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Apprenticeship training course

VFX artist or technical director (level 6)

There are 7 training providers who offer this course. Check if a training provider can deliver this training in the apprentice's work location.

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Information about VFX artist or technical director (level 6)

Create content, by producing objects, images or scenes that render together with live footage for the final image.

Knowledge, skills and behaviours
View knowledge, skills and behaviours

Knowledge

  • Core - How to critically analyse and interpret the technical specifications, client requirements, organisational and industry standards and how this evaluation will affect the delivery of the VFX.
  • Core - How photogrammetry, texture reference and scanning impact on the VFX produced.
  • Core - The principles of motion picture photography and the factors that affect the film making process including lenses, composition, light, colour, perspective and scale.
  • Core - Methods used to assess and evaluate VFX processes, tools and workflows to identify limitations, risks and interdependencies, selecting the option that allows for the completion of content within timescales.
  • Core - The utilisation of industry production tracking tools to interpret and track interacting factors on the project.
  • Core - The specialisms and disciplines in the VFX pipeline and how these communicate and interact with each across the VFX development process.
  • Core - Approaches to communication and strategies that can influence others and achieve the production outcome required.
  • Core - The industry and organisational standards that apply when selecting software packages and tools.
  • Core - Approaches used to assess and evaluate potential improvements to packages and tools and how best to collaborate on implementation.
  • Core - How to present work as part of the "dailies" review process, seeking and acting on feedback for the work produced.
  • Core - The practices used to research, test and critically analyse results when trialling the latest advancements in technical VFX tools, concepts and techniques within your department and organisation.
  • Core - The iterative nature of the production and how it can be used to continuously improve and meet the client specification.
  • Core - The formatting requirements of VFX products to enable them to be reviewed effectively and securely. The importance of meeting development timescales and the wider impact this has on the pipeline, business and resources.
  • Core - Scripting and coding languages (e.g Python, MEL, PyMEL, VEX etc.) and their application in VFX production and pipelines.
  • Simulation - Practices used to critically evaluate, select and apply the 3D software required for the simulation of, muscle, cloth, particles and Voxel based dynamics e.g Houdini, Maya.
  • Simulation - How to apply and interpret mathematical and physical principles (e.g Algebra, Vectors, Matrices, Area, Volume, Density, Speed, Velocity, Acceleration) in the context of CG simulations.
  • Simulation - Approaches used to critically analyse and balance real-world physics and the properties of materials against the limitations of the simulation tools or techniques
  • Simulation - How to interpret, convert and apply scale and orientation between different CG software tools.
  • Core - How to critically analyse and interpret the technical specifications, client requirements, organisational and industry standards and how this evaluation will affect the delivery of the VFX.
  • Core - How photogrammetry, texture reference and scanning impact on the VFX produced.
  • Core - The principles of motion picture photography and the factors that affect the film making process including lenses, composition, light, colour, perspective and scale.
  • Core - Methods used to assess and evaluate VFX processes, tools and workflows to identify limitations, risks and interdependencies, selecting the option that allows for the completion of content within timescales.
  • Core - The utilisation of industry production tracking tools to interpret and track interacting factors on the project.
  • Core - The specialisms and disciplines in the VFX pipeline and how these communicate and interact with each across the VFX development process.
  • Core - Approaches to communication and strategies that can influence others and achieve the production outcome required.
  • Core - The industry and organisational standards that apply when selecting software packages and tools.
  • Core - Approaches used to assess and evaluate potential improvements to packages and tools and how best to collaborate on implementation.
  • Core - How to present work as part of the "dailies" review process, seeking and acting on feedback for the work produced.
  • Core - The practices used to research, test and critically analyse results when trialling the latest advancements in technical VFX tools, concepts and techniques within your department and organisation.
  • Core - The iterative nature of the production and how it can be used to continuously improve and meet the client specification.
  • Core - The formatting requirements of VFX products to enable them to be reviewed effectively and securely. The importance of meeting development timescales and the wider impact this has on the pipeline, business and resources.
  • Core - Scripting and coding languages (e.g Python, MEL, PyMEL, VEX etc.) and their application in VFX production and pipelines.
  • Rigging - Practices used to critically evaluate the user interface requirements to meet the animators needs and for technical abstraction of the rig.
  • Rigging - Anatomy and skeletal structures (bones/muscles) and mechanical systems.
  • Rigging - The different deformation systems and how they layer together (blendshapes/lattice/deformers/skinning).
  • Rigging - How the application of modular coding can improve rigs and workflow efficiencies.
  • Rigging - The application of linear algebra; vectors and matrices, to optimise rigging.
  • Core - How to critically analyse and interpret the technical specifications, client requirements, organisational and industry standards and how this evaluation will affect the delivery of the VFX.
