A day at the Studio

# 1 10-10-2010 , 09:17 PM

Lead Modeler - Framestore
Join Date: Feb 2003

Location: UK

Posts: 6,287

Hey Guys and Gals

I thought I'd do an insight of a day or my day as a Senior Modeler at the Studio just so you get an idea of the sort of thing that goes on on a daily basis in a typical studio environment.

So to begin with its the usual early morning at the coffee machine to get the 'engine' started as sometimes we do have to work late depending on the schedule.

Once the modelling and texturing team arrives or some days finding myself arriving after them, I usually greet them as a whole and then go around and speak to them individually about the work they are doing and discuss problems they may have with their models and help improve them. I also make sure that the guys doing the texturing are kept uptodate and also discuss how they may want model uvs to spread out across the board before they get their hands on it. Texture artists I have found also like to have a fiddle with UVs even after a modeller has done a good job on them. I have also found on previous jobs that you get the odd one or two modellers that are very reliant on auto uv scripts or plugins and are very lazy or reluctant to even attempt doing them properly, it is actually bad practice in my opinion for a modeller not to know good UV mapping. So if you ever work with me as your senior, beware! LOL I will make you redo them!

I then discuss any ideas and probs that may arise with the CG supervisor and also apply a little pressure at production to get as much reference and info for modelling and texturing to enable us to do our jobs properly without to much hassle.

Throughout the duration of the day, we are usually in the 'zone' modelling and texturing with our headphones on and itunes constantly pumping!! With of course refuelling with caffeine in the interim. Fuel stops usually follow with another discussion with the team on how they are doing. I also run a checklist of what people are doing thats updated throughout the day, so once a model is done then it gets crossed of the list and a new one is assigned. I'll then make sure that production is made aware of any changes before they badger me as to whats going on. This I have found keeps everyone very happy. I always try to be a step ahead. The new models then get a thorough going over by myself, before they are actually handed to texturing. Im looking for strange edge flow, unmerged geo, and all that type of stuff. We have implemented better versions of Maya cleanup tools into a GUI for the modellers to use, but they sometimes dont use them in their eagerness to get stuff out and onto the next thing, so I have to check this stuff over, and of course if Im not happy I will give it back to the modeller with specific instructions to sort the model out. If Im still not happy then I'll deal with the model myself.

Once a version of any model is complete it is then rendered as a 360 degree turntable (usually in Occlusion) and this is then sent off for review to the director and VFX Supers and producers to see if its looking like it needs to. Changes are usually quite minimal, though can be time consuming depending on the actual change required, as things can have a knock on effect on other model parts.

I am also in constant check with the TDs who are running the pipeline and any problems or ideas to help things along are discussed and things are put into motion pretty much straight away. Myself or the texture lead are given stuff to test as well just before scripts are rolled out to the whole team to iron out any bugs before hand, again we also discuss and throw ideas back to help make the scripts better.

The day also consists of looking at concept art for the film so it helps keep a mindset as to what we need to aim at style wise. I find it very useful too to pull the guys away from the screen and get fresh eyes too, as we all know how working on the pc can get.

Pretty much everyday is like this as a routine but the great thing about it is that although we are modelling, each different model does present its own problems, from the early concept right thru to the final object. I use the term 'final' very loosely as its only finished once its on the screen.

anyway I hope this gives a fairly good insight to what I face on a daily basis....

cheers
Jay

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# 2 10-10-2010 , 09:48 PM

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very useful for artist like me trying to get into the industry more seriously | user added image

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# 3 10-10-2010 , 11:15 PM

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Sounds like just what I do Jay!!! Except I get the 'final' models from the design Engineers and change them on the fly. Though it has been easy in the Metro area weather wise I have the distinction of doing what you do in 50°c heat LOL.

I can see similarities however in the way you have to go over the data...even when people supposedly do a good job...there are always glitches.

Nice insight on your profession though mate...interesting indeed.

cheers bullet

bullet1968

"A Darkness at Sethanon", a book I aspire to model some of the charcters and scenes

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# 4 11-10-2010 , 11:24 AM

Head of 3d Admedia
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cant wait to hire people so that i can tell them do this do that..... user added image

say jay what company do you work for

Last edited by murambi; 11-10-2010 at 12:50 PM.

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# 5 11-10-2010 , 11:34 AM

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From personal experience murambi...it aint pretty. Unfortunately despite your best efforts, with some people...you end up doing the job a lot yourself...which of course reduces production and your quality...and your own time..unless it is structured to avoid this. LOL and when the big PINEAPPLE comes out...its the Captain whom receives it in the rear end...LOL. I have 3 kids at home..young men who need to be told this and that all the time LOL but when you get to Jay or myself position..well its like 20 people etc...LOL you might not be so enthusiastic when you get there mate...which I know you will...

Planning murambi is the key....but you have to be good at changing direction all the time mate......it goes with the job. Good luck to you when you get there though mate....

cheers bullet

bullet1968

"A Darkness at Sethanon", a book I aspire to model some of the charcters and scenes

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# 6 11-10-2010 , 12:17 PM

The Nurb Herd
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we have the exact same day up until the coffee in the morning. user added image

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# 7 11-10-2010 , 12:39 PM

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Coffee for some...then Toolbox (saefty) then read JHA's job hazard analysis, then more safety. Kudo's and well wishes to the men in the mine.....some of them may be artists.

Cheers bullet

bullet1968

"A Darkness at Sethanon", a book I aspire to model some of the charcters and scenes

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# 8 11-10-2010 , 06:57 PM

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Great post! Thanks for the inside info, Jay.

-stwert

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# 9 11-10-2010 , 10:34 PM

Lead Modeler - Framestore
Join Date: Feb 2003

Location: UK

Posts: 6,287

glad its of use.

Its 11.30pm here and Ive actually just got in from work. We had a 3 hour discussion about pipeline changes from modelling thru to comp

cheers
Jay

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# 10 12-10-2010 , 09:18 AM

The Nurb Herd
Join Date: Oct 2007

Location: London

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is it quite a new company jay?

...I could write something about my day, I'm a generalist so its a little different. I'm also not in charge of any teams user added image

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# 11 12-10-2010 , 09:32 AM

Lead Modeler - Framestore
Join Date: Feb 2003

Location: UK

Posts: 6,287

No mate,

its just a new building but we are the film division. The otherside is TV.

I think it would be good if you write about your day, as it from a different perspective.

Cheers
Jay

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# 12 12-10-2010 , 10:00 AM

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1130 pm Jay!!! jeez mate that makes for a long day!!

cheers bullet

bullet1968

"A Darkness at Sethanon", a book I aspire to model some of the charcters and scenes

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# 13 12-10-2010 , 10:14 AM

Lead Modeler - Framestore
Join Date: Feb 2003

Location: UK

Posts: 6,287

Well it was made worse as I had to get a flight yesterday morning to work and had been up since 3.30am LOL so it was a very very long day

J

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# 14 12-10-2010 , 10:27 AM

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Ouch....Im hearin ya mate...done that a few times. Worst part is when you go from cool weather to the Northwest over here...50c° and dry as a camels fart LOL...should be a law against mate eh??

cheers bullet

bullet1968

"A Darkness at Sethanon", a book I aspire to model some of the charcters and scenes

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# 15 12-10-2010 , 04:55 PM

Head of 3d Admedia
Join Date: May 2007

Location: nairobi , ken-ya

Posts: 1,340

Well it was made worse as I had to get a flight yesterday morning to work and had been up since 3.30am LOL so it was a very very long day

Originally Posted by

so how exactly do you get time to do this other stuff like outlaws comic if most of your days are like this