Effects technical director (FX TD)
Effects technical director (FX TD) is responsible for creating explosions, delays, fluids and other effects for film and television productions. This is to be used in sequences. They usually turn these effects into code that the VFX artist uses to create the effects in the scene. They work closely with the VFX Supervisor to ensure seamless rendering of screen effects.
The responsibilities of the Effects technical director (FX TD) may include:
- Liaising with the FX Supervisor, director, cinematographer, gaffer on the best filming conditions for the FX sequences requiring particle and fluid effects
- Researching the look of the effects based on the briefing from the filmmakers according to the script
- Maintaining a visual consistency throughout all the effects
- Advising on set regarding what needs to be captured in-camera for the effects to work
- Supervising effects artist team, keeping them on schedule and within budget
- Writing code for custom software to deal with complex effects
- Maintaining technical documentation
- Seamlessly integrating special effects into live action footage
- Problem solving during the production and post-production processes
- Dealing with computer modeling and geometry issues
- Working to deliver the vision of the director
- Interpreting FX supervisor’s and director’s notes and communicating them to the team
The threshold for this career is usually high, as it involves programming and therefore requires a strong computer base from the effects technical director (FX TD). Even when it comes to effects such as fire and smoke. Knowledge of physics is also very important.
Web reference
https://www.cgspectrum.com/career-pathways/fx-technical-director https://lostboys-studios.com/effects-technical-director-fx-td/?gclid=Cj0KCQiA_c-OBhDFARIsAIFg3exDnGnTHxSGE4MZWK6eqAjBsrw8_XBpFoV9POcx8v-SEEUXb2vlP7IaAsT4EALw_wcB
Assistant technical director
As an Assistant Technical Director (ATD) you will perform a variety of tasks to assist the Pipeline Technical Directors (Pipeline TDs) to ensure the smooth running of the tools, software and workflows used by VFX and Feature Animation shows. You will be working closely with the Pipeline TDs to provide face-to-face support for artists in our London studio.
The responsibilities of the Assistant technical director may include:
- Provide technical advice and support for artists.
- Monitor render farm, disk usage and file transfers between sites.
- Contribute to testing and feedback for software releases from the R&D team.
- Design and write Python tools and scripts for shows to use.
- Act as a key interface between between our software developers and our artists, adapting your communication style and approach to articulate technical and non-technical information
For this position, he is an entry-level career. He can assist the pipeline TD and other TDs to go about their work and deal with minor error reports. But if you want to work in this industry, basic programming and other VFX skills still need to be understood.
Web reference
https://jobs.jobvite.com/double-negative-visual-effects/job/oc0Uefw4 https://uk.indeed.com/hire/job-description/technical-director?gclid=Cj0KCQiA_c-OBhDFARIsAIFg3ewVbfTveP0ghz5KGnr8RNG2rufi2S7zTo9wcAORkV52nVxOIukIlq8aAnVmEALw_wcB&aceid=
Software developer
The Software developer’s responsibility is to create the technology needed for VFX projects. The development of software such as MAYA NUKE, for example, is carried out by this profession. Some of the plug-ins used for special effects are also created by them.
The software produced by the excellent Software developer can help to ease the burden on VFX staff. And Software development is a highly skilled profession. In many cases, it is produced by the best people in the industry.
The responsibilities of the Software developer may include:
- Work with your colleagues to develop features, fix bugs, and define new services from start to finish.
- Advocate for professional standards of development.
- Troubleshoot problems across different levels of the stack, and in production environments.
- Take responsibility for code quality, always leaving projects in better state than before you started work.
- Contribute to maintaining an authoritative source of documentation.
- Evangelise use of the Core Platform within MPC and other Technicolor business units.
- Take initiative to improve the developer experience in small or large ways.
- Provide some level of operational support for the platform as required.
Web reference
https://www.glassdoor.com/Job/vfx-developer-jobs-SRCH_KO0,13.htm https://www.screenskills.com/job-profiles/browse/visual-effects-vfx/technical/software-developer/
Pipeline TD (Pipeline technical director)
Pipeline Technical Directors (TDs) make sure a VFX project runs smoothly by identifying and fixing problems as they arise. This is done by making sure each department has the software tools that they need to complete their part of the project to the best standard possible.
Artists rely on pipeline TDs to ensure they have the tools and software needed to concentrate on their job’s artistic side rather than the technical. As such, pipeline TDs work closely with staff from all departments to understand what their technical needs are today and what they might be in the future. They also work closely with the research and development teams designing and testing new software to ensure such technology fits neatly into the production pipeline.
The responsibilities of the Pipeline TD (Pipeline technical director) may include:
- Writing pipeline tools and further developing the pipeline for use across Framestore shows
- Working in collaboration with the CG Supervisor and end users to determine the best solutions
- Once a solution has been agreed then ensure that it addresses end user and show requirements as briefed
- Maintaining of tools including troubleshooting and optimisation
- Thorough documentation of all development and updating as necessary
- Ongoing research to recommend improvements to workflows in order to improve productivity or communication
A Pipeline TD (Pipeline technical director) is a very versatile person who is often very familiar with a wide range of technologies in order to coordinate the work of various project departments. This job usually involves using most of the VFX software. The Pipeline TD (Pipeline technical director) can also be very comfortable with programming.
Web reference
https://framestore.recruitee.com/o/pipeline-technical-director-montreal
https://www.ftrack.com/en/2021/09/what-is-a-pipeline-td.html
https://www.productionbase.co.uk/blog/2020/02/20/become-pipeline-td/