Interview Question: Manooj Manoharan, Rotoscoping Artist and Compositor
In the dynamic world of visual effects (VFX), one name that stands out is Manooj Manoharan. Hailing from India, Manooj recently moved to Montreal and has made a significant impact in the industry.
Manooj's career in VFX began in 2011 at BOT VFX, where he started as a roto artist. His day-to-day work involves meticulously planning workflows and acquiring project details from leads or supervisors before embarking on big projects.
As a roto artist, Manooj's life would be incomplete without the essential keys on his keyboard - Ctrl+Z, Ctrl+S, and the Arrow Keys. These tools have been his trusted companions as he navigates through his intricate digital paintings.
Manooj's all-time favourite films and TV series include the gripping drama Chernobyl, the action-packed The Avengers series, the suspenseful Jack Ryan, and the regional favourite Sacred Games. His love for storytelling through visuals extends beyond the screen, as he also shares his knowledge and passion through a YouTube channel, where he posts tutorials and podcasts on VFX and animation.
Manooj's work has been featured in several prominent projects, including The Witches, For All Mankind, and Stranger Things. He takes pride in his work on The Witches by Robert Zemeckis.
Creative burnout is a common challenge in the VFX industry, but Manooj has his coping mechanisms. He takes walks, calls friends, watches funny videos, or continues to read books to rejuvenate his creative spirit. He also schedules breaks during remote work to prevent overindulgence.
Manooj stays hydrated and snacks on dry fruits during work hours. When the pandemic hit, he treated himself to homemade sweets and cakes.
To push his creative limits, Manooj reads technical blogs and finds inspiration from platforms like Behance and various YouTube channels. His go-to Boris FX plugins are Foundry Nuke, Silhouette, and Mocha Pro.
If given the opportunity, Manooj would love to collaborate with director Neill Blomkamp. Despite his success, Manooj advises his younger self to build a YouTube channel with professional content, learn Python, and work hard, as he believes the movie industry is about to undergo a significant change.
While detailed information about Manooj's VFX career journey is not extensively documented, his work speaks volumes about his dedication and talent in the field. His journey serves as an inspiration for aspiring VFX artists, demonstrating that with hard work and passion, one can make a mark in this competitive industry.
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Technology plays a crucial role in Manooj's VFX work, as he relies on essential keys on his keyboard and Boris FX plugins for seamless navigation and project completion. His go-to tools include Ctrl+Z, Ctrl+S, Arrow Keys, Foundry Nuke, Silhouette, and Mocha Pro.
Manooj also expresses his passion for visual effects and animation through a YouTube channel, inviting others to learn from his tutorials and podcasts, thereby leveraging technology to share his knowledge and inspire others in the industry.
