Want to learn more about the Metaverse? This week, Executive Producer Dave Cullinane will be taking part in a panel discussion on ‘The Metaverse and Me – How to design for the next big leap in gaming’ at Into Games’ Careers Festival. Even better, you can sign up to the event for free!
Tag: VFX
REALTIMERS: Robert Joosten, Lead Character TD
If there’s one thing we love more than VFX, it’s our team. In our new series, REALTIMERS, we are showcasing the people behind the pixels to see what makes them tick.
This month it’s Robert, our Lead Character TD, who moved to Manchester to work at REALTIME and specialises in creating rigs for the team.
Name & job title:
Robert Joosten, Lead Character TD
Where do you fit in?
I set up the rigs for our games and episodic projects. This requires conversations with the modelling, animation, look-dev and CFX teams to make sure that everybody gets what they want, and I will then try navigating all that and pack it into the rig setups. I am also quite keen on tool development which help speed things up and forces consistency throughout all the projects.
How did you get your start in the industry?
I was incredibly lucky to get an internship at an amazing company in Germany called Parasol Island. I met someone there who helped me to get my foot in the door at another company in Munich when it was time for my first “real” job.
Your superpower?
Problem-solving. When something is not right I go straight into fixing mode, in every aspect of my life.
What inspires you on the day-to-day?
Ever since moving to Manchester from London, I have been exploring the outdoors a lot more which is easier to access. Hiking and visiting new places always keeps the mind and body healthy.
My desert Island luxury is:
Sunscreen, I burn easily.
Your soundtrack while working:
Depends on my mood but usually a blend of eurotrash, country, and musical theatre. An eclectic mix!
If you could work with anyone, who?
I would love to do some DIY with my parents. With a lengthy COVID gap where I didn’t get to see them much, it would be great to spend some quality time creating something together.
If not this, then what?
Something in the machine learning space.
Why REALTIME?
I really like the variety of projects. All the different art styles and platforms we work on keeps the job interesting. Being a smaller studio, you get to work really closely with a core team and rely on each others strengths.
People would be surprised that…
I’m Dutch. People can tell something is off by the accent but can never quite guess the country right.
Advice you would give yourself if you were just starting out?
It’s kind of what happened to me by chance, but try and start out at a smaller studio if you can. This will expose you to a lot more elements of the pipeline which will come in handy when you start specializing, as it makes it easier to understand the needs of other departments.
Automotive Reel 2022
We’re excited to share our brand-new reel from our Automotive team! The reel covers all of our recent work from ad campaigns, marketing films, 360 configurators and beautiful CG stills to showcase our wonderful client’s cars.
REALTIME Casts a New Spell on ‘A Discovery of Witches’ Season 3
Some of our lovely team (VFX Supervisor Sue Land, Senior FX Artist, Daniel Lloyd-Wood and Lead VFX Artist Graham Collier) spoke to Digital Media World about the process of making magical FX for the final season of A Discovery of Witches – from crafting concepts to fun target-seeking spells. Read the article here!
REALTIMERS: Sue Land, VFX Supervisor
If there’s one thing we love more than VFX, it’s our team. In our new series, REALTIMERS, we are showcasing the people behind the pixels to see what makes them tick.
This month it’s Sue, who loves a good script and has a photographic memory (which must come in very handy!)
Name & job title:
Sue Land, VFX Supervisor.
Where do you fit in?
As a VFX Supe, I am the creative glue between our client and our inhouse crew.
How did you get your start in the industry?
I was offered a 6 week freelance contract on leaving Art School as an Assistant Graphic Designer at Thames TV. I nearly turned it down as I wanted a staff position, but fortunately decided to take it. At the end of the contract I was made staff and stayed nearly 7 years, learning an important life lesson – take every opportunity that comes your way, you never know where it will lead you.
Your superpower?
I can eat my body weight in chocolate. I wasn’t a natural, it took years of practice.
What inspires you on the day-to-day?
Good scripts and my crew.
My desert island film is:
Apollo 13. I must have seen it 100 times. The VFX have stood the test of time, and if I was stuck on a desert island it would remind me to never give up.
Your soundtrack whilst working:
Apart from the slow tick tock of an ever approaching deadline, that depends on what I am doing. When I am getting into the mindset of a project – silence. Once in the swing of things anything related to the project I am on, sad I know but it keeps me on topic.
If you could work with anyone who?
Fred Moore and Ub Iwerks. Why? Google them and you will know why.
If not this, then what?
This was it. No plan B.
Why REALTIME?
The opportunity to work again with some old friends who love what they do and that shines through in everything they do.
People would be surprised that…
I have a photographic memory, mainly with numbers. Now everyone is going to be testing me!!
Advice you’d give yourself if you were just starting out?
Don’t think about what you can’t do, do what you can do and do it very well.