Expensive

I was asked this weekend what is the most expensive part of visual effects.

I responded:

All of it.

Paint and roto are just as important as modeling and lighting.

There is a notion in visual effects, that you can throw a bunch of cheap labor at a problem. This isn’t true.

That model that you spent countless hours on will look like crap behind bad roto. If the compositor has no clue then the game is up.

The idea that roto/paint is a entry level job and there for is easy just doesn’t hold up. I’m a bad painter. I can get it done, but by no means do I consider myself a rockstar painter. If you need painters hire them but dont hire artist that might also know how to paint. If you need great modelers grab them up.

To many times I have seen companies hire because of price and then have to scramble and pay the price hiring people who have the skills needed.

Always give the shot to the artist who is best suited for the task. Know your artists. I have heard coordinators and supervisors joke about trading artist for other artist.

I don’t think that’s a crazy idea.