Animation Apprentice Student Rory Marchant Finds Work at Prime Focus

Animation Apprentice Student Rory Marchant recently found work at Prime Focus, working as a match move (also known as tracking) artist in their visual effects department.

So what, exactly, is match move? Wikipedia defines it as: "a cinematic technique that allows the insertion of computer graphics into live-action footage with correct position, scale, orientation, and motion relative to the photographed objects in the shot."

In visual effects, match move is an entry-level position, a great starting point for any digital artist hoping to establish a toehold in the industry.

When I worked at Cinesite, many matchmove artists went on to other roles in the company, including a number who came from the match move department into animation.

The important thing to remember for our students is that it doesn't really matter how you break into the visual effects industry. What your entry level job description does not matter - the key thing is to get a foot in the door.

We congratulate Rory on making such a great start to his career.

---Alex

For more on finding work in the animation and visual effects business, read our post on how to find a job in the animation industry, and check out our post about what not to do at a job interview. Also see our post on starting your own small animation business, learn how to create an invoice, and see how we are helping our students find work through our film co-operative Nano Films.  Download the free Escape Studios Careers in VFX Handbook. Take a look at how awn.com can help you find a job, and read our piece about how to survive as a freelance animator. Also, find out what Cinesite look for in a student's demo reel, and read our post on setting up your own animation business.)