Kim Fersling
Interview with former TRUEMAX student, 20 March 2009:
Kim Fersling
3D Artist, Happywood Studio
Nationality: Danish
Age: 25
Education: 3D Fundamentals (2003)
Interview by Charlotte Fjordvald Bertelsen
1. How long have you worked at Happywood?
I’ve been with Happywood Studio for about 4 months now. Happywood is a subdivision of Nordisk Film, which produces a number of television series. At the present time the TV3 series “2900 Happiness” is being made there, and right now we’re working on a television series that will be shown on TV2 Zulu in autumn 2009. It’s called “Kristian”, and the whole show is filmed with a 3D background using green screen. It’s going to have a sort of “Sin City” feel to it!
2. What is your job title and area of expertise?
I do a little of everything, so my job title is probably 3D Artist! Among other things, I supervise set modeling and I also work with lighting and shading.
3. What does your typical work day look like?
I start off by meeting with the team to go over the preceding day’s work. Then we optimize what we did, such as flying sequences and crazy dreams. I work on the creative aspects as well as supervise the rest of the team.
Apart from the actors, everything in the “Kristian” TV show is done using 3D computer graphics and animation. It’s the biggest 3D project of its kind in Denmark to date. The show is filmed on a tiny stage with just a few props and the green screen provides the background. But in the show itself, it looks as though it was filmed in 87 different locations. It’s amazing!
4. Describe your career in the 3D industry since you completed your basic education at TRUEMAX academy.
First I worked at Gimmick Vfx for about 18 months. That’s where I got my foot in the door of this industry and began making contacts. Then I was with Duckling for about 6 months – I went with 3D animator Peter Hartvig, whom I also work with now. I was also at Ghost for 1-2 months. I really like being a freelancer because I like to change it up a bit. At one point I was travelling in Indonesia and when I needed money, I got a job with BINC VFX in Bangkok, and I worked there for 2-3 months. It’s cool to have a job you can do anywhere in the world. Technically speaking it’s the same work whether you’re located in Denmark, Thailand or Indonesia, but there are huge cultural differences. For example, I’ve never started off the work day with a prayer in Denmark!
5. Which projects have you worked on?
In addition to the TV series I’m working on now, I’ve mostly been involved with smaller projects. No feature films. I’ve worked on a lot of commercials, such as ones for Berlingske, Powerade Humanball and a range of LEGO commercials.
6. Describe your career in the 3D industry in terms of working hours and salary.
I earn pretty good money, and that’s typical for freelancers. You can easily earn DKK 100,000 in 4 weeks, but then you might follow up by being unemployed for 3 months! Sometimes I make DKK 25,000 a month, sometimes DKK 45,000 – it varies a lot. If the job itself is interesting, and the working hours are good, then the money isn’t that important.
7. What did you find useful about your education at TRUEMAX academy? And what would you have liked to learn more about?
The key thing was keeping in touch with the TRUEMAX instructors, Moayad Fahmi and Rashid Naseer. I never would have landed the job at Gimmick Vfx if it wasn’t for them. Networking is so important. And that’s something TRUEMAX has really helped me with.
I took a 20-week course at TRUEMAX just to learn the basics. Since then I’ve built on what I learned on the job. I’ve been too busy to take more courses, but my work experience has allowed me to round out my skills. And I love doing modeling!
So there wasn’t really anything lacking in my education. Actually it was very cool to just take a course and walk right into a job. It meant that I didn’t have to get involved in higher education, which was nice because I’m not really into all that school stuff.
8. What are your career goals in the 3D industry?
To get out! (Laughs) No, I would actually like to work on a big production, but maybe that wouldn’t be so great for me anyway. That kind of thing can end up working like a factory, and I enjoy getting my hands dirty in all aspects of the production and making creative decisions. But I’d like to at least try working on a big production so I can have an opinion on it. I’d like to work in small companies for the most part, at least until I win the lottery! (Laughs) And like I mentioned, it’s very cool to be able to work anywhere in the world.
9. Who are your greatest sources of inspiration in the 3D industry?
I don’t have any 3D gurus! But the Internet in particular is a treasure trove of inspiration. There are so many talented artists and beautiful/imaginative images. Many new feature films are filled with 3D and use lots of effects to make it all look expensive, like in the new film “Watchmen” (2009), which I think is terrible. On the other hand, David Fincher’s “Benjamin Button” (2008) and everything by Tim Burton are excellent!
10. What advice would you give people considering a career in the 3D industry?
Don’t – unless you really, really, really want it. If you don’t want it enough you won’t be good enough, and then you’ll quickly be out of the business. It’s all about networking – and it’s not enough to just do a little work and eat crisps and drink Coke, you have to be friendly and easy to get along with as well. Or, in my case anyway, to look like you are.
|