The VFX Maestro: Iain He’s Secrets to Success in Compositing
Have you ever watched a movie and wondered: wait, how did they do that? Or perhaps a scene is so perfect, it’s hard to believe it’s even real. The magic of visual effects (VFX) brings those scenes to life. And behind many of those “movie magic” moments is a skilled and creative VFX compositor like Iain He.
The best way to describe Iain is as a VFX maestro who has mastered the art of compositing, seamlessly blending computer-generated assets with live-action footage to create one cohesive shot. He has gained extensive knowledge of industry-standard software, including Nuke, to achieve professional-level results in his compositing work. Iain’s wide range of skills includes various VFX techniques, including 2D tracking, rotoscoping, green screen compositing, and 3D compositing.
Many subtle VFX works go unnoticed by the audience, but Iain’s job as a VFX compositor is to make the shot look as convincing as possible. For example, a scene where a character is scrolling on their phone is most likely a composited shot. The content on the phone is added in compositing, and when a gun is fired, the muzzle flash is usually not real. Similarly, when a character is driving around in Manhattan, they are usually sitting in a car and pretending to drive in a green screen studio.
Iain’s impressive portfolio includes his work on several TV series and films, such as Tulsa King, The Equalizer, Gossip Girl, The Peripheral, Monarch, and Spoiler Alert.
In one episode of Monarch, Iain and his team needed to add large crowds for the singer’s performance. Iain recalls, “They were some heavy shots that required a lot of rotoscoping of the foreground characters and objects and then to line up the green screen crowds to fill up the venue. I remember there were some practical people on the set, and I needed to match the green screen crowds to them so that they all looked like they were in the same place.”
In addition, there were some spotlights on the stage that were hitting the camera and giving some sort of glow right in front of the added crowds, so Iain needed to adjust the color correction, matching the spotlights as they went on and off. As each shot had different angles and movements, he needed to place the green screen crowds and track them accordingly to create a cohesive look. “Working on this show was a fantastic learning experience for me. I had the opportunity to collaborate with a helpful VFX supervisor who gave me valuable insights into blending green screen crowds with practical actors in a more effective technique,” he says.
One of Iain’s most valuable pieces of wisdom is to never stop learning. The VFX industry is constantly evolving, and staying up to date with the latest compositing techniques, software updates, and industry trends is crucial to staying relevant and competitive. Iain suggests attending industry events, participating in online forums or groups, and watching tutorials regularly to stay on trend and enhance your technical ability.
Effective communication and collaboration skills are also essential for ensuring projects like this stay on track and deadlines are met. A great compositor knows how to work well in a team, be open to new ideas, and adapt to different working styles. Being a supportive and reliable team member can help build strong relationships and lead to new opportunities in the future.
Iain’s ultimate goal is to become a senior VFX compositor or VFX supervisor. In the meantime, he continues to showcase his impressive technical expertise, creative vision, and collaboration skills in his work as a VFX compositor. Iain He is making a significant impact in the VFX industry, and his inspiring journey to success is proof that hard work, collaboration, and continuous learning can pay off in a big way.