  • Core - How photogrammetry, texture reference and scanning impact on the VFX produced.
  • Core - The principles of motion picture photography and the factors that affect the film making process including lenses, composition, light, colour, perspective and scale.
  • Core - Methods used to assess and evaluate VFX processes, tools and workflows to identify limitations, risks and interdependencies, selecting the option that allows for the completion of content within timescales.
  • Core - The utilisation of industry production tracking tools to interpret and track interacting factors on the project.
  • Core - The specialisms and disciplines in the VFX pipeline and how these communicate and interact with each across the VFX development process.
  • Core - Approaches to communication and strategies that can influence others and achieve the production outcome required.
  • Core - The industry and organisational standards that apply when selecting software packages and tools.
  • Core - Approaches used to assess and evaluate potential improvements to packages and tools and how best to collaborate on implementation.
  • Core - How to present work as part of the "dailies" review process, seeking and acting on feedback for the work produced.
  • Core - The practices used to research, test and critically analyse results when trialling the latest advancements in technical VFX tools, concepts and techniques within your department and organisation.
  • Core - The iterative nature of the production and how it can be used to continuously improve and meet the client specification.
  • Core - The formatting requirements of VFX products to enable them to be reviewed effectively and securely. The importance of meeting development timescales and the wider impact this has on the pipeline, business and resources.
  • Core - Scripting and coding languages (e.g Python, MEL, PyMEL, VEX etc.) and their application in VFX production and pipelines.
  • Lighting, Shading and Look Development -The physics of light and the mathematics and coding principles that enable replication of real world phenomena in digital environments.
  • Lighting, Shading and Look Development - The suitability and limitations of different techniques for using light in computer graphics: point, directional, spot, emissive, ambient, diffuse, specular, key light, rim light, fill light etc. in the context of creating the desired mood from the client brief.
  • Lighting, Shading and Look Development - The options for optimising render times, without degradation of the quality required to fulfil the agreed brief for a project.
  • Lighting, Shading and Look Development - The variety of material maps (e.g. displacement, bump, diffuse, specular, roughness etc.) and how they can be applied to achieve the correct 'look' for an object, character or environment.
  • Lighting, Shading and Look Development - The different types of shader (e.g. vertex, pixel, geometry, tessellation, primitive, mesh etc.) and how they can be used to alter the hue, saturation, brightness or contrast of an image; including producing blur, light bloom and volumetric lighting.
  • Core - How to critically analyse and interpret the technical specifications, client requirements, organisational and industry standards and how this evaluation will affect the delivery of the VFX.
  • Core - How photogrammetry, texture reference and scanning impact on the VFX produced.
  • Core - The principles of motion picture photography and the factors that affect the film making process including lenses, composition, light, colour, perspective and scale.
  • Core - Methods used to assess and evaluate VFX processes, tools and workflows to identify limitations, risks and interdependencies, selecting the option that allows for the completion of content within timescales.
  • Core - The utilisation of industry production tracking tools to interpret and track interacting factors on the project.
  • Core - The specialisms and disciplines in the VFX pipeline and how these communicate and interact with each across the VFX development process.
  • Core - Approaches to communication and strategies that can influence others and achieve the production outcome required.
  • Core - The industry and organisational standards that apply when selecting software packages and tools.
  • Core - Approaches used to assess and evaluate potential improvements to packages and tools and how best to collaborate on implementation.
  • Core - How to present work as part of the "dailies" review process, seeking and acting on feedback for the work produced.
  • Core - The practices used to research, test and critically analyse results when trialling the latest advancements in technical VFX tools, concepts and techniques within your department and organisation.
  • Core - The iterative nature of the production and how it can be used to continuously improve and meet the client specification.
  • Core - The formatting requirements of VFX products to enable them to be reviewed effectively and securely. The importance of meeting development timescales and the wider impact this has on the pipeline, business and resources.
  • Core - Scripting and coding languages (e.g Python, MEL, PyMEL, VEX etc.) and their application in VFX production and pipelines.
  • Environments - Practices used to critically evaluate and plan the requirements for 3D modelling, texturing, matte painting, lighting, layout and matchmove to create convincing environments; that are consistent throughout sequences and meet the creative requirements of a project.
  • Environments - Principles of photography and the application of technical aspects e.g. exposure and lenses, and how lighting interacts with surfaces to re-create photo-realistic images.
  • Environments - The application of cinematography and composition theory to form, colour, texture, volume, scale, proportion and mass. How these interact with historical, geographical or environmental references to create convincing landscapes or architecture.
  • Environments - The application of camera science, 2.5D projections and 3D lighting to digitally matte painted textures within computer-generated 3D environments, allowing for 3D camera movement.
  • K33: Environments – The application of VFX terminology relating to colour space such as Linear, Log, rec709 and sRGB colour space.

