VFX RUNNER

The nature of the work and tasks of a VFX runner are easily expressed in the name of the profession. Its job is to play the role of a runner in a VFX studio. Providing support and security for other departments and colleagues in the company.

The career of VFX runner is a good option for many newcomers to the vistual effects industry. This is because most of the work is secretarial in nature, such as passing materials and information between departments. They organise meetings, take care of reception duties and serve tea and other mundane tasks. This does not require a lot of experience or skills for the candidate. This is why it is a low barrier career.

Responsibilities to become a VFX runner

As a runner, you’ll need to:

• answer the telephone
• deliver post to local clients
• do photocopying and general administrative work
• drive cars, vans or trucks between locations and around sets
• fetch and carry items, such as equipment, tapes, cable and scripts
• get everything in place for shoots
• hand out post and messages to colleagues within the production team
• help set up a location for a shoot
• hire props
• keep the set clean and tidy
• make and hand out tea, coffee and lunches
• make arrangements for staff on location, such as booking meeting rooms or ordering food
• manage petty cash
• look after guests
• order stock
• pick up cast for make-up calls
• sort out the kit bags, for example checking that the camera bag contains all the necessary items
• take messages
• transcribe production tapes
• transport cast, crew and production staff between offices, studios and shoot locations
• transport scripts and hire equipment
• undertake basic research
• use maps, tapes and clapper boards, and other film and television production equipment
• write down shot lists.

Overall this is a relatively easy way to get into VFX and a very good career to get to know the various departments of VFX most quickly.

Web reference:

https://www.prospects.ac.uk/job-profiles/runner-broadcasting-film-video

https://vfx-montreal.com/job/runner/

Prep Artist:

The Prep Artist does the pre-production integration work for VFX. He usually works with the compositor to integrate all the elements of the image, which includes CG and live action shots, and they will clear the plate of unwanted items such as wires, rigs, extraneous people, etc. Preparing the compositor to layer the effects.

Responsibilities to become a Prep Artist

• generating articulate roto mattes using animation and tracking techniques
• painting, clean plating, rig removals and cleanup
• marker removals, production, and cosmetic fixes
• retiming, or transforming footage to match client references
• basic split screen composites and precomps

To be Prep Artist you must have

• demonstrate excellent rotoscoping skills and meticulous attention to detail
• experience using trackers and 3D cameras in roto and paint workflows
• demonstrate excellent painting skills using frame by frame and procedural workflows
• 1+ years of related production experience for feature film or television VFX
• experience using Nuke in production, including proficiency in Nuke’s 3D environment

In most cases Prep Artistusually works in conjunction with the ROTO supervisor. This career is not just about technical work. There is also the ability to work with others and good time management and organisational skills.

Web reference:

https://framestore.recruitee.com/o/preppaint-artist

https://www.spinvfx.com/careers/roto-prep-artist/

Roto Artists:

Roto Artists trace the areas of live action frames where computer graphics will overlap or interact with live images. This creates clear areas (mattes) within the frame to allow all elements of the scene to be layered convincingly. This enables Compositors to combine all the various elements accurately.

It seems to me that the nature of the work of a roto artist is inherently very boring. Roto is also often done in Nuke, which we are studying this semester. Many roto artists are often freelancers. This is because the work is not very difficult. It is more about having patience.

Responsibilities to become a Roto Artists

• Demonstrates a strong eye for color and grain structures with the ability to match saturation, hues and black points from multiple sources to create a cohesive final montage.
• Able to break shots down into individual components with little supervision.
• Easily assimilates feedback given by supervisors.
• Researches appropriate references including continuity with like shots. Proactively shares this information with team.
• Demonstrates a keen eye for recognizing paint artifacts, sharpness and color issues.
• Able to handle complex shots with heavy motion blur, lots of layers, etc.
• Ability to use a combination of techniques when dealing with tricky wire removals and clean plates.
• Demonstrates a basic ability to do “paint on comp” work to a high level of quality.
• Working knowledge of color correction and Grain pipeline in Nuke.
• Ability to use layout and DM cameras in Nuke.
• Ability to export track points between multiple toolsets.
• Working knowledge of stereo compositing pipeline.
• Demonstrates excellent troubleshooting skills.
  

Overall I think this career is the most important safeguard before VFX production, and how good Roto is determines the output of the post-production results. It’s a very mechanical profession. But it is a very important job.

Web reference:

https://jobs.jobvite.com/lucascompanies/job/ohyEafwn https://digitalhorizons.org.uk/job-role/roto-artist-digital/ https://www.cgspectrum.com/career-pathways/roto-artist

In general I would like to be a Vfx runner in all three professions because it would allow me to familiarise myself with a new environment or even a new profession as soon as possible. The job would also allow me to get a quicker understanding of how the industry works.