Compositor


 * Compositor By Steve Tuohy **

**Role Title** Compositors combine visual elements from separate sources, to create single images.

**What** **I****s** **C****ompositing?** Compositing can be best described as the manipulated combination of at least two source images to produce an integrated result. Another way to think of compositing would be as the process of combining multiple picture/film layers or “elements” to make them seem as though they were shot/filmed with the same camera, at the same time. The environment, in compositing terms, is considered the background or “BG Plate” and is usually live action footage. Some common examples of image elements that can go into a composite image are: blue/green screens, CGI (computer generated imagery) characters and objects, practicals, miniature models, matte paintings, text, etc. and BG plate (live action photography).

**A Compositor’s Role** The compositor's job is an important one. The compositor is responsible for weaving all of the pieces of visuals together so that they make sense to the eye. After movies are filmed, the videos to be combined are given to the compositor. After days of hard work, a five minute clip is finished and is ready to be added to the movie. Editing pictures can be easy and hard depending on the time spent and/or required quality of the finished product.

**What** **S****kills** **A****re** **N****eeded** **T****o** **B****ecome** **A** **C****ompositor?** **1)** Become a problem solver. Probably the most important skill you can possess, is the ability to problem solve and be resourceful. Quite often, image elements are assigned to a compositor that don't fit together at all and it's the compositor's responsibility to make them seamless and believable when they are composited. **2)** Train your eye. A compositor typically works from the back and then forward. He/she also has to be familiar with things like camera movement, lighting, shadows, colour, contrast, atmospheric perspective,composition, etc.

Suggested cources include, Graphic Design, Multimedia/Digital Art and Fine Art.

**OH&S** There are no major OH&S aspects for a compositor, apart from the electrical cables from the computers could be tripped on. And taking regular breaks, so you don’t get square eyes from staring at the monitor for so long.

As technology has advanced, compositing has progressed from basic stuff, like //[|The Great Train Robbery] (1903), to Jurassic Park//
 * Impact Of Technology **

[|Edwin S. Porter] - //[|The Great Train Robbery]// (1903) media type="youtube" key="E6r-105ZhZU" height="345" width="420"
 * Famous Compositors **

Beau Leon - **American Idiot** (2005) media type="youtube" key="YqZOYgUolC4" height="345" width="560" For a majority of shooting the 'American Idiot' music video, the band members weren't in the same video. (Like above)