Herve Bizira
What is your current Job Title, and where do you work?
FX TD - Dreamworks Animation
What project are you currently working on now, or have just finished?
I just completed Shrek 4 and I'm now working on Guardians (2012)
What was your involvement on this film and where there any challenges involved?
Over the 2 years on Shrek, I worked as an FX TD, Lighting TD as well as Surfacing TD. My role in FX was to create new tools for artists as well as work on several key fx systems for the movie: tree wind, environment candle fire as well as the main villain's wig hair system.
What does a typical day at work involve for you while in the full swing of Production? There no such thing as a typical day :) Issues can range from tool development, troubleshooting shots or creating new fx systems.
What was the coolest project that you've worked on, and why?
The coolest project was the wig hair system for the villain in Shrek 4. This system required coordination between multiple departments (modeling, surfacing, rigging, fx and lighting) and allowed me to get my hands dirty in all areas of the Dreamworks pipeline.
What made you want to work in the CG Industry?
I was 9 years old and I saw Jurassic Park for the first time. I was truly inspired by what computer graphics could bring to life and I knew I had to get into this industry. I've been playing with computers and graphics since then.
What was your first CG job?
My first CG job was an internship at a Toronto based studio called Starz Animation. I worked as an animation and surfacing td.
What educational training did you undertake to get into the industry, or are you completely self-taught?
I have computer science degree from the University of Waterloo and for as long as I can remember I've been playing with a graphics program of some sort. The majority of my cg training is self-taught but all my formal computer science training came from school.
What "off-the-shelf" software do you work with ? (home + work)
* Maya
* Houdini
* Photoshop
* Mari
Do you use any Proprietary Software or Tools where you work? If so, what are they used for? We have a variety of proprietary software at Dreamworks which vary from texturing painting, animation, lighting and rendering. The majority of our pipeline is proprietary and the software is designed to handle larger and more complex data sets than off the shelf third party software.
What advice or tips would you give people who are trying to get a job like you in the CG Industry?
For the TD role, I would suggest you develop a passion for problem solving and take the time to code some tools for yourself. As a member of the interview team, I often look for people who show initiative in writing their own maya/houdini/r&d tools.
Are there any people, films or events in your life that inspired you to work in the CG Industry?
Too many to name! But off the top of my head: Jurassic Park, King Kong, Final Fantasy, The Matrix series, Lord of the Rings, Avatar...and the list goes on. I find it really inspiring to be in an industry where the next game changer is just one movie away.
What career goals or plans do you have for the future?
To develop my skills in all areas of the pipeline and to continually learn as much as I can.
When you're not at work what do you like to do in your spare time?
I enjoy keeping fit and playing a variety of sports. I also draw and play music.
What are a few of your favourite films of all time?
The Matrix, Memento, Office Space
What will you do if you had a time machine?
Travel to the moment of creation :)
To develop my skills in all areas of the pipeline and to continually learn as much as I can.
When you're not at work what do you like to do in your spare time?
I enjoy keeping fit and playing a variety of sports. I also draw and play music.
What are a few of your favourite films of all time?
The Matrix, Memento, Office Space
What will you do if you had a time machine?
Travel to the moment of creation :)
As a member of the interview team, I often look for people who show initiative in writing their own tools.
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