Photographic study
Eric Hanson is also a keen photographer. He’s recently been into generating a lot of large panoramic images. This practice has actually been helpful for him to establish a method to utilize and synchronize the disparate technologies of digital elevation models (DEM), high dynamic range images (HDR), global positioning (GPS), and panoramic imagery (Pan and Tile). He is part of a small group who are developing the notion of a very high resolution digital set, based on real world and spectacular locations, usable for film level effects shots. Crews have done bits and pieces of this approach before, but the idea is to make a plug and play collection of digital landscapes ready for straight use or novel modification, all capitalizing on what 3D can afford. For example, taking a mountain range and relighting it, adding shadow-casting clouds, creating calamitous events are all possible with this fusion. We will be giving a presentation on the topic at Gnomon in early April, as well as forming an upcoming DVD title on it.

Training new blood in any field is important. The challenge for those with the experience is presenting the training on the appropriate medium. 3D software tuition on DVD opened the way for people to find out what goes on. The Gnomon Workshop was eager to capture Hanson’s experience as well as many others wanting to share the nature of doing film level visual effects with those wanting to learn the field. “VFX has long been too cloistered“, says Hanson, “and DVD instruction is a perfect way to demonstrate and de-mystify it. Those concerned with keeping their well earned knowledge secret. don’t benefit the field and the social good of it’s members. The value of the individual will always be the basis of the VFX field to make working within it, enjoyable. The Gnomon Workshop have an amazing array of titles in planning and production this year, and I believe the field will benefit.“

Killer Tips
Scott Kelby is well known in the Photoshop community for magazines, association and road shows. He also publishes a number of ‘Killer Tips’ books for many aspects of the same product. Hanson took a call one day from the New Rider publishers asking if he’d like to do a similar book about Alias Maya. “I realized it would be a perfect fit for 3D artists“, remarks Hanson. “Just as I say ‘like hot pockets and programmers’. The snippet based tip structure was much like our tutorials and forum-based banter in the 3D community. We are all ‘tip hounds’ using these complex tools. The book was an awful lot of hard work, but similar to the DVDs I was able to relate and distill much of the hard-earned technique I learned over the years. It seems a giveaway at US$29.95! So I figure it is a good deal for Maya artists out there, especially if it streamlines their learning and avoids a lot of the headaches along their way.“

Eric Hanson's extra-curricular activities include: death-defying camping trips, mountain biking, hang gliding, photography and astronomy.

Eric Hanson’s advice to those set on moving into the 3D clique can take his words at face value. Digital set designer, animator or matte painter, the advice is the same. “The main thing is to realize VFX is somewhat of a privileged private club with a big bouncer at the door. Understanding your audience (HR departments and recruiters) will go far, because if you are seen as part of the club initially it will grease your way in. Knowing well the tools used, having good self-criticism skills, getting along with strong personalities, and knowing the ebb and flow of projects can all be essential. Being tenacious and having perseverance can help the early days of trying to gain entry. Don’t send out a reel unless you are truly ready for the field. Remember the fortune cookie saying of ‘Success is preparation meets opportunity’. In the end, Scott Ross of Digital Domain put it well, ‘VFX is not a business, it is a passion!’ "

Related Links
Eric Hanson
The Gnomon Workshop