GanzChroma 0298
Reflecting on her journey, Jun Jun noted the evolution of educational structures in VFX. She observed that today's programs are more specialized, better equipping compositors for specific roles within the industry.
She emphasized the growing importance of specialization in VFX. “Being proficient in Nuke and hitting the ground running from day one can significantly boost your effectiveness,” she said.
Jun Jun’s practical advice on shot planning made a lasting impact on our students. She explained that when a supervisor assigns a shot, the shot appears in the artists database.
The next step is a brief from the supervisor to help artists grasp the specific requirements. A well-rounded brief can help avoid unnecessary intentions and prevent potential frustrations.
Jun Jun then highlighted the importance of references. References can come from concept art, photographs/videos, sequence edits, and other similar shots from the same show.
The concept art can set the mood of the shot/show. Photographs and videos are excellent resources to observe and mimic in order to achieve photorealism.
Sequence edits can help artists understand the context and maintain continuity. Looking for “sister shots”, or similar shots from the same sequence can not only save time, but can be valuable learning resources for junior artists.
Lastly, Jun Jun emphasized the need to plan for a shot and think in terms of layer management. The first step is organizing different visual elements (such as backgrounds, foregrounds, plates, and effects) and separating layers for independent manipulation.
The next step is considering how layers interact with each other. Working from background to foreground is a good rule of thumb. After laying down the board strokes, then we move onto fine tuning each layer for integration.
We appreciate Jun Jun sharing her expertise and hope that her advice serves as a useful resource for both students and young compositors.
P.S. The following posters are just some of the amazing Movies and TV Shows JunJun has worked over the years.
