a Concept Artist? | VFX Visuals Blog (vfxpro.com) More Role Info: Concept artist in the VFX industry – ScreenSkills Salary Info: Salary: Concept Artist | Glassdoor
Pre-production – Previsualisation Artist
Pre-Visualization works to create 3D Reference that is usually animated to give the director a visual reference for what a scene will look like in visual effects, specifically in the placement of actors, the placement of the camera in the scene and the look of the set. This can be used in pre-production to create a visual reference for directors, vfx artists, and production crew on set such as actors and camera crew. Previs is not meant to be a finished animation, but a reference for what a scene will look like.
An example of a lot of previs would be shots in Doctor Strange, where many shots needed a lot of different Pre-vis to get a reference of how the character would look like when floating or moving around an ever changing mirror styled scene. A Pre-vis artist must be good at doing 3D Animation, especially in a very short time frame and creating simple models for use in pre-vis. Pre-vis artists usually use programs like Blender, Maya or Cinema4D, and the average salary of a Pre-Vis artist is around 32465 pounds per year.
Sources: Role Info: How To Make Your VFX Look Incredible With Pre-Visualization (animationkolkata.com) More Role Info: Previsualization: Why you need to see your scene before shooting it (srushtivfx.com) Even more role info: Previsualisation (previs) artist in the VFX industry – ScreenSkills Salary Info: Salary: VFX Artist (January, 2022) | Glassdoor