Updates
It's been a crazy busy couple of weeks. Aside from hitting several deadlines in a row (one of which included finishing the shots for the teaser trailer, now available online) and heading up to the Bay area briefly (for about 18 hours), I almost have no free time. The vfx work on Mummy is coming along, and we've still got some time to finish all the shots. Rhythm is doing some fine work as well, from what I've seen, and you've seen as well, from the stuff in the trailer.
GTA IV is now finally out of my mind, having spent about 30 hours over the last couple of weeks finishing up the main story. This is actually the first Grand Theft Auto that I've completed! All the other ones I get around half way through and give up, or something else pops up on my radar. Now I can just casually play, instead of trying to finish a huge story. I guess I just liked the characters in this one, and enjoyed the story that much more.
On Sunday we finally were able to sit back and watch Iron Man, and it was everything that I hoped it would be. Such a shame that Digital Domain didn't get to work on it, but ILM did an amazing job overall, as did the other numerous vfx houses. We'll see what happens with number two! One thing that disappoints me with the way ILM does credits is that everyone is listed as digital artist, not compositor or lighter or animator. It's a cop-out.
I'm not sure if the abbreviation of credits is ILMs fault per se. I'm guessing it could have been some sort of contractual obligation with the studio with regards to number of credits/lines. If the number of credits increases it is up to the vfx house to renegotiate the contract or find an alternate solution with the studio, hence possible abbreviated credits. I could be wrong though, but this has been my expericence.
majik
May 20, 2008 3:57 PM
You know, THis is exactly why we need a union. If there was a union like this, "digital artist" woudln't fly.
You don't see every one working in camera department as "celluloid based image capture experts" and every person who are in make up as "anti ugly staff" (or in the case of monsters ball "uglifying staff" There is a certain amount of respect that comes wit a title, and the only thing digital artist really goes for in my opinion is roto/pain people.
Just my 2 cents.
Ps aruna, started a nuke based blog over on blog.z-effects.com (not to compete, cause thats not what im about, just thought you'd like it)
-Zander
Zander
May 21, 2008 5:36 AM
The VES has a suggested list for credits, and I'm curious why ILM doesn't use them. It's true that it could be a contractual obligation, but more than once have I seen ILM list their artists as digital artists and not specific artists. I would think that they have enough clout to do pretty much whatever they want in a credit list.
Zander, site looks cool. A bit tough to read (I'm a fan of black text on white or similar), but I'll visit frequently to see what you've got to say. ;)
Aruna
May 21, 2008 9:10 AM
I'm sure there is a valid reason for this. Lets not forget too that most, if not all, of the computer graphics unit positions at ILM are unionised with IATSE Local 16 & 600. I doubt that ILM would be willing to piss off the unions that much? But you never know?
There will be much debate soon about the pros and cons of a union in the vfx industry as companies like Lucasfilm Animation, Imageworks, Framestore Animation et al start to blur the lines between traditional post production and full-on animation production.
majik
May 21, 2008 10:33 AM
You know, sometime roto/paint people should be credited as compositor. They does more than just roto/paint, actually composite the plate for creating the clean plate.
I hear they complain about getting credited as roto/paint artist even they did very complicated work.
In that case, When everyone is listed as digital artis, it even and makes their feel better maybe.
no matter what position it is, we all work hard and making great film.
Zander wrote:
You don't see every one working in camera department as "celluloid based image capture experts" and every person who are in make up as "anti ugly staff" (or in the case of monsters ball "uglifying staff" There is a certain amount of respect that comes wit a title, and the only thing digital artist really goes for in my opinion is roto/pain people.
JacsonT
May 23, 2008 9:23 PM
That's the problem, making everyone feel better, and on equal terms, when life isn't fair, and not everyone is equal. (Here, everyone have a first place prize for finishing last!)
Roto/Paint is a vital part of the visual effects process. They are often handed shit plates, with great aspirations to clean it up, and are rarely, if ever, thanked. I think that making them part of the whole, as a digital artist, is insulting to them. Sometimes they do more work and spend more time than the compositor for a shot.
The term compositor is one who composes images into a whole, and technically, rotoscoping and paint are part of a compositors job, but have been handed off to other people in larger facilities in more recent times.
Aruna
May 24, 2008 9:50 AM