Skills

  • Core - Interpret the brief and identify tangible assets to meet the specifications. Identify the resources required and any interacting factors, in order to meet the specification.
  • Core - Critically evaluate the brief, checking for any missing information and clarifying the outcomes.
  • Core - Assess and evaluate the VFX processes and workflow required to complete the tasks within timescales, developing a plan for VFX deliverables
  • Core - Take responsibility for competing priorities, multiple stakeholders or projects simultaneously, adapting approach to achieve the required production outcome without impact on relationships or deliverables.
  • Core - Apply industry and organisational standards regarding the selection and use of workflows, software packages and tools.
  • Core - Monitor and evaluate the agreed workflow and methods and make recommendations to improve workflows, packages or tools.
  • Core - Provide VFX work in progress as part of the dailies review process; evaluate and act on feedback to maintain delivery timelines, technical requirements and outputs.
  • Core - Provide information and rationale for the development of organisational policies, standards and procedures such as confidentiality, security, asset storage, legal and regulatory requirements.
  • Core - Apply problem solving techniques to determine the root cause of technical challenges, adapt approach whilst recognising the impact this could have on other workflow stages and departments.
  • Core - Write scripts or code to customise software or pipeline tools, simplify/automate processes or procedurally generate assets. Solve technical or creative problems, improve efficiency and/or reduce errors for the requirements of the project or department.
  • Core - Research and analyse information to keep-up-to date with the new tools, software, data and other related technology. Critically evaluate how they could impact on personal development and the potential wider impact across the department and organisation.
  • Core - Present findings and the wider business implications. Adapt communication style to influence and meet the needs of the audience.
  • Simulation - Analyse and interpret reference or concept art material, to choose the correct simulation technology/technique, and adapting simulations to output art directed motion, that meets client/project requirements.
  • Simulation - Develop or adapt simulation setups to achieve required visual quality while working within the time constraints of the production.
  • Simulation - Create convincing, naturalistic motion though controlled simulation, tailoring simulation as needed to follow client brief.
  • Simulation - Develop programs (shaders) for the purposes of bespoke simulation shading (e.g.VEX / Vops for Mantra).
  • Core - Interpret the brief and identify tangible assets to meet the specifications. Identify the resources required and any interacting factors, in order to meet the specification.
  • Core - Critically evaluate the brief, checking for any missing information and clarifying the outcomes.
  • Core - Assess and evaluate the VFX processes and workflow required to complete the tasks within timescales, developing a plan for VFX deliverables
  • Core - Take responsibility for competing priorities, multiple stakeholders or projects simultaneously, adapting approach to achieve the required production outcome without impact on relationships or deliverables.
  • Core - Apply industry and organisational standards regarding the selection and use of workflows, software packages and tools.
  • Core - Monitor and evaluate the agreed workflow and methods and make recommendations to improve workflows, packages or tools.
  • Core - Provide VFX work in progress as part of the dailies review process; evaluate and act on feedback to maintain delivery timelines, technical requirements and outputs.
  • Core - Provide information and rationale for the development of organisational policies, standards and procedures such as confidentiality, security, asset storage, legal and regulatory requirements.
  • Core - Apply problem solving techniques to determine the root cause of technical challenges, adapt approach whilst recognising the impact this could have on other workflow stages and departments.
  • Core - Write scripts or code to customise software or pipeline tools, simplify/automate processes or procedurally generate assets. Solve technical or creative problems, improve efficiency and/or reduce errors for the requirements of the project or department.
  • Core - Research and analyse information to keep-up-to date with the new tools, software, data and other related technology. Critically evaluate how they could impact on personal development and the potential wider impact across the department and organisation.
  • Core - Present findings and the wider business implications. Adapt communication style to influence and meet the needs of the audience.
  • Rigging - Critically analyse and evaluate body shape to select the correct anatomical structure.
  • Rigging - Critically assess rigging issues and develop modular scripts to problem solve and automate the rigging process.
  • Rigging - Evaluate, select and apply different deformers to create natural deformations in characters and change the positions of vertices in a parent mesh.
  • Rigging - Assess the animator’s user interface requirements and collaborate with animators to optimise the rig for speed and control.
  • Core - Interpret the brief and identify tangible assets to meet the specifications. Identify the resources required and any interacting factors, in order to meet the specification.
  • Core - Critically evaluate the brief, checking for any missing information and clarifying the outcomes.
  • Core - Assess and evaluate the VFX processes and workflow required to complete the tasks within timescales, developing a plan for VFX deliverables
