How would you explain your job to someone who doesn’t know VFX?
Essentially, I am taking multiple elements real and/or digitally created and making it look as photoreal as possible. Sometimes, it'll just be adding or taking away one or two things to clean up small details that were missed during filming. The more extravagant shots will require a lot of things to be added and removed and put together so that the end result looks like it all was filmed together without anything looking out of place.
What does a day in the life look like?
I'm an early bird, so I typically get up around 6:30 and do some stretching to get the blood flowing and wake up. I'll grab a bite for breakfast and perhaps a mocha and head into the office. Then...work starts. I check emails and notes and see what's on my plate, prioritize what I have, and check for any high priority shots and get to it. Throughout the day, I'll have quick chats with supervisors about shots and notes, sometimes a zoom call if needed, but for the most part, I just stick to my tasks and try to get stuff turned in. Throughout the day, I'll take a couple breaks to get up and stretch. I have my bike on a stand in my office so I can go for a quick bike ride while I wait for a render.
What are some of your favorite projects? Why?
One of my favorite projects I worked on is actually my very first film, "Wild Hogs". When I made the move to LA to work on actual film VFX, I was so excited and amazed at everything. My first project had all these actors i watched growing up on TV and now they're in this film and I get to work on a movie they're in! I still remember my first shot was adding a crack to the windshield when one of the guys throws his phone away and it hits a semi truck passing by. It was the most basic, easiest shot ever but I was so excited I was working on a film and I was comping and I was in LA. It was great!
What's something you wish people knew about what you do?
Sadly, I don't animate cartoons or blow things up practically. I grew up always drawing and saying i was going to go into animation. So for the longest time, my family thought VFX had something to do with animation. Then there's the folks who don't understand the difference between visual effects and practical effects.
What is something that excites you about your career?
Something that still excites me is kinda dumb, but I still look forward to seeing my work on TV or the big screen. Especially if my name ends up in the credits. I get a kick out watching the little tidbits of work I did on screen and how it plays out within the scene. Good or bad...I like to watch it all. I also like watching overall to see what my coworkers did as well. It's all a big collaborative process we all spend a lot of time on working and refining things to make something look as good as we can.
Are you learning anything new?
I think with the nature of pretty much anything....our industry is no stranger to changes and evolution and new ways of doing what we do. Not to mention the constant updates to the software we use. I end up learning a new way of doing something all the time. There are many ways and approaches to doing this job and leaning a new way or new piece of software or technique is a good practice to stay in the now so to speak.
What do you like to do outside of work?
I'm a bit of a homebody. I'm not a fan of crowded areas....sensory overload or something. I do enjoy just going outdoors for a nice walk or do some people watching from afar. I also just enjoy staying in and watching movies and or shows.
What's the best advice you've ever received?
I just actually mentioned this to someone the other day. My first job ever was at Burger King when I was 18. As we all know..at that age...nothing matters and we don't know anything. I decided to quit after three months to go work at Michaels instead. In my blissful ignorance, I quit with no notice and I remember my boss being mad and kinda yelling at me for not giving him any notice and for some reason...the only part I specifically remember is him asking me if I knew what work ethic was. Of course I didn't...I was 18. But that stuck with me and maybe a few years later, having changed my work ethic and being responsible and having a managerial position. I realized...ohh..this is what he meant by "work ethics".
SPOTLIGHT
Daniel Molina
Senor Compositor
SPOTLIGHT
Daniel Molina
Senor Compositor
How would you explain your job to someone who doesn’t know VFX?
Essentially, I am taking multiple elements real and/or digitally created and making it look as photoreal as possible. Sometimes, it'll just be adding or taking away one or two things to clean up small details that were missed during filming. The more extravagant shots will require a lot of things to be added and removed and put together so that the end result looks like it all was filmed together without anything looking out of place.
What does a day in the life look like?
I'm an early bird, so I typically get up around 6:30 and do some stretching to get the blood flowing and wake up. I'll grab a bite for breakfast and perhaps a mocha and head into the office. Then...work starts. I check emails and notes and see what's on my plate, prioritize what I have, and check for any high priority shots and get to it. Throughout the day, I'll have quick chats with supervisors about shots and notes, sometimes a zoom call if needed, but for the most part, I just stick to my tasks and try to get stuff turned in. Throughout the day, I'll take a couple breaks to get up and stretch. I have my bike on a stand in my office so I can go for a quick bike ride while I wait for a render.
What are some of your favorite projects? Why?
One of my favorite projects I worked on is actually my very first film, "Wild Hogs". When I made the move to LA to work on actual film VFX, I was so excited and amazed at everything. My first project had all these actors i watched growing up on TV and now they're in this film and I get to work on a movie they're in! I still remember my first shot was adding a crack to the windshield when one of the guys throws his phone away and it hits a semi truck passing by. It was the most basic, easiest shot ever but I was so excited I was working on a film and I was comping and I was in LA. It was great!
What's something you wish people knew about what you do?
Sadly, I don't animate cartoons or blow things up practically. I grew up always drawing and saying i was going to go into animation. So for the longest time, my family thought VFX had something to do with animation. Then there's the folks who don't understand the difference between visual effects and practical effects.
What is something that excites you about your career?
Something that still excites me is kinda dumb, but I still look forward to seeing my work on TV or the big screen. Especially if my name ends up in the credits. I get a kick out watching the little tidbits of work I did on screen and how it plays out within the scene. Good or bad...I like to watch it all. I also like watching overall to see what my coworkers did as well. It's all a big collaborative process we all spend a lot of time on working and refining things to make something look as good as we can.
Are you learning anything new?
I think with the nature of pretty much anything....our industry is no stranger to changes and evolution and new ways of doing what we do. Not to mention the constant updates to the software we use. I end up learning a new way of doing something all the time. There are many ways and approaches to doing this job and leaning a new way or new piece of software or technique is a good practice to stay in the now so to speak.
What do you like to do outside of work?
I'm a bit of a homebody. I'm not a fan of crowded areas....sensory overload or something. I do enjoy just going outdoors for a nice walk or do some people watching from afar. I also just enjoy staying in and watching movies and or shows.
What's the best advice you've ever received?
I just actually mentioned this to someone the other day. My first job ever was at Burger King when I was 18. As we all know..at that age...nothing matters and we don't know anything. I decided to quit after three months to go work at Michaels instead. In my blissful ignorance, I quit with no notice and I remember my boss being mad and kinda yelling at me for not giving him any notice and for some reason...the only part I specifically remember is him asking me if I knew what work ethic was. Of course I didn't...I was 18. But that stuck with me and maybe a few years later, having changed my work ethic and being responsible and having a managerial position. I realized...ohh..this is what he meant by "work ethics".