Job Overview
ABOUT THE COURSE
The Assistant technical directors (ATDs) apprenticeship may perform a diverse series of technical support functions in order to ensure the smooth running of a visual effects project. They are responsible for:
- supporting and troubleshooting the pipeline and workflow tools
- providing technical assistance to people in creative departments
- managing data and resources.
ATDs utilise a variety of industry standard graphical applications, scripting languages and operating systems. They may support projects by gathering artist requirements, designing solutions and coding small-scale tools using established employer workflow requirements. They are expected to work well within a team and to be good communicators and problem solvers.
WHAT YOU’LL STUDY
Topics covered in this apprenticeship include:
- The importance and methods of retaining the quality of the source material.
- The general VFX shot pipeline, including general knowledge of all artists’ roles within the shot’s lifetime and their needs and deliverables.
- The film and/or TV shot pipeline, from pre-production, through shoot, editorial, VFX to grading.
- The VFX production pipeline, including shot bidding, turn-over, briefing, reviews, client reviews, deliveries and final delivery
- Approach to loading data from internal and external sources
- Delivery and output formats
- Visual effects terminology
- And has a familiarity with industry-standard software packages e.g. Maya, Houdini, 3D Studio Max etc.
For more information on this apprenticeship please visit Institute of Apprenticeships.
WHAT WILL I NEED?
Individual employers will set the selection criteria, but this is likely to include A levels (or equivalent level 3 qualification) in an ICT or moving picture related subject. Most candidates will also have English and Maths at level 2 on entry. Some employers may also ask for an online portfolio, coding examples or the completion of a timed assessment.
On completion of this course, you can progress onto further study in this field or into a career in the creative sector
