Research
The role that I have chosen to explore is a Previs Animator, Layout artist, or a very similar sequence animation role, in which I’d be animating longer sequences in less detail using drawn up storyboards.
I originally came across the role on a job search through indeed. The role ‘Previs – Shot Creator/Animator’ from the company ‘The Third Floor’ came up and looking deeper into the role, everything about it ticked my boxes in what I was looking for in a role.
LINK TO INDEED PAGE
Finding the almost perfect job role in one Indeed search was quite exciting, however after searching for very similar search terms, I never came across any similar job roles.
Not much after originally discovering the role, Paul Arion, the global head of layout of another company Double Negative (DNEG) came in to give a talk about layout and its role it has on the industry, as well as many other useful things.
From his talk, this provided me with some extremely helpful information about how the industry is developing, and the best ways to get stuck into it.
I found some descriptions of the role indicating the sort of skills I would be making use of in the role. Some of the descriptions include:
- Primary responsibility is to interpret 2D storyboards and plan the cinematography to produce 3D production.
- Turn 2D set designs into 3D set design
- Create cameras, and plan out shot sizes.
- Work with directors and visual FX supervisors.
- Being a visual story teller
And some must haves:
- Have an artistic eye
- Creativity
- Editing Skills
- Knowledge of cinematography
- Knowledge of 3D animation software
- Great communication skills
- Organisation
Role Information
After some talks, discussion with industry from last year’s portfolio unit, I went searching for job role requirements for 3 companies. Third Floor, DNEG, and also MPC. Here is my summarised findings:
After some talks, discussion with industry from last year’s portfolio unit, I went searching for job role requirements for 3 companies. Third Floor, DNEG, and also MPC. Here is my summarised findings:
DOUBLE NEGATIVE
- Comprehensive Knowledge of Maya
- Knowledge of cameras, lenses and cinematography
- Strong emphasis on visual story telling, composition, and staging.
- Showreel featuring high level animated work
- Knowledge and experience in Editing
- Experience of Unreal Engine
THE THIRD FLOOR
- Knowledge of Maya / After Effects / Motion builder
- Knowledge of cinematic language
- Strong sense of composition, colour, animation timing, and storytelling
- Animates a wide range of subject matter
- Can cleanup mo-cap animation
MPC
- Knowledge of Maya
- Knowledge of real world cameras, cinematography, in scene and being on set
- Excellent skills in layout and camera animation
- VFX and CG animation at a pre vis level
- Experience with Unreal Engine
- Experience with rigging & scripting
(There were a lot of different listings from different site, all with similar stuff but different titles and descriptions)
On top of these, there were common aspects of all roles. A major one being able to communicate well, something I know I’m very capable of. Also, being a “Team Player”, which involves working with and communicating with other departments, and supervisors. This of course matching with the job descriptions.
In my search, I came across “The Green light Program”. This program is recommended to graduates of a VFX or Animation degree and seems like something I could aim for after finishing university (if the program still goes ahead). I was unsure of the process after first seeing it, but it came up in a discussion I had with Paul Arion.
Another one I was informed about was the Framestore Launchpad internship. This one involved being in a studio environment for 8 weeks, but only 14 candidates are being selected.