VFX Supervisor

The VFX Supervisor has overall responsibility for the production of visual effects on the film or TV project that they are working on. It is up to them to make sure the technical and artistic quality of the finished shots is of the standard agreed on with the Director and other production staff.

The responsibilities of the VFX Supervisor may include:

• Handle a VFX project from inception through to completion.
• Manage and direct the technical, artistic, and production personnel for each project. 
• Be the authority on visual effects techniques, camera set-ups, with an eye for composition. 
• Predict timing and associated costs of projects on varying scales. 
• Collaborate on the bidding and negotiation processes.

To be a qualified VFX supervisor, you need to have a good deal of experience so that you can coordinate the issues that may arise in the workplace. You will also be able to give your staff the best advice and solutions when they encounter problems or bottlenecks in their work.

Web reference https://www.productionbase.co.uk/blog/2019/10/14/become-vfx-supervisor/

https://nofilmschool.com/vfx-supervisor

Data capture technician

The job of a data capture technician is usually to travel to film sets to scan and record data and information from the VFX team for live-action shots that need to have special effects added.

This position is very important to the special effects’ workforce. If the data from the live action footage is not the same as the data produced by the VFX team, then the final output can be problematic. Only a data capture technician can record the types of shots, focal lengths, and filters used to produce the best visual effects for the VFX and the real scene.

The responsibilities of the Data capture technician may include:

• Collaborating with Scanning Coordinator, CG Producers, and Supervisor Producers to accomplish daily targets

• Operate cameras and HDRI equipment to capture high quality HDRI’s
• Set up, deconstruct, operate, and troubleshoot the facial photogrammetry rig
• Taking proper texture and reference photos on set
• Process scan data to generate light weight, highly detailed geometry for layout and assets

To be a qualified data capture technician I think you need to be technically proficient, have some basics knowledge to be a qualified data capture technician I think you need to be technically proficient, have some basic knowledge of VFX and have a reliable driving licence, as the job also involves travelling between the studio and the set. Ledge of VFX and a reliable driving licence, as the job also involves travelling between the studio and the set.

Web reference

https://www.spinvfx.com/scanning-technician/ https://www.screenskills.com/job-profiles/browse/visual-effects-vfx/on-set/data-capture-technician/

Compositor

Compositors ensure that all the visual elements of a film are rendered seamlessly on the screen. They deal with a complex combination of images including green screen/chroma key sequences, special effects, visual effects, mattes and live-action coming together to complete a believable whole. 

The role of Compositor is important because they are responsible for the final output of the final animation, film and game. Combining many formats of material into one requires a great deal of skill and knowledge to combine them perfectly. And the Compositor needs to work with the various departments to ensure that all elements are delivered in a format that is compatible with each department.

The responsibilities of the Compositor may include:

• Liaising with the director, producer and post production head to establish the formats and delivery items of all the elements that make up the production
• Collating all the materials from the camera, animation and special effects teams, and ensuring they are all compatible
• Advising filmmakers on the best lighting, color levels and blacks to maintain a consistency of style and look throughout the shoot
• Working closely with lighting technical directors, roto artists and render wranglers to ensure the smooth running of the production pipeline
• Taking responsibility for continuity of shots and effects of the entire work
• Enhancing lighting effects
• Creating convincing shadows within a shot
• Adding motion blur to scenes
• Integrating rear projection into background images
• Working with blue/green screen effects
• Ability to do some keying, rotoscoping and creating mattes as required
• Conducting quality assurance of visuals and correcting errors before final composition
• Ensuring the director’s vision of overall style is delivered

Web reference

https://www.cgspectrum.com/career-pathways/compositor https://thefocus.com/updates/7-career-tips-compositors

Compositing Supervisor

The Compositing Supervisor is the position that manages the Compositor. His role is mainly to check the quality of the compositions and to ensure the continuity of colour between shots and the uniformity of the overall effect.

Generally speaking, the head of the synthesis is someone who is already very experienced in synthesis. They specialize in working with a wide range of digital materials. And they can also produce when they encounter difficult tasks to ensure that the team completes the task within the time limit.

The responsibilities of the Compositor may include:

• Work closely with production to bid and schedule work 
• Direct task to junior/mid/senior level artist and crew shots appropriately to their level of expertise 
• Take responsibility for the quality of the work of the team as a whole 
• Work proactively and collaboratively with all other VFX and support departments 
• Attend client reviews and lead daily reviews with the Compositing team 
• Balance the creative and technical aspects of each shot/sequence 
• Solve any difficult technical and artistic compositing challenges of a shot or sequence 
• Take a leadership role in guiding the longer-term goals of the 2D department, covering both building up a team of Compositors as well as 2D pipeline development, including taking into account stereoscopic projects 
• On set VFX supervision for (but not limited to) 2D based projects 

The Compositing Supervisor is the most experienced person in the entire industry. It usually takes several years or more to learn. It takes several years or even more to be qualified for this position.

Web reference

https://framestore.recruitee.com/o/compositing-supervisor-montreal https://www.screenskills.com/job-profiles/browse/visual-effects-vfx/compositing/compositing-supervisor/