Im not sure how to answer this question.

NikhilR

This was actually asked during an application.



I'd like to think that I'm experienced enough, but until I look over what they want me to do exactly with the program in studio on the job, the self-assessment of me being a "rockstar" makes me wonder what exactly they are looking for in their artists?

I also feel like an egotistical prick to have to admit that I'm secretly a rockstar, and usually I'm quite realistic about what can be expected of me.
How would you answer this?

Also you can switch the word rockstar with samurai, ninja, top tier, superman, hulk, iron man, boss baby, wizard, char aznable, amuro ray, unicorn gundam, NZ 666 Kshatriya. etc 


Kinda reminds me of this weird scene from Devils Advocate
https://youtu.be/2GzPEq-tqGA?t=61

Eric Chadwick

Are you really though? I've been using 3ds Max in production pipelines since it was first built, and I still have barely scratched many aspects of the program. I'd honestly say I'm about a 7 or an 8.

NikhilR

Eric Chadwick said:

Are you really though? I've been using 3ds Max in production pipelines since it was first built, and I still have barely scratched many aspects of the program. I'd honestly say I'm about a 7 or an 8.

Of course not, I mean I would likely say 7-8 myself, but I really don't understand what exactly they stand to learn from me answering this question with a arbitrary number on a scale.
 All I know is what I read in the advert, so in that sense I feel I'm qualified for what is expected.

For instance I went with,
"I feel that I'd have sufficient experience using the program for the task I'm assigned, and I am always ready to learn any workflows your pipeline requires."

The word "rockstar" though, I've no idea if anyone anywhere on the scale qualifies to be what that word actually means. Even the best artists are constantly learning and this question just feels weird.

But I'm guessing they're just being trendy?

Taylor Brown

Honestly, I think it's just to weed out applicants who don't have the software experience (1) or have an overblown sense of their ability (10). Its just a small indicator and I'm sure the rest of the questions help build a shallow profile of an applicant when taken as a whole.

I cant imagine a working professional actually putting 10 and not feeling like a bit of a dweeb, for the very reason Eric mentioned

Alex_J

overthinking this.

"I'm well versed enough in the software to be able to make accurate time estimates before I start a job, and I also have a good idea whats in the program that I don't know about."

" I know the software well enough to teach others how to use it. "

etc.  saying something specific to the software maybe is good too.

"I typically do my character workflow using x,y, and z tools. But if its this type of model then I may use a,b, and c tools"

maybe better still is link your rockstar tutorials on youtube so they can be shown rather than told.

NikhilR

Alex Javor said:

overthinking this.

"I'm well versed enough in the software to be able to make accurate time estimates before I start a job, and I also have a good idea whats in the program that I don't know about."

" I know the software well enough to teach others how to use it. "

etc.  saying something specific to the software maybe is good too.

"I typically do my character workflow using x,y, and z tools. But if its this type of model then I may use a,b, and c tools"

maybe better still is link your rockstar tutorials on youtube so they can be shown rather than told.

Thinking its time I wore my rockstar mask,

Barbarian

My response:

Which version of Maya with which Service Packs (8, 8.5, 2009, . . . 2020)? Does that include how much MEL and Python I know how to use? I've got dozens of scripts running to speed up my workflow--are you referring to "Vanilla Envelope Maya?" Does this include knowing how to debug Maya issues? Do I deduct a point from the rating because I hated it when GoZ support waffled and Autodesk changed the render layer setup. Do I have to deduct points for knowing Mental Ray like the back of my hand and they switched to Arnold? Do I deduct a point because I still like to use the SplitPolygon tool? I'm not going to even bring up rigging and skinning changes.I cringe when Autodesk claims they simplified a process (the learning curve just dumbed me down a point). Shaders, Particles, Fluid Effects, Rigging, Skinning, Animating, Batch Rendering, . . .

Anyone with fewer than fiver years full-time experience using Maya that claims a score higher than 7 is bullshitting big time.

Now, if they asked to rate your modeling skill in Maya--the answer would be different. But a simple glance at some models would answer than question.

Eric Chadwick

Ok so Barbarian is a 2, got it.

Barbarian

Barbarians are uncivilized, uncultured, and tribal. We score a 10 for swordsmanship and drinking concoctions that would make a Bill Goat puke, although in modern times we prefer bourbon. We are not into memes. If I got .01 point for every time Maya crashed at a crucial time during the past dozen years my score would be closer to 90. The only way a barbarian could be a "rock star" is by getting besotted and banging on drums.

