Starting With Done | Episode 0001

  The subject of Roto / Paint can begin in many areas. Many start with the history: Max Fleischer, 1915, rear projecting easel, etc. Mike Seymour of FX Guide provides an excellent overview on The Art of Roto. The discussion moves on to current techniques, software, and examples. I believe the place to start is at the end. In other words, every artist from junior to senior should start with one question...

Is It "Done"?

  It sounds obviously strange to ask "Is it done?" before a project or task begins. But the "done" in this question influences every aspect of the craft from start to "Final". Before even one Roto/Paint artist is hired, the Movie Studio will ask a VFX Studio how long each shot will take. A bidding producer will estimate an answer. If the show is awarded, the VFX studio uses this estimate to determine when they want the shots to be done. When they want the shots to be done affects how many people are hired and how much time each artist can take per shot. The time it takes per shot directly relates to the scope of the tasks, a clear definition of the tasks, the skill of the artist(s), the size of the crew, and the level of quality the Movie and VFX Studios expects.
  At every step, everyone is asking variations of this one question:

• When can we have it done?
• When do you want it done?
• Can we have more time to get it done?
• Can we get more people to get it done?
• Do I think this shot is done?
• Would my coworkers think this shot is done?
• Would the Roto/Paint Lead think this shot is done?
• Would the Compositor think this shot is done?
• Would the Compositing Supe think this shot is done?
• Would the VFX Supes think this shot is done?
• Would the Studio think this shot is done?

  That's a lot of questions (and answers) to remember! If you are new to VFX, don't worry about remembering everything. The takeaway is to keep the question "Is it done?" in your mind. If you are years into the profession, then try to comprehend as many of the definitions of "done" as possible. This knowledge will guide your approach to each shot.