Q n A (Questions posed by MIDDS students to Red Chillies.VFX Arjun Mitra)

If we want to apply for the post of VFX artist in Red Chillies, knowledge of which software is necessary before applying?

Compositing software's like - Shake, Digital Fusion and After Effects, specialised software like 3D Vue, Massive and tracking software.

Which 3D packages do you use?

Basically, Max and Maya are used.

Do we need to learn Softimage XSI too with Maya and MAX?

We do ask for Softimage XSI in Red Chilies, but it's not necessary to have a specialization in it. We have got few artists who know Houdini.

So you rely more on Compositing software rather than 3D Packages?

No, not at all, every studio has different production pipeline and so are their priorities for software.

In OSO fire effects have a major contribution. Why did you implement compositing fire rather than 3D packages while 3D packages can give realistic effects too?

You're right, but rendering consumes more time, and you can achieve the same effect more drastically and faster through compositing software.

What was the deadline for OSO, for your VFX team?

The deadline was of 3 months.

Any suggestions for future VFX artists?

Software is just a tool that we learn, but technique is something that is essential to execute that tool. Observance and patience are the main aspects in VFX and you need to be perfect in your basic knowledge.

Software is the tool that we learn, but technique is such a tool that you have to utilize in that software. Observance and patience are the main aspects in VFX and you need to be perfect in your basic knowledge.