But barbarians accept their awards from the civilized world honorably. Maya Badge of "2" will  be worn with pride. Better than a 1.

rollin

I'm a rockstar at not being a rockstar if this counts.
And honestly I would have answered something like "Don't know if I'm a rockstar but I'm using the software for x years now regularly for xyz"
If they don't think this is more useful then.. well

poopipe

Any time I see someone self rate their ability in software on a CV I laugh at them and I know I'm not alone. 

Biomag

poopipe said:

Any time I see someone self rate their ability in software on a CV I laugh at them and I know I'm not alone. 

While I'm joining the laugh at the same time I do cringe more than just a bit when I see the question asked by recruiters/companies... and no, its not just small/inexperienced studios doing it... and on the other hand I guess we are already used this level of profiency from HR-departments all around the industries...

NikhilR

Biomag said:

poopipe said:

Any time I see someone self rate their ability in software on a CV I laugh at them and I know I'm not alone. 

While I'm joining the laugh at the same time I do cringe more than just a bit when I see the question asked by recruiters/companies... and no, its not just small/inexperienced studios doing it... and on the other hand I guess we are already used this level of profiency from HR-departments all around the industries...

I'm not sure what information they glean from asking a question like this, but this happens a lot in corporations where they usually don't bother updating their process. 
I do feel the higher up's there can influence change by bringing this up internally since I think this ask is to help them understand the level of potential applicants?

Alex_J

The question is asked in a way that it's only valuable to gauge personality. It indicates a persons subjective level of self-confidence, but won't provide anything useful beyond that

more useful would be: you receive xgen hair and your task is to convert it to game ready version. Target platform is unreal, textures must conform to x and y standards, etc etc. Describe your overall workflow. Be specific about how you backup and organize your files.

point is, it's something specific that will demonstrate how a person does important things like organizes a project, thinks about teamwork and communication, and understands what tools are available to use in the program. Like in this case, if the person knows a couple ways to convert the xgen curves to geo then you know specifically what they know about the program.

and you don't hint anything about how they integrate the workflow with a team. Because you want to know, how does this person think? Is the first thing they think about the team? Or do we have to remind them all the time to consider others? That's important thing to pick up on.

A more specific question like this also reduces the amount of assumptions the person reviewing this is making. Assumptions cause trouble. For instance, person is coming from another studio and worked on X project, so you assume they know something. But maybe they don't. You don't know what specific circumstances were. Better to ask a direct question which will cut through the assumptions.

Maybe the excuse for not doing this is "no time" or "HR takes care of that stuff and they don't know shit." But I don't see how taking more time to hire the best people for the job won't pay back. It's just like education. It's the most direct control you have on the future. Everything else should really be a secondary concern.

Eric Chadwick

Hey, quit giggling, I'm a solid 7. Solid, I tell you.

sacboi

Barbarian Barbarians are uncivilized, uncultured, and tribal. We score a 10 for swordsmanship and drinking concoctions that would make a Bill Goat puke, although in modern times we prefer bourbon. We are not into memes. If I got .01 point for every time Maya crashed at a crucial time during the past dozen years my score would be closer to 90. The only way a barbarian could be a "rock star" is by getting besotted and banging on drums.

But barbarians accept their awards from the civilized world honorably. Maya Badge of "2" will  be worn with pride. Better than a 1.

DONE! you're hired.

tho, smelly mammoth skins loin cloth or sharp pointy thingy's are optional - I'd advise - cheetos dusted hoodie, flip-flops & boardy's for daily wear.

Barbarian

It's the faux Vikings that wear the sharp pointy thingy;s. Loin cloths only a couple of  months during the summer. Too cold and we don't like frozen nuts. Furs okay. Vikings can't win battles nor Super Bowls.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rc3OBs6K4Cw

NikhilR

So update on my application, they ended up rejecting me for a position I didn't apply for lol

I did write to them clarifying what the position I applied for was but never received a reply back

Strange way to operate for such a big name studio and this was before this COVID madness started.

Eric Chadwick

Well as I've said before, feedback is never part of the hiring process. If you're seeking feedback, you're at best getting ignored, at worst they're chucking your application in the waste bin. Hiring managers don't want an arguer, they want a doer. 

