"“Reklama shance” "
Many of us have seen “Shrek” and “The Ice Age”, “The Matrix” and “Night Watch”, but few of us imagine how these cinematographic masterpieces were made. And very few know that work on 3D graphics can be undertaken in St Petersburg.
In our city there are approximately six big studios doing three-dimensional graphics. What they create today sells very well: special effects for the cinema, advertising films (which are mainly done on the computer), animated cartoons, and computer games.
The sphere of application of 3D products is so wide that the user market cannot be satisfied. In other words the companies in St Petersburg are, in the bigger picture, not competitors: there are too many customers. Furthermore, almost every company has its specialisation; for one it’s computer games, and some are already looking at feature length animated films. But even when there their specialisations coincide, companies often have to “share” their clients; to cope with a huge quantity of orders simply isn’t possible.
Self-taught people –teach others!
However competition nevertheless does exist, and begins with the labour market. There is a catastrophic shortage of specialists and workers in 3D graphics and animation. And that is not a couple of tens of jobs, but a constant supply of vacancies.
Mostly it’s workers directly on the 3D front: 3D modellers, 3D animators, composers and visualisers.
3D modellers create three-dimensional models using specially designed computer programs. 3D animators, accordingly, animate the created models and make them move, and “live a fully-fledged life”.
If we try to explain the work of a composer by comparison, then the nearest thing is the work of a montage artist in classical cinematography. With the help of a special program when composing, statistics and animated pictures are created, to which are added special effects.
If a visualiser were working in the cinema, he would be called a light artist. But of course all these comparisons are approximate.
Since in St Petersburg neither in the system of high schools nor in the system of intermediate professional education are specialisations taught, it is self-taught people who come to work in the field of 3D graphics. These people own a computer and basic animation programs (the 3D packages: Maya, 3Ds max, and more rarely XSI). But in any case, before taking up their duties, these people undergo a “probation period without interruption of production”.
Artists and sculptors greet each other
For work as a modeller or 3D artists requires an art education. Therefore all firms wait for graduates of arts universities and colleges. But they can have problems as not every graduate is able to draw on a graphics pad, and to master this technique will require from two to six weeks. Sculptors become familiar more easily with three-dimensional modelling. A knowledge of human and animal anatomy can really help both a modeller and an animator because even the creation of fantasy characters is based on a knowledge of real life.
Who will teach?
In the autumn of this year the company ALS Group is opening and information-enlightenment centre where different types of “round table” conferences, discussions and informal evenings will be held. A library is planned in which literature on 3D graphics and animation will be available and aspecific internet resource created.
Since the introduction of new specialisations in the system of professional education is not planned in the next few years, the centre will run training courses. It is suggested that they will last around six months and at the end the student will receive a “certified” intermediate level and will be able to settle into work without problems.
It should be noted that the minimum salary in any of the similar companies is 13 –15 thousand roubles. Providing the candidate carries out his duties conscientiously the salary rises rapidly to the intermediate level, which amounts to 1.5 to 2 thousand standard units.
Yulia Bakasova |
