Video games
Visual effects and animation
Digital experiences
The visual effects and simulations (FX) artist is responsible for creating digital special effects for films, episodic series, commercials, immersive experiences, and video games. He or she works from artistic direction or drawings provided by concept artists to produce simulations of natural elements (fire, water, earth, and air), atmospheric phenomena (rain, snow, clouds, etc.), magical effects such as transformations or spells, and destruction and explosion effects.
Crédit: SYNTHÈSE Photo: Priss Auvray
Duties and responsibilities
Create crowd effects. In some cases, this task is performed by a crowd artist.
Create object destruction effects (explosions, collapsing buildings, etc.).
Create systems for particle and fluid animation.
If you like
Cinema and its production process (e.g., watching documentaries about special effects breakdowns, behind-the-scenes footage, or making-of features).
Special effects, trickery, and magic.
Science, such as physics and mathematics.
Qualities and skills
Qualities
Problem solving. You need to be able to deal with constraints (technical, time, style, etc.) and find solutions when the methods used do not produce the desired effect.
Attention to detail. Whether reproducing a natural or physical phenomenon or representing a magical element, creating special effects that are consistent with the narrative and artistic direction requires great attention to detail.
Curiosity.
Common tools and software
Software
3ds Max
Blender
Houdini
Maya
Unreal Engine
Team members
Artists (animator, concept artist, modeling artist, texture artist, lighting artist, image composition artist, etc.)
Effects and Simulations Team Lead (FX Lead)
Artistic Director
Opportunities for advancement
Effects and Simulations Team Leader (FX lead)
Effects and Simulations Supervisor (FX Supervisor)
Study programs
Some of the skills needed to work as an FX artist can be developed in the following programs. Find out about the specific features of each school to see which one best suits your interests.
Diploma of College Studies (DCS)
Techniques d’animation 3D et de synthèse d’images in French
Cégep de Matane, Cégep Limoilou, Cégep du Vieux Montréal, Collège Bart, Collège Dawson, Collège de Bois-de-Boulogne, Collège O'Sullivan de Québec, Institut GrassetTechniques cinématographiques et télévisuelles in French
Cégep de Jonquière, Collège BartTechnique en dessin animé in French
Cégep du Vieux Montréal
Salary
In the province of Quebec, the hourly wage for a visual effects artist ranges from $20 for beginners to $47.98 for experienced professionals, with a median salary of $28.57, according to data from the Government of Canada (2024).
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