Andrew McDonald

Storyboards may not be done for VFX projects, however you may come across "Previs''. Previs Artists create rough, most times grayscale 3D models and environments, to place in a scene in order to map out the general camera angles, layout and animation for a scene.

The Layout Artist will use storyboards as reference to create camera angles for a scene, as well as placing or 'laying out' the props and environments made by the Modelling department.

A Rigging TD has the responsibility of creating the backbone of a character, literally. The role requires someone to have an understanding of performance, human anatomy as well as a firm grasp of coding languages.

FX Technical Direction, or FX Artists are usually involved in the pre-production planning of a project as they will require a lot of research and development time if the special effects are complex.

Creature/Groom Technical Directors create believable hair, fur, and feather grooms for characters, props and environments. Groom TDs work closely with Creature TDs regarding the requirements for their workflow.

Traditionally considered a very technical role, the Lighting TD or Lighter, also needs to have an eye for colour, tone, atmosphere and composition, an understanding of how light reflects on objects in nature and the real world determines how we perceive them.

A Matte Painter creates 2.5D elements for shots. He or she might create an asset like a sky, which is added to a sequence of shots and then potentially tweaked or painted on, at the shot level, to break up any repetition.

A Texture Artist is someone who adds layers of colour and texture to a CG asset to make it look realistic. Without them, CG assets and environments would just be a boring, uninteresting grey colour.

Animators are story driven. An Animator breathes life into a modelled character by making it move, talk, and express emotions.

Lookdev Artist’s are responsible for producing high-quality shaders and materials for digital assets. They are similar to texture artists in terms of adding color and texture to models.

Compositors are often called "The Finisher". The buck stops with them - a film's Director will approve shots coming out of this department, that will make up the final edit.

The Matchmove Artist creates 3D models of camera moves and other rough blocking animation in a computer environment.