MANKIND: STORY OF ALL OF US
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Which software do Virtual Mattes artists use?
Virtual Mattes creative are experts on Photoshop, Maya, e-on Vue and Nuke digital tools and our matte painters use these tools either individually or combination of two or more, depending on the nature of the matte painting/virtual back-lot projects. For instance, if the project land itself to a still 2D matte painting, Photoshop is our principle software. However, for the 2.5D projections or complicated 3D back-lots, we use a combination of Maya, e-on Vue software and the finishing touches come in Photoshop and Nuke. Nuke has excellent camera mapping capabilities and easy to integrate with our partner's pipelines.
In which format do you deliver the matte paintings / virtual back-lots ?
We as Virtual Mattes' creatives are very flexible with our delivery methods. You as our clients are the first and foremost participants, and we shape our delivery formats to integrate into your pipeline. Matte paintings and virtual back-lots can be delivered in Photoshop layers as .psd format, or as individual layers as individual .tif files with transparencies or with separate alpha channels. We can deliver 3D and 2.5D assets in Maya or Nuke formats or as in their native scripts ready for you to integrate the individual elements into your pipeline. Some cases we deliver the matte paintings, already composited to the shots. You let us know your preferences, and we follow your lead.
What is the regular resolution of a digital matte painting?
We usually work at double the pixel size of the digital scan/plate resolution. For example, if the plate is in 2K resolution, we create our matte paintings in 4K resolution. However, we create as big as 24K and any resolution in-between, visuals for wide-angle projections, crop or push in purposes. When it comes to the resolution decisions for your virtual back-lots, we can guide you to choose the right approach for your needs. These chooses can be made very much depending on the nature of the shots and the format of your project.
For further assistants, please contact us at studio@virtualmattes.com
How long does a normally matte painting take to produce?
The shortest answer to this question is 'very wide range of time scales'. Sketches and concept work can take from a couple of hours to a couple of days per session/visual. Matte painting work can take from three days to three weeks depending on the resolution, detail and available source images. For example, matte painting from scratch and with 3D involvement takes a lot longer than a photo montage matte painting or a sky replacement. Please contact us with your specific project or shots in mind for further and for a more accurate assessment.
Contact us at studio@virtualmattes.com
What advice can you give someone breaking into this field?
Persistent, persistent, persistent. In order to expose yourselves to right people, set up a simple yet Persistence, persistence, persistence. To expose yourselves to the right people, set up a simple yet professional looking website. Get visible and active on social media and on the forums. Of course, all this effort becomes relevant if your work is up to a professional standard. Prepare a small but strong portfolio. Showing your best artwork is better than showing many but mediocre pieces thrown into the mix as filler. After all that hard but dedicated work, let the world know of your creativity. Bombard everyone with your work! And very best of luck.
vacancies@virtualmattes.com
Do you offer intern-ships or apprenticeships?
Sorry but, not at this minute.
Do you have any online tutorials?
Not as yet, but we are seriously thinking about it. Also, we are playing around with the idea of one to one remote tuition. Watch this space.
VIRTUAL MATTES LTD
Imagination Brought To Life
All material on this site is copyrighted and can not be copied without permission of the rightful owners. All rights reserved.