NikhilR

Eric Chadwick said:

Well as I've said before, feedback is never part of the hiring process. If you're seeking feedback, you're at best getting ignored, at worst they're chucking your application in the waste bin. Hiring managers don't want an arguer, they want a doer. 

I  just found it weird that the rejection was for a position I didn't apply for in a department I wasn't interested in (which didn't exist in their job listings at the time)
I applied for layout artist position in the Asset Department instead I was rejected for the lighting artist position in the rendering department.

Its no big deal, I just replied asking to let me know if there are any positions in what I was applying to in the near future.
Kinda wondering if they sent the rejection/approval intended for me to a lighting artist lol

Alex_J

If you are calling out somebodies mistake, you are making a certain implication, aren't you?

You are implying, "games companies are disorganized, disorderly, people don't know what they are doing."

You can be polite about it but if you shy away from the implication it only seems like you are playing dumb, and that just pisses people off.

But it's true. And it's true anywhere and everywhere. I don't need to know anything about games to know its true. The best organizations in the world are a clusterfuck. It's not because humans are stupid - we just grew too fast and don't have enough experience operating outside of tribal sized numbers.

I keep saying it because I am certain it's true: you, Nikhil, personally, are not going to jive in that sort of environment. It's going to be terrible for you. Not because you are smarter or better, it just takes a certain personality type to thrive in certain environments.

I mean I shouldn't get into your personal biz but the point I want to make is, now is a better time than ever to be making games or w/e kind of digital art medium you are into. There is so much support available for free and cheap it's crazy. It is going to be easier to pay rent selling your content as a freelancer than trying to get into AAA, and the job security is better if you think about it, because you are building diverse skills that work towards making you more self reliant and adaptable, versus specializing in a niche. From a biological standpoint, we all know what nature favors, right?

If you are really intent on getting into the industry, the last thing you should be doing is pointing out how the emperor has no clothes on. If you want in the club, you got to do as they do, don't you?

NikhilR

Alex Javor said:

If you are calling out somebodies mistake, you are making a certain implication, aren't you?

You are implying, "games companies are disorganized, disorderly, people don't know what they are doing."

You can be polite about it but if you shy away from the implication it only seems like you are playing dumb, and that just pisses people off.

But it's true. And it's true anywhere and everywhere. I don't need to know anything about games to know its true. The best organizations in the world are a clusterfuck. It's not because humans are stupid - we just grew too fast and don't have enough experience operating outside of tribal sized numbers.

I keep saying it because I am certain it's true: you, Nikhil, personally, are not going to jive in that sort of environment. It's going to be terrible for you. Not because you are smarter or better, it just takes a certain personality type to thrive in certain environments.

I mean I shouldn't get into your personal biz but the point I want to make is, now is a better time than ever to be making games or w/e kind of digital art medium you are into. There is so much support available for free and cheap it's crazy. It is going to be easier to pay rent selling your content as a freelancer than trying to get into AAA, and the job security is better if you think about it, because you are building diverse skills that work towards making you more self reliant and adaptable, versus specializing in a niche. From a biological standpoint, we all know what nature favors, right?

If you are really intent on getting into the industry, the last thing you should be doing is pointing out how the emperor has no clothes on. If you want in the club, you got to do as they do, don't you?

I made sure not to name the studio here, this is just something that happens an awful lot so I wanted to share my experience. 
To be honest it feels funny more than anything, pretty straightforward job of a production artist being compared to the life of a rockstar based on a arbitrary number on a scale for a single program.
Sillier still since it basically validates all those resumes they tell us not to send, the ones with the percentage markers and scales for specific programs and skillsets.

Just goes to show how bizarre the speculative aspect of job applications can be, and you'd be surprised how many people are deluded into believing this doesn't happen simply because they absolutely truly and often blindly love these companies starting out.

I just felt that given the present situation with many companies working from home, they would need experienced freelancers.
I keep applying either way, maybe one day the timing will be right and I get a positive reply.

In the meantime, I always have something going on, making things for ongoing personal projects, tutorials and 3D printing alongside paid freelance work. 
I can only speculate about what these companies are looking for in an employee since their decision making is so fluid, but one thing I can certainly do is contribute well towards what I'm specialised for.

Alex_J

Don't try to understand the system like it's a cohesive thing. You only need to understand people, and then it starts making sense.