So last I left you I had said I decided to not apply for jobs in LA in order to stay in Vancouver long enough to shoot a short for someone. After speaking to my producer friend, Phil, he told me to just apply for jobs in LA and if I get a job in LA then we can work something out with the producer of the short (Gabriel). Most likely I'd fly back on the days we do auditions and shoot. This sounds like a great idea to me. Especially since I will be running out of money quite soon if I don't find a way to get more income.
So without a job, I give myself two more months in Vancouver. I really want a job in LA. I might not find a job in a while though. Right now it's slow season when it comes to work. Companies will begin ramping up probably around April.
Also, Rhythm & Hues (one of the oldest and largest VFX houses) is going under. Not good. This week they already laid off around 200 people in LA and more will come by the end of the week. People in Vancouver are also going to be let go quite soon. So there's now a lot more people I'd be competing with for a job and also way less jobs to choose from. It's going to be a tough season.
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Friday, February 8, 2013
It's been a while
So I noticed that it has been a long time since I last updated this blog. Not sure if anyone is still interested in reading it but I figured I'd update this thing anyway. Although I won't be able to say how often I would be posting but seeing as how I am still in Canada, my adventure in Canadaland continues.
Last I left you, I was in school about to finish up my reel. Well, I finished school about a year ago. If you would like to check out the reel that I completed while at school you can go to my website and click on the VFX Reel tab. On my website there are other reels I have put together since then. I want to update the site so that it looks more appealing, but for now it will have to do.
Straight out of school I started working at Image Engine, the VFX studio that did most of the work on District 9. I worked there for 11 months. My title was Matchmove Artist. Matchmove basically means recreating the camera that was on set in the digital world so that CG elements appear to have been shot on set. I also had to track objects on the live action plate that needed to be replaced/augmented in 3D. If you would like to read a better description of what match move is you can read up on it here. While working at Image Engine I worked on four feature films.
Zero Dark Thirty (2012)
Elysium (2013)
R.I.P.D. (2013)
Fast & Furious 6 (2013)
It was really fun and super cool to be able to work on features. The first shot I ever worked on had Matt Damon in it - that is pretty sweet.
After working at Image Engine for almost a year, I now find myself unemployed. My contracted ended a week ago (Feb 1st). I have been using this past week to put together a new reel (on my website under FX Reel), and have been working on a short that I shot in October. The 2 minute short is more of a proof of concept for a much longer 20 minute short I want to shoot (possibly during the summer). I hope to have the short finished in the next couple months. A lot of VFX work is still needed and that takes a long time to get right.
The last couple of times I have applied for jobs I applied to both jobs in both LA and Vancouver. Where ever I got a job would determine where I moved. Image Engine extended my contract on all those occasions so I stayed in Vancouver. However, this time while looking for work I don't think I will apply to any studios in Los Angeles - and it bums me out. The reason is that I may have a small directing gig lined up within the next few months. I will be working on an independent feature produced by Triton Films. The feature is going to be broken up into 8 or so chapters, and I will direct one of these chapters. I have met with the producer/president of the company and it seems like a cool opportunity. Plus I would be able to play with someone else's money. The producer used to work with Neil Blomkamp back in the day, and has sold his last three films to Lionsgate. The gig is unpaid, but I own a part of the film, so if he sells it then I make money on the back end. I spoke with the producer and everything seems good to go. I just am waiting on a contract. So if that comes in then that will be my next project.
This means that I, sadly, can't leave Canada right now. I have to find another job in Vancouver while I work on this film. I feel like the film is an opportunity I can't turn down. It will be a valuable learning experience for me. Maybe it will lead to something bigger and better. I've been meaning to move back to LA for a while now, so we'll see what happens after this gig.
Well, I feel I have gone on long enough. Until next time.
Last I left you, I was in school about to finish up my reel. Well, I finished school about a year ago. If you would like to check out the reel that I completed while at school you can go to my website and click on the VFX Reel tab. On my website there are other reels I have put together since then. I want to update the site so that it looks more appealing, but for now it will have to do.
Straight out of school I started working at Image Engine, the VFX studio that did most of the work on District 9. I worked there for 11 months. My title was Matchmove Artist. Matchmove basically means recreating the camera that was on set in the digital world so that CG elements appear to have been shot on set. I also had to track objects on the live action plate that needed to be replaced/augmented in 3D. If you would like to read a better description of what match move is you can read up on it here. While working at Image Engine I worked on four feature films.
Zero Dark Thirty (2012)
Elysium (2013)
R.I.P.D. (2013)
Fast & Furious 6 (2013)
It was really fun and super cool to be able to work on features. The first shot I ever worked on had Matt Damon in it - that is pretty sweet.
After working at Image Engine for almost a year, I now find myself unemployed. My contracted ended a week ago (Feb 1st). I have been using this past week to put together a new reel (on my website under FX Reel), and have been working on a short that I shot in October. The 2 minute short is more of a proof of concept for a much longer 20 minute short I want to shoot (possibly during the summer). I hope to have the short finished in the next couple months. A lot of VFX work is still needed and that takes a long time to get right.
The last couple of times I have applied for jobs I applied to both jobs in both LA and Vancouver. Where ever I got a job would determine where I moved. Image Engine extended my contract on all those occasions so I stayed in Vancouver. However, this time while looking for work I don't think I will apply to any studios in Los Angeles - and it bums me out. The reason is that I may have a small directing gig lined up within the next few months. I will be working on an independent feature produced by Triton Films. The feature is going to be broken up into 8 or so chapters, and I will direct one of these chapters. I have met with the producer/president of the company and it seems like a cool opportunity. Plus I would be able to play with someone else's money. The producer used to work with Neil Blomkamp back in the day, and has sold his last three films to Lionsgate. The gig is unpaid, but I own a part of the film, so if he sells it then I make money on the back end. I spoke with the producer and everything seems good to go. I just am waiting on a contract. So if that comes in then that will be my next project.
This means that I, sadly, can't leave Canada right now. I have to find another job in Vancouver while I work on this film. I feel like the film is an opportunity I can't turn down. It will be a valuable learning experience for me. Maybe it will lead to something bigger and better. I've been meaning to move back to LA for a while now, so we'll see what happens after this gig.
Well, I feel I have gone on long enough. Until next time.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)