First steps from 3D Generalist/Animator to VFX for video games industry

Mattar_Ahmd

Hi guys,

I hope you enjoying your day but I really need some help and a lot of advices.
I'm a 3D generalist and animator, I have worked on many many projects like a short animation film, stop motion film and motion design video but I'm really interesting by video game's vfx.

Please would you help to improve and advice me from where should I start?
If there's tutorials that I should follow, would you mention them.
I really appreciate your help

PS: here's the link of one of the projects that I worked on. It date May 2014.

Mark Dygert

I respect how much effort went into making that short and the general level of knowledge required to pull that off is pretty sizeable so you know quite a bit, but I'm still not sure exactly how much you contributed to which parts? SO I can't critique your individual contributions. Which isn't good because I'm left not knowing what skill level you're at and if you could do the job I need to you do. 

That is the main question your reel is answering. "Does my reel show the skills they are looking for?"

I wouldn't use that as your personal reel, maybe the pieces you worked on, in abstract just to show what you did, in a truncated format. 

With a demo reel you have 10-15 seconds to sell the viewer on the next 10-15 sec, so you're editing needs to be more like a music video with a clear indication of what you did.

 

Marshkin

Get in an engine, like Unreal 4, and start making VFX in there. People need to feel confident that you can technically make the transition into a game engine, and work within it's constraints. 

I agree with Mark - In the video above, just highlight the segments you worked on. 

Mattar_Ahmd

Mark Dygert said:

I respect how much effort went into making that short and the general level of knowledge required to pull that off is pretty sizeable so you know quite a bit, but I'm still not sure exactly how much you contributed to which parts? SO I can't critique your individual contributions. Which isn't good because I'm left not knowing what skill level you're at and if you could do the job I need to you do. 

That is the main question your reel is answering. "Does my reel show the skills they are looking for?"

I wouldn't use that as your personal reel, maybe the pieces you worked on, in abstract just to show what you did, in a truncated format. 

With a demo reel you have 10-15 seconds to sell the viewer on the next 10-15 sec, so you're editing needs to be more like a music video with a clear indication of what you did.

 

Thank you Mark for your reply. What I really worked on this project except the conceptual part is the modelling and the animation.

But during my cursus, I have worked on everything: modelling, texturing, rigging, morphing, animation, lighting, rendering and compositing. Then, I found that vfx fascinating me and I will work on it as hard as I can!

Mattar_Ahmd

Marshkin said:

Get in an engine, like Unreal 4, and start making VFX in there. People need to feel confident that you can technically make the transition into a game engine, and work within it's constraints. 

I agree with Mark - In the video above, just highlight the segments you worked on. 

Thank you so much Marshkin for your advice. I'm thinking to start on Unity 3D this week end. At first, I didn't knew with which software start, Unity 3D or UE but after some research on internet, I found that most of people start with Unity 3D.

If it will be disturbing you, can you advice me? Tell me about the difference betwenn both?

Thank you

Marshkin

Ohh that is a loaded question. Both engines have their strengths and weaknesses. I've personally only worked with Unreal since I find it easier to learn and use since I lack a programming foundation. 

I decided to do a little research and found this video interesting; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UoxgotYTb_Q
It's a comparison of how both engines tackle 2D games.

And old DT blog article also covered this pretty well;
http://blog.digitaltutors.com/unreal-engine-4-vs-unity-game-engine-best/

Bruno Afonseca

Watch this: http://www.gdcvault.com/play/1017660/Technical-Artist-Bootcamp-The-VFX
Join this: http://www.realtimevfx.com

Mattar_Ahmd

Bruno Afonseca said:

Watch this: http://www.gdcvault.com/play/1017660/Technical-Artist-Bootcamp-The-VFX
Join this: http://www.realtimevfx.com

Thank you buddy !

Mattar_Ahmd

Marshkin said:

Ohh that is a loaded question. Both engines have their strengths and weaknesses. I've personally only worked with Unreal since I find it easier to learn and use since I lack a programming foundation. 

I decided to do a little research and found this video interesting; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UoxgotYTb_Q
It's a comparison of how both engines tackle 2D games.

And old DT blog article also covered this pretty well;
http://blog.digitaltutors.com/unreal-engine-4-vs-unity-game-engine-best/

Thank you so much !!