  • Core - Take responsibility for competing priorities, multiple stakeholders or projects simultaneously, adapting approach to achieve the required production outcome without impact on relationships or deliverables.
  • Core - Apply industry and organisational standards regarding the selection and use of workflows, software packages and tools.
  • Core - Monitor and evaluate the agreed workflow and methods and make recommendations to improve workflows, packages or tools.
  • Core - Provide VFX work in progress as part of the dailies review process; evaluate and act on feedback to maintain delivery timelines, technical requirements and outputs.
  • Core - Provide information and rationale for the development of organisational policies, standards and procedures such as confidentiality, security, asset storage, legal and regulatory requirements.
  • Core - Apply problem solving techniques to determine the root cause of technical challenges, adapt approach whilst recognising the impact this could have on other workflow stages and departments.
  • Core - Write scripts or code to customise software or pipeline tools, simplify/automate processes or procedurally generate assets. Solve technical or creative problems, improve efficiency and/or reduce errors for the requirements of the project or department.
  • Core - Research and analyse information to keep-up-to date with the new tools, software, data and other related technology. Critically evaluate how they could impact on personal development and the potential wider impact across the department and organisation.
  • Core - Present findings and the wider business implications. Adapt communication style to influence and meet the needs of the audience.
  • Lighting, Shading and Look Development - Utilise or modify shaders to achieve photorealistic or stylised 'neutral renders' of assets that meet the 'look' outlined in the brief.
  • Lighting, Shading and Look Development - Analyse requirements and create lighting templates for scenes or sequences that can be utilised by other artists during shot production.
  • Lighting, Shading and Look Development - Deliver lighting shots that work within the given render budget on a particular production.
  • Lighting, Shading and Look Development - Work with texture and groom artists on the development of the texture maps and/or the hair and fur of an asset; taking responsibility for ensuring that all assets work within the lighting and colour pipeline requirements of a particular production.
  • Lighting, Shading and Look Development - Evaluate the technical specifications of the production to define and produce the render passes required.
  • Core - Interpret the brief and identify tangible assets to meet the specifications. Identify the resources required and any interacting factors, in order to meet the specification.
  • Core - Critically evaluate the brief, checking for any missing information and clarifying the outcomes.
  • Core - Assess and evaluate the VFX processes and workflow required to complete the tasks within timescales, developing a plan for VFX deliverables
  • Core - Take responsibility for competing priorities, multiple stakeholders or projects simultaneously, adapting approach to achieve the required production outcome without impact on relationships or deliverables.
  • Core - Apply industry and organisational standards regarding the selection and use of workflows, software packages and tools.
  • Core - Monitor and evaluate the agreed workflow and methods and make recommendations to improve workflows, packages or tools.
  • Core - Provide VFX work in progress as part of the dailies review process; evaluate and act on feedback to maintain delivery timelines, technical requirements and outputs.
  • Core - Provide information and rationale for the development of organisational policies, standards and procedures such as confidentiality, security, asset storage, legal and regulatory requirements.
  • Core - Apply problem solving techniques to determine the root cause of technical challenges, adapt approach whilst recognising the impact this could have on other workflow stages and departments.
  • Core - Write scripts or code to customise software or pipeline tools, simplify/automate processes or procedurally generate assets. Solve technical or creative problems, improve efficiency and/or reduce errors for the requirements of the project or department.
  • Core - Research and analyse information to keep-up-to date with the new tools, software, data and other related technology. Critically evaluate how they could impact on personal development and the potential wider impact across the department and organisation.
  • Core - Present findings and the wider business implications. Adapt communication style to influence and meet the needs of the audience.
  • Environments - Apply 3D modelling techniques to layout the scene for camera. Create, refine and correct geometry and integrate assets and textures, ensuring that all assets work within the lighting and colour pipeline requirements of a particular production.
  • Environments - Assess lighting requirements including position and distance of light, shadows, style of lighting for internal or external scenes, day or night and depth of lighting e.g. directional, ambient, spot or volume.
  • Environments - Analyse, select and create detailed and convincing textures free of artefacts that represent real-world surfaces, traits or imperfections.
  • Environments - Evaluate and apply the artistic techniques and/or the 2D (e.g Nuke & Photoshop) and 3D packages (e.g. Blender, Maya, ZBrush & Houdini) and tools to create and layer images. Embed landscapes and architecture seamlessly into scenes.
  • Environments - Research, source, evaluate and select images to meet the technical requirements of the scene.

