Several months ago, a rep from Bournemouth University popped into the Atrium to do a talk promoting a new Festival that celebrates Visual Effects, which was to be held at Bournemouth University. They were incorporating a competition, which involved teams of 4-6 people making short films answering one of a number of briefs on their website. This competition was open to students and recent graduates, however teams were only allowed one recent graduate on each team. Seeing as I fell into the graduate column, and I didn't know many 3rd year students, I went away and didn't think too much more about it.
Not too long after that, my former head of department messaged me on Facebook inviting me to join the Glamorgan University BFX group. It seemed our faculty were trying to get a few teams together to enter the competition. So I joined the group and had a gander, and spotted that a group of CG Artists and Animators that were look for VFX people, so I dropped them a line.
These guys showed me some of their concept art and wow, frankly I had to be on that team. I was willing to beg to work with these guys, they were that good. Imagine how surprised I was when they told me they were second years, because seriously, these guys could hold their own against the third years easily.
Our team became Traditionally Digital, and we worked together to put create a pitch video that was our entry into the competition (though I think our team leader did most of the work...). The pitch went up and we held our breath for two weeks.
The competition you see was open entry, but there were several stages to get through. Anyone could submit a pitch. The idea being you put together previz and concept art and pitch it as if you were pitching to industry. The best ten teams were selected and would be invited to spend six weeks on Bournemouth University campus making the short films with the help of industry mentors. The best of those ten wins the prize, though I believe all ten films will be showed at the festival.
So after much fidgeting and pacing we got the call, and Traditionally Digital made the top ten and was invited to Bournemouth. Yay!
That's when the mad panic began, because honestly I don't think we expected to ever have to make this film, and it is rather ambitious. Nick, our team leader, has been amazing. He's taken control of the art direction, and organised us all with homework. He's anticipated where he thinks we may have problems and encouraged us to do research and work on test shots that will help iron out these issues when it comes to production. For example, my main problem is digital lighting. Nick wants a very specific style and I've been working on different methods to achieve the look we're after. Hopefully, the hard work will pay off and by the time we get to Bournemouth, we shall be working together like a well oiled machine.
So less than a week to go before production starts and I am both excited and terrified. Whatever happens, win or lose, I think we will have a fabulous time, make lots of friends and industry contacts, and gain an experience that will be more than valuable in our future endeavours.
Go Team Traditionally Digital!
Look out for us in 14th August edition of 3D Artist Magazine. We'll be appearing in the Community section talking about the run up to BFX.
Find out more about BFX on their Official Website: http://www.bfxfestival.com/
I plan to keep this blog up to date during the BFX process, so stay tuned for the trials and tribulations ahead.
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