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What do you know about stepping up to unexpected challenges?
Here is Ana-Luiza joining us from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to share with us her experiences since her graduation.
In 2023, Ana-Luiza (a former student of Andrew Zeller and I) found herself in the deep end for the first time as a VFX supervisor. With her own supervisors on vacation, the project needed someone to step up. The call came, and Ana-Luiza was given a 15-minute pep talk - this was her crash course in on-set supervision.
The set was located on an island, and the crew stayed on a neighboring island. Ana-Luiza quickly learned the importance of knowing who to talk to. While she knew direct communication with the director was not typically part of her role, she soon found herself engaging with the director, the director of photography, and various other key personnel. This direct interaction was crucial in understanding the needs and dynamics of the set.
Equipped with a set supervisor’s fanny pack - complete with gaffer tape, measuring tape, tracking markers, and a Snickers bar for those hungry moments - Ana-Luiza was ready to dive in. However, she discovered that set supervision often involves a lot of waiting for the perfect moment to jump into action.
The film, still in its editing phase, required Ana-Luiza to supervise actors interacting with placeholders for 3D elements, like a ball representing a future CGI animal. She was constantly thinking about the final shot within Nuke, the compositing software.
Her supervisor’s advice was invaluable: measure the camera and lens distances, capture lens information, and always consider how the shot would be tracked and composited later. She filmed lighting setups when she couldn't get 360-degree photos, ensuring the 3D artists had all the information needed to seamlessly integrate their work.
The glamorous side of Hollywood was apparent when she left the island in a small boat, braving the rain. Upon returning, Ana-Luiza was eager for more on-set experiences, better prepared with books and videos to fill the inevitable downtime that comes with the territory.
Ana-Luiza's journey from a student to a now competent VFX supervisor is a story of growth and resilience. Her ability to adapt and learn on the fly is a shining example of the kind of skill and determination Andrew and I strive to instill in our students.
Her story doesn't just highlight her technical skills but also her capacity to handle pressure and make critical decisions on set. Andrew and I couldn’t be prouder of the strides she has made since her graduation and we can't wait to share more of her talk with all of you.