A lot has been writen about what makes a good visual effects artist. Scott Squires wrote What makes a good visual effects artist. Its a wonderful look at what the core skills are, above and beyond the normal good employee. He followed that post up with Visual Effects tips 1. Also a good post more directed at non learned skills. Non learned meaning you didn't learn that said skill in Nuk101.
While I agree with what Mr. Squires says in each of his posts, I feel that there is an idea missing.
I have worked in many of the jobs in modern film[movie] production. I learned how to load film and slate as a 2nd-2nd Asst. Cameraman[Clapper]. I learned how to pull focus and operate a camera as a 1st Asst Cameraman. I have been a grip and a electrician. I learned real lighting and blocking. I watched as the stunt coordinators very, very carefully prepped the big stunt.
Your asking yourself what the f*$K is this guy talking about.
I am talking about starting at the bottom and working your way up. I started in dustbuster/roto/compositing. I did scratch removal for months on Battle of the Bulge. When there wasn't junior comp work for me I dustbusted, rotoscoped, did speed changes and digital opticals. This was amazing training to be a really good compositor. I had a great spot right by the review station and every time an artist and supervisor were going over a shot, headphones came off and I listened.If it felt right maybe even asked a question or two. Why did you do it that way, and not this way. Can you show me how you did that.
During that time I learned from the senior guys how not to act in a review. How to defend your techniques with out looking like an ass. I learned what questions to ask the supervisor so you knew what direction to go in, and what red really meant. You learn comp techniques outside of what the default use for a node. But the most important idea I learned in my first 5 years in visual effects. Compositing is a incredibility hard job. Nothing is ever the same. If you get stuck inside your box your shots will never get done.
I'd like to thank Jim O'hagen, for dragging me along with him. Joe Gareri for giving me a shot.