Digital Visual Effects and Motion Graphics Artist

[Christian Lett]

Hi all,

My name is Christian Lett - I'm a Midlands-based digital effects artist producing visual effects and motion graphics for film and video.

As well as personal projects my visual effects experience includes producing 70 shots for a feature film, and providing invisible effects and continuity corrections to a sitcom pilot. Recently I've been working with a Los Angeles-based film-maker to add gunshot elements to his action short.

I use Maya for 3D modeling and animation, and After Effects for compositing (putting it all together!). Presently I'm equipped to handle standard definition work, but will be upgrading very soon with high definition capabilities.

My motion graphics work has mainly been for corporate films, and includes title sequences, animated company identities, and animated diagrams demonstrating new company procedures.

Many of these shots can be seen in my demo reel on my website (http://www.quarterlightpictures.com) (Flash video - 6mb). It is also available on DVD with extra demonstrations, and you can request a copy by sending me a private message or emailing me from the website. You can also call me anytime during the week on my mobile - 07738 730414. I'll be updating the reel periodically, so be sure to drop by every couple of months or so to check out the new stuff!

If you have any ideas for adding animation or effects to your films, or need a good quality key from a greenscreen shoot, please get in touch for a chat.

Thanks for reading!

Christian

[Pavelware]

Love the showreel man.

Perhaps I will be in touch early 2009 about some visual effects shots, I'll keep you posted.

What method do you usually work through clients with?

[Christian Lett]

Hi there. Thanks for the comment. Please do get in touch - I'd love to discuss some VFX with you.

What method do you usually work through clients with?

In terms of VFX, well I've only done one film and I was VFX supervisor (VFX everything actually!) on that, so I dealt with the director and was on set to shoot the effects plates, etc.

Normally though I work directly with whoever has hired me - in the case of the corporate stuff, it was the people who commissioned the films, or as I'm doing at the moment, with the production company who are making the film for their own client. In the latter case I'll not have any direct contact with the commissioning party, and go solely through my contact at the production company. In any case, a single point-of-contact is best for me for consistency.

Generally I work from home - it's easy nowadays to use file-sharing sites to pass work-in-progress shots back and forth between each other. However if it's a fixed-term contract I'll happily uproot for a month or so and work on site. Depending on the scale of the job I like a face-to-face meeting at least once before I start work as it's good to get a few ideas down on paper and a good chat over a coffee/beer!

Payment-wise, it's all worked out beforehand based on an agreed estimation of the work required. Again, depending on the scale and duration of the job, I'll invoice in installments, usually with an up-front payment before I start work. Changes to the scope of the work (extra shots, etc.) will mean a re-working of the quote.

I don't tend to do collaboration work any more though (i.e. for no/deferred pay) - not because I'm mean, but simply because I can't afford to! :)

All the best,

Christian

[Pavelware]

I like your approach, it was exactly what I was looking to hear.

I'm not sure yet whether or not my offer would involve upping sticks for a month, although the odd day and perhaps one particular four day stretch would be unavoidable. Ideally I'd be looking to go through the standard motions in face to face meetings.

- Previsualistion / Storyboarding of VFX shots / Consistencies
- Planning
- Shooting Plates (this four day stretch I mention, where I would definitely want you to see what's being shot)

Then it would all be in your end of the park until we get round to throwing files backwards and forwards towards completion.

...but, I'll get round to all this closer to the time, it's good to know you're here.