Maybe you were watching the latest Avatar: Ways of the Water and wondered if you also wanted to know how to do these visual effects. You’re not the only one. Today, most VFX artists started loving animated or visual effects movies so much that they wanted to create one. But is that all there is to it?
What about skills, education, training, and certifications? This article will answer all your questions and provide you with an understanding of VFX artist background requirements. Then you can decide whether or not it is worth it.
What is VFX
VFX is an abbreviation for visual effects or visual FX. It is a simple idea that allows what isn’t real or alive to become real and believable, like making a man become a gorilla in a movie or making a 2D drawing of an elephant into a live elephant in a child’s cartoon series.
The whole idea is not about creating something from scratch. It is about making something out of the resources that exist.
For instance, if a visual effects artist wants to depict the image of an alien, a person is required. In the same way, the person may need to wear fake wings to be depicted as a fairy. Suspender ropes allow people to look like they are flying and so much more.
What Does a VFX Artist Do?
The VFX artist creates the video effects. They create realistic (or fantastical) effects on any visual image. VFX artists employ particles, animation, graphics, sprites, and other techniques to improve the viewing experience.
But all VFX artists differ from each other, and because it is such a varied profession, VFX artists do not share the same responsibilities. You must note that one VFX artist at one company may have an entirely different process than another artist at another company.
Nonetheless, VFX artists use cutting-edge software like Blender, Adobe Creative Suite 4, or Autodesk Maya to produce visual effects while staying within budget.
Skills You Need as a VFX Artist
Like in any field, you need to acquire some skills before starting. These skills could also be considered the basic requirements of the field. Without these skills, you might not become a VFX artist.
- Paying Close Attention to Detail: Detailing is everything in VFX. You must be able to note even the tiniest detail on a huge project. If you think it can be overlooked, you will be surprised how many viewers will call you out on the mistake you thought could be covered.
- Creativity: Another skill you need is to allow your creativity to flow. If you are not creative, this job is not for you. But how can you tell when a person is creative? If you like to imagine things that could be or see the world in your head, you are on the right track.
- Computer Knowledge: No longer are the days of sketches and manual methods. Today, almost everything is done on a computer. Without computer knowledge, you cannot become a VFX artist.
- Ability to work with others: This is a very significant skill. Many jobs these days need you to collaborate and collaborate with others in a team. People depend on you, so you have to stick to deadlines, and you cannot be the only one to work on a set for a movie like X-Men.
Do I Need to Attend School for VFX Training?
The short answer is yes. You cannot learn all about VFX from watching a YouTube video or reading a blog. It is more comprehensive than that. Schools have been established to focus on VFX teaching and training. This includes illustration, animation, and many other parts of VFX. So, look for any of these colleges that are close to you, and get signed up. That is where the reality of the job reveals itself to you.
Conclusion
VFX or Visual Effects is a vast field, and learning about it from a single blog is impossible. We have more blogs like this for both beginning and seasoned artists. Check out more of our blogs if you want to read more like this. We’d love to hear your thoughts on our posts.