Visual effects play a crucial role in the entertainment industry, captivating audiences by transforming imaginative and fantastical worlds into visual reality, and bringing characters, environments, and narratives to life.
It is our passion at Switch VFX and our work has demonstrated how the inclusion of VFX in storytelling is critical.
VFX creates, manipulates and enhances images or scenes not possible or impractical to capture in real life.
You can include sprawling landscapes in your film or series for a fraction of the cost.
Creatures that defy the laws of nature can be showcased using visual effects.
You can control your creative vision and the safety of your set using VFX.
VFX can be used to enhance the narrative of your story.
You can create exotic new worlds with visual effects.
Punch up the excitement of your film.
Deliver fantastical images with VFX.
Use VFX to add realism, create fantasy or convey emotions.
Epic battles in space can be brought to you by VFX.
You can enhance realism in a fantasy world.
Or set the mood using VFX.
VFX can handle tough terrain, add detail…
…and help show the audience what they need to see.
To learn more about Switch VFX, our talent, experience and work please visit https://www.switchent.com/
Congratulations to recent high school graduate Jeralyn Castro for winning the Switch VFX & Animation Entrance Scholarship. Her submission impressed the judges so she has been granted this year’s financial award plus Animation Lounge workshops to help her pursue her passion.
Good Luck to Jeralyn as she starts her post-secondary journey in Animation at Algonquin College in Fall of 2024!
Frankly, Ontario currently has an abundance of talented artists but a scarcity of available jobs. As productions restart and the industry begins to recover, it’s crucial to assess what distinguishes you as a desirable candidate. Don’t give up on your dream of working in animation, use this period to enhance your abilities, and differentiate yourself from the crowd.
Ask yourself, do you have the skills and qualities it takes to rise to the top and get the job.
Do you have passion for the job?
Being an animator requires a deep passion for your craft. It’s not merely a position for those seeking a paycheck. It’s essential to invest emotionally in the characters you bring to life and the narrative they convey.
A genuine enthusiasm for the art of animation is crucial!
How is your sense of humor?
Humor is a crucial element for a successful animator. A good sense of humor naturally translates into the character’s portrayal.
Comedy is essential for charm. The character’s movements and behaviors often mirror this humor.
Since most animated films are aimed at children, they typically belong to the comedy genre. Therefore, instilling a sense of humor in your characters is vital.
Are you talented?
To become an animator, some innate artistic talent is essential. You don’t need to be a master, but possessing artistic skills is important. A quality animation course can make up for any other deficiencies.
Artistic talent encompasses an understanding of light, shadow, texture, and color theory. Given that animation relies heavily on color to convey messages, it’s crucial to know how to use them effectively for your characters. You should have the ability to discern which colors and tones best convey certain emotions or feelings.
Do you understand the process?
The ideal animator possesses comprehensive knowledge of the animation process, understanding how each phase impacts the outcome and identifying which aspects they prefer to engage in. The more familiar you are with the events preceding, during, and following your contribution, the more adept you become at making strategic choices regarding the application of your skills.
Animation spans a vast array of disciplines, including art, technology, engineering (math included), and the principles underlying motion capture technology and photography.
Is your approach creative?
Creative, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills are fundamental for an animator. A skilled animator must think creatively to devise story ideas. They should have a vivid imagination to conjure up worlds and characters from nothing. Continuously creating new things is essential—it’s what drives an animator’s daily motivation.
How’s your patience?
Patience is a vital skill in the field of animation, which is a challenging career to enter. Success in animation demands years of dedicated practice and determination.
Patience is essential at every stage of producing an animated film or video game: from collaborating on idea generation with fellow artists to animating with software such as Flash or Maya, which necessitates a comprehensive understanding of computer operations, particularly for 3D animation.
What is your level of technical skill?
The most crucial skill for an animation artist is technical proficiency. These practical skills merge with your artistic and creative talents to animate characters convincingly.
Equally vital are your computer skills. Most animation and multimedia artists depend on computer software to create animations. Such software includes Maya, Adobe Flash, and others.
A basic understanding of graphic design is also beneficial, as it’s the graphic motion that infuses life into animations. It enables you to craft figures and incorporate visual effects that mimic real-life movements.
Is attention to detail important to you?
A key characteristic of a skilled animator is their meticulous attention to detail. They never settle for mediocre work; instead, they dedicate additional time to perfect their animations. Their commitment to going above and beyond is evident in their creations.
An animator with an innate curiosity about their surroundings accumulates a vast repository of observations, which they can then utilize to craft an animated world that resonates with viewers eager for a detailed and authentic experience on screen.
Can you manage your time?
Time management is a crucial skill for animators, often overlooked despite its importance. This is because animation studios typically operate under very tight deadlines.
Being adept at handling multiple tasks within limited timeframes is essential. Ineffective time management can lead to missed deadlines and failed projects.
Will you accept feedback?
Feedback is a crucial component of the creative process, aiding in the enhancement of your abilities and development as an animator.
Actively seek feedback from fellow animators, educators, or industry professionals. Embrace constructive criticism and apply it to refine your work.
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If you have the skills and abilities to succeed in Animation, keep the faith, try new things and stay the course, your time will come.
A few suggestions in the meantime…
Be sure to register your profile on the new CASO Job Portal, designed to connect Ontario’s talent with opportunities from top studios in the province. As the industry rebounds and job listings appear, being discoverable is key!
Interested in acquiring new skills or enhancing existing ones? Contact the Animation Lounge, sponsored by Switch Animation to inquire about their workshops.
Wishing you the best of luck and a brighter future…for us all.
Originally appeared as a LinkedIn article HERE
At the 2024 Computer Animation Studio of Ontario Annual General Meeting, CASO Co-Chair and Switch CEO/EP Pete Denomme, with Co-Chair Samara Melanson, led the introduction of the newly ratified CASO Board, touted past year’s accomplishments which included the untethering of OCASE, met with studio leaders and conferred with representatives from the City of Toronto Film office, Ontario Creates, VES Toronto, TAAFI and the office of the Minister of Tourism and Culture.
Pete Denomme, our CEO/Executive Producer and Co-Chair of the Computer Animation Studios of Ontario had a fantastic first roundtable with the newly names tourism minister Stan Cho and film industry leaders at Sheridan College.
Working to improve the growth and competitiveness of Ontario’s industry is CASO’s mantra and a passion of Pete’s. At this important summit leaders chatted about the future of Ontario’s film scene and how best to collaborate to expand the local industry.
The team at Switch VFX is proud to be a part of this inspired story. Directed by Academy Award Winner Taika Waititi, NEXT GOAL WINS follows the American Samoa soccer team, infamous for their brutal 31-0 FIFA loss in 2001. With the World Cup Qualifiers approaching, the team hires down-on-his-luck, maverick coach Thomas Rongen (Michael Fassbender) hoping he will turn the world’s worst soccer team around in this heartfelt underdog comedy.
