My journey to 3D Animation Visual Effect

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My journey to 3D Animation and Visual Effect

By: Vikramjit Sorensangbam *

Hi, I am Vikramjit Sorensangbam, a Character artist by profession. Originally from Imphal, capital city of Manipur.

I worked as a 3D Artist at Exigent Game Art, Noida, India (Exigent is an American based company started by Paul Steed), currently freelance-artist, character modeling and texturing using Softimage XSI, 3DS Max and Z-brush.

I had successfully completed the full-time 3D Animation and Visual Effects program of study at Vancouver Film School, Canada.

I graduated with Diploma in the year 2006, specializing in organic forms and characters. My work samples and demo reel can be viewed at www.VIK3D.com. I wanted to share my views and ideas about 3D animation and Visual effects.

It is an amazement that I would come to the world of animation. It was always a dream that haunted me and a fascinating flight of fantasy.

My first toy was Mickey Mouse, which is still kept in my room. Always kept informed of painting and drawing competition by my parents, I never skipped such competition from primary school days. My first experience with animation was none other than Walt Disney’s Mickey Mouse and his friends.

At the final Demo Reel Development Farm, Ant Farm

Being fascinated by their facial expressions, moves, classical music which until my academic pursuance of animation I was not aware that it is a part of classical and traditional animation.

“Casper the holy ghost” was like a coming of age experience in my interest in animated movies. Armed with this intense desire to know more I enrolled in a Multimedia School in my native place while still in college.

After learning Adobe Photoshop, Adobe premiere, Elastic reality and finally 3D Studio Max I came to hear of Alias Maya (Alias Maya- now known as Autodesk Maya) . After completing graduation, I moved down to Chennai (Madras) to learned Alias Maya.

My initial inquiries informed that the first and foremost kit of an animator is classical and traditional animation. To my utter shock it had not been introduced there. A desire to transform dreams into reality urged me to search for institutes for Alias Maya.

Setting out in 2004 when there was no single animation institute with authorized training school for Alias Maya or Softimage XSI in India I turn my gaze to authorized institutes of repute- German Film School, Van Arts, Sheridan College, Savannah School of Art, New York film Academy.

However the intention of acquiring knowledge thoroughly from its place of origin made me zeroed down to Vancouver Film School (VFS) . VFS is an Authorized Softimage Training center. Information of Authorized Softimage Training centers locations can be refer from this link

Receiving a call from VFS in Madras I decided to take the plunge after interaction with alumni and admission advisor and tracing that VFS has a unique way of teaching the basic and foundation aspect like classical and traditional classes.

Watching the show reel of VFS and the excellent presentation which is in fact, one of the most important aspects for grads while landing jobs in industry convinced me. This conviction was enhanced by the fact that VFS offered the course in 1 year as opposed to other institutes offering a 4 years course for the same.

Presentation of my Demo Reel at VFS theatre

VFS plays a central role in creative development by providing a constant stream of talent to the film, television, animation and video game industries. Being well connected with renowned studio like Pixar, EA, Lucas Ltd etc will definitely enhance the living artist within the students and in shaping him to be a perfect 3D artist fit enough to survive anywhere.

Due to the cost involved in such professional courses and the number of schools and institutes mushrooming in India and elsewhere it becomes crucial to do a background check, have conversation with alumni and personnel.

There is a word of caution that there are many institutes founded by members with various foreign stints some of which can not even be validated. Not choosing the right institute might lead to disappointment, one might go off with the wrong idea or be totally disillusioned.

Choosing the right institute will be your window to the world of computer graphics. This is however just the beginning. One need to constantly question / solicit instructor’s response to your work and not shy away from clearing one’s doubts.

A student and an institute at best can be described as a symbiotic relationship where the institute complements by providing the right tools and direction to your quest of knowledge.

There have been many queries about such institutes in India. It is therefore heartening that there are institutes with international alliances and international faculty coming up in India which is more accessible if one is interested in pursuing the same.

Being exposed to Vancouver Film School and its tools and methods of delivering instruction I would like to vouch for it.

However there are also options in India like the Picasso Animation College (with branches in Delhi and Hyderabad) an institute launched with international alliance to interested aspirant after urging to review and assess it for oneself.

At the end of the day education is a logical and rational decision. It can’t be faked; it can’t be bought; it had to be earned.

“Great education does not occur by accident”

Check out the full photo Gallery here.

* Vikramjit Sorensangbam, a Free lance Character Artist, contributes for the first time to e-pao.net. You can browse his works at his website at www.VIK3D.com . The writer can be contacted at sorensangbam(at)gmail(dot)com . This article was webcasted on 23rd January 2008.

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