As the name suggests, the 3D animation supervisor is the cornerstone of the animation team: working directly with the director, he or she has a very clear idea of the director’s expectations, which he or she passes on to the team of animators in pre-production. They also liaise with other studios that may be working on the same project, to ensure that the animation is consistent.
THE TASKS OF THE 3D ANIMATION SUPERVISOR
At ESMA, students in the 3D Animation Cinema section aim to join the film industry in positions of responsibility, for example as 3D animation supervisors.
To set the scene and define the tasks of a 3D supervisor, let’s take the definition from the Répertoire National des Certifications Professionnelles: “based on the script and in collaboration with the production team, the 3D animation supervisor guides and supervises the artistic and technical creation of an audiovisual work. He/she oversees all the activities involved in producing the project (design, pre-production, production, post-production) from an artistic, logistical and technical point of view, in order to ensure that production runs smoothly and that the work is delivered on time and on budget.
He or she directs all stages of 3D animation production and validates the production’s choices in terms of recruiting creative teams and work pipelines”
HIS SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE
He listens carefully to his team of animators, whom he sees on a regular basis to give them the best possible direction, and is highly organised, having to meet quality and deadline requirements. It’s the diverse experience he’ll have acquired, and the quality of his work, that will gradually enable him to be entrusted with increasingly important projects.
This job requires a high level of commitment.
According to Kristof Serrand, 3D animation supervisor on the film Dragons, two skills are essential to this job: the ability to put yourself in the shoes of the characters, to stage and act them in the best possible way; and a strong team spirit. The 3D animation supervisor will be able to supervise his or her teams in the best possible conditions, for optimum results!
CAREER AND DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES
The job varies according to the size of the studio: the 3D animation supervisor may have to manage a dozen or so animators, or be at the heart of a team made up of a few hundred people!
As with many 3D professions, 3D animation supervisors generally work on a freelance or casual basis.
Over time, 3D animation supervisors may go on to become art directors, 3D directors, production designers or special effects supervisors.