Behaviours

  • Teamwork and Partnership – Works collaboratively with stakeholders and colleagues, developing strong working relationships to achieve common goals. Adopt a flexible approach to working with others and promote mutual respect.
  • Accountability - Acts professionally when carrying out daily work, actively encourages and supports colleagues, setting personal goals and high performance standards for self. Committed to prioritising and completing work within a set timeframe and to industry standards. Adapts positively to changing work priorities and patterns, ensuring deadlines continue to be met.
  • Quality focus that promotes continuous improvement, innovation and creativity to the VFX development process.
  • Problem solving - Uses initiative to identify issues quickly; enjoys solving complex problems at the root cause and applying appropriate and/or creative solutions.
  • Self-development - Overcomes problems through a process of reflection and review and by undertaking continuous professional development (CPD) in order to utilise new technological advances in the sector.
  • Teamwork and Partnership – Works collaboratively with stakeholders and colleagues, developing strong working relationships to achieve common goals. Adopt a flexible approach to working with others and promote mutual respect.
  • Accountability - Acts professionally when carrying out daily work, actively encourages and supports colleagues, setting personal goals and high performance standards for self. Committed to prioritising and completing work within a set timeframe and to industry standards. Adapts positively to changing work priorities and patterns, ensuring deadlines continue to be met.
  • Quality focus that promotes continuous improvement, innovation and creativity to the VFX development process.
  • Problem solving - Uses initiative to identify issues quickly; enjoys solving complex problems at the root cause and applying appropriate and/or creative solutions.
  • Self-development - Overcomes problems through a process of reflection and review and by undertaking continuous professional development (CPD) in order to utilise new technological advances in the sector.
  • Teamwork and Partnership – Works collaboratively with stakeholders and colleagues, developing strong working relationships to achieve common goals. Adopt a flexible approach to working with others and promote mutual respect.
  • Accountability - Acts professionally when carrying out daily work, actively encourages and supports colleagues, setting personal goals and high performance standards for self. Committed to prioritising and completing work within a set timeframe and to industry standards. Adapts positively to changing work priorities and patterns, ensuring deadlines continue to be met.
  • Quality focus that promotes continuous improvement, innovation and creativity to the VFX development process.
  • Problem solving - Uses initiative to identify issues quickly; enjoys solving complex problems at the root cause and applying appropriate and/or creative solutions.
  • Self-development - Overcomes problems through a process of reflection and review and by undertaking continuous professional development (CPD) in order to utilise new technological advances in the sector.
  • Teamwork and Partnership – Works collaboratively with stakeholders and colleagues, developing strong working relationships to achieve common goals. Adopt a flexible approach to working with others and promote mutual respect.
  • Accountability - Acts professionally when carrying out daily work, actively encourages and supports colleagues, setting personal goals and high performance standards for self. Committed to prioritising and completing work within a set timeframe and to industry standards. Adapts positively to changing work priorities and patterns, ensuring deadlines continue to be met.
  • Quality focus that promotes continuous improvement, innovation and creativity to the VFX development process.
  • Problem solving - Uses initiative to identify issues quickly; enjoys solving complex problems at the root cause and applying appropriate and/or creative solutions.
  • Self-development - Overcomes problems through a process of reflection and review and by undertaking continuous professional development (CPD) in order to utilise new technological advances in the sector.
Apprenticeship category (sector)
Creative and design
Qualification level
6
Equal to degree
Course duration
18 months
Maximum funding
£11,000
Maximum government funding for
apprenticeship training and assessment costs.
Job titles include
  • Crowd Technical Director
  • Lighting Technical Director
  • FX Technical Director
  • Environment Technical Director
  • Creature FX Technical Director
  • Rigging Technical Director
  • Texture Artist
  • Look Development Artist

View more information about VFX artist or technical director (level 6) from the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education.