Digital composers create images by combining elements from various sources for film, TV, or print media. A BFA degree is common but not necessary. There are two types of digital compositing: image and video. A portfolio is essential to showcase skills and style.
Digital composers are responsible for creating images by integrating other images from various sources. Composers usually work in the film, television, or print media industry. The images they create can serve as dramatic special effects or be designed to blend unobtrusively into the background. Digital compositing is a growing field and can be quite lucrative depending on your skill level. To become a digital composer, you’ll need to earn certifications and build a portfolio.
A common way to become a digital composer is to earn a four-year Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree. This type of degree focuses on teaching the fundamentals of art theory as well as the practical aspect of art such as specific tools and methods. There are many specialist art schools and major universities that offer BFAs. While it is possible to independently study and gain the skill set needed to become a digital composer without earning a BFA, the degree will assure potential employers that you have a broad base of knowledge to base different types of typesetting work on.
The two main types of digital compositing are image and video. Image composers work with still images, taking elements from different sources and combining them to produce a final product. Many of these artists also work with the people who create the source images. They may not be photographers or illustrators, but they are able to tell these people what they need in terms of lighting and composition. A good source material makes compositing a lot easier.
Video composers perform similar tasks to image composers, except that they render hundreds or thousands of frames at once and have effects that progress over time. This adds immense complexity to an already difficult field, but creates very impressive end products. Composite video is a crucial part of most modern films, where actors often work in front of a green screen and have exotic backgrounds added later. If you become a digital composer and work in video, you will likely be directly involved in filming and post-editing.
To become a digital composer, you’ll need a portfolio. Your BFA tells your employer that you have a good foundation and your portfolio, or demo reel, shows the employer what type of work you work in and what style you work in. A good portfolio will include a full range of your work. If you choose to specialize in a specific area, such as flame effects or fantasy-style compositing, your portfolio should still include a wide variety in your chosen specialty.
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