ITM Institute Of Design And Media

IDM - Your Quick Guide to Being a VFX Artist: Tasks, Abilities, and What You Can Earn

Viral Patel

5 min

Introduction

Visual effects have been playing a significant role in entertainment and cinema. Scenes such as war or imagination created are all made by VFX artists. They are the masterminds of these visuals that you see on screen. VFX artists' job is very creative and requires a set of skills to excel in the industry. If you are interested in this field, you can opt for a VFX course in Mumbai. Thus, we have prepared a guide where you can understand everything about becoming a VFX artist.

What is VFX?

VFX is commonly known as Visual Effects. Visual effects are known as the enhancement of images and videos to make realistic and incredible illusions. The scene in a movie or video is essential to connect to the audience's emotions. The illusions created by the VFX artist can involve just simple touch-ups, or it can be thrilling and some other-worldly type of experience that can help connect the audience with the scenes. Visual effects are majorly used in video games, television, advertisements and in VR (virtual reality) as well. The best part of this profession is that you can make art with this, such as integrating computer-generated images or videos to edit and make it look original and believable.

Who is a VFX Artist?

One can become a VFX artist by pursuing a Bachelor of Animation and VFX. VFX artists are highly skilled in creating visual effects. They work hard to generate computer-generated images into live scenes and make the final product believable. Their work is mainly related to post-production, and they use their technical abilities to improve storytelling in a particular scene. Due to visual effects, any scene can evoke emotions or leave a lasting impact on the viewers.

How to Pursue a Career as a VFX Artist?

1.Get Enrolled in a Bachelor's Program

One of the basic steps towards becoming a VFX artist is to get a Bachelor’s in Animation and VFX. This course can help you get a deep understanding related to Animation and VFX. You will learn a wide range of VFX techniques and technologies in the curriculum of this Bachelor's degree. This program contains teachings about 3D modelling, animation principles, composting and much more. You will surely get to align your interests and career goals with this Bachelor's program.

2. Learn and Develop Skills

We have understood that formal education is a necessity to get started in this field. But it is also essential to develop the required skills to become a genuine VFX Artist. VFX artists must be well-versed with different types of software, tools and techniques. These skills may include 3D modelling, texturing, rigging and Animation. Dedicating your time and efforts to practice these skills through your personal projects, online tutorials, or workshops is crucial.

3. Join in an Internship

Once you gain the necessary knowledge and education, it is time to step into the real world. Internships are a great way to get started with your journey in the field of VFX and animation. You will gain invaluable experience in the VFX industry through internships. You can find internships or entry-level positions at production houses or VFX studios. These types of work opportunities can help you work with senior professionals. You can learn a lot about industry-specific workflows along with the skills required for real projects. An internship can later convert to a job role based on your performance and expertise. Consider an internship as a steppingstone towards excellent future prospects.

4. Start Freelancing

Freelancing is growing day by day as individuals can work flexibly as per their time constraints. You can consider freelancing to increase your skills and build a portfolio. Freelancing in VFX and Animation can give you exposure to varied projects ranging from small-scale to larger productions. VFX and Animation are great ways to portray your abilities, attract clients and create an identity for yourself in the industry.

5. Discover Job Roles

After gaining enough experience in internships and freelancing, you should now look for proper job roles in good organizations. VFX is, hands down, a diverse field filled with multiple job opportunities. Each job role requires a specific set of skills and expertise. You can explore numerous job roles such as VFX supervisor, compositor, 3D artist, matte painter and much more. You should research different job roles in the market and develop skills accordingly by considering your strengths and weaknesses.

6. Create a Resume and Apply

Once you have understood the different job roles, you should consider making a resume. You can highlight your educational qualifications, internships and freelance work in your resume. An important tip in making your resume is that you should make your resume job specific. Make your resume filled with skills and abilities tailored to the job role you are applying for.

Skills Needed for a VFX Artist

There is a set of skills that are required to have in a VFX artist. Given are some of the crucial skills needed in this industry:

  • Computer Proficiency
  • Creative Vision
  • Animation
  • 3D Modeling
  • Digital Sculpting
  • Texturing and Shading
  • Rigging
  • Lighting
  • Particle and Fluid Simulation
  • Problem-solving

What is the Work of a VFX Artist?

A VFX artist is tasked with creating computer-generated visual images, videos or elements in film, television, video games and various other channels. They enhance and create entirely new visual experiences. Their tasks include a wide variety of functions, such as:

1. Visual Effects Creation: VFX artists' first and main task is to generate digital or practical effects. These effects are used for challenging or impossible-to-make live-action filming. Visual elements such as explosions, supernatural creatures or magical effects are some of the impacts created by them for movies, series or animations.

2. Asset Creation: VFX artists must create models and texture 3D objects or backgrounds when necessary. They make 2D or 3D assets like characters, props, creatures or environments.

3. Animation: Another essential task that cannot be overlooked is Animation. VFX artists must animate scenes or 3D characters, objects or even backgrounds to match the scene's requirements.

4. Particle and Simulation Effects: They try to create multiple elements such as fire, smoke, explosions, water and more. Simulating physical phenomena such as cloth dynamics, fluid dynamics, or destruction sequences is part of the process.

5. Composting: VFX artists make a combination of live-action footage with a lot of VFX elements with the help of software like Adobe, Nuke or Fusion. They are also tasked with adjusting lighting and color and matching the VFX elements with the footage.

6. Rotoscoping and Tracking: Rotoscoping allows VFX integration to isolate elements within a shot. Tracking means to track camera movement or object motion for smooth VFX integration.

A VFX artist does many more tasks. You will learn about all the tasks in detail with a Bachelor's in VFX and Animation course.

Average Pay of a VFX Artist

The salary of a VFX artist can vary widely based on several factors like performance, company or experience. The average pay of a VFX artist may range between 3LPA to 8LPA. VFX artists with more experience and expertise tend to get higher salaries. VFX studios in Mumbai, Bangalore and Chennai offer high packages to deserving and experienced VFX artists. Hence, there is potential for career growth and high packages as per the experience and expertise in the field.

Being a VFX artist is a journey filled with creativity and technical aspects. We have led down the steps, abilities, some of a VFX artist's major tasks and salary. They play a vital role in shaping and curating visual storytelling movies, games and TV. VFX artists can get a rewarding career and competitive salaries with hard work, skills and dedication.

ITM's Bachelor of Science Honors in Animation and VFX

ITM's Bachelor of Science Honor's in Animation and VFX is a dynamic in the era of digital creativity. Our curriculum combines artistic expression, technical skills, 2D and 3D Animation, VFX techniques and cutting-edge software. Join us and take this opportunity to prepare yourself for an exciting career in gaming, film, advertising and much more. Enroll in ITM today to master visual storytelling by getting a competitive advantage in the world of Animation and VFX.