- Formation CG Animation & FX
How to become a Compositor? The compositor is both an artist and a technician. His work consists in assembling, mixing several sources of images or special effects (digital live shots or images created with 2D or 3D software, fixed or animated) in order to create a single shot integrated in the editing of a film so that the result appears natural, even if it contains virtual elements.
The compositor is both an artist and a technician. His work consists in assembling, mixing several sources of images or special effects.
An image arranger
Let’s dare to draw a parallel between the compositor and the musical arranger!
The latter, who is not necessarily the composer of the music, must put the right note, in the right place, created by the right instrument. The arranger uses the right ingredients and creates a musical alchemy in the finalization of a work.
The compositor also creates an alchemy, but an alchemy of images in the 3D area. He is a professional who uses various sources of images (assembly of the various elements rendered to create a scene: foreground, background, characters, set elements…) in order to make a single shot and integrate it into the editing of a film, an advertisement…
Clearly, the compositor gathers all the graphic elements produced for the film to obtain the final image, which needs to be both coherent and homogeneous.
Organisation and creativity
The compositor is a true artist. He works on the atmosphere of the film, and retouches certain images with the aim of optimizing the artistic quality.
This job requires attention to detail in image composition (integration, colors, lighting) and also the ability to perform multiple tasks, set priorities and solve problems. The compositor is therefore creative, logical, autonomous and very well organized.
Obviously, the world of images is based on the know-how of compositors who work in most areas of animation and post-production. They are a category of the VFX set. It is essential for them that they have a perfect knowledge of the management process, and of specific software (animations, graphics, special effects, live action sequences, 2D animations).
The labour market in this sector is flourishing. With experience after a higher education program in 3D animation and special effects, you will be able to work your way up, and aim for a position as a sequence supervisor, composition supervisor or even special effects supervisor, building on the artistic, technical and decision-making skills you have acquired over the years.
The compositor works in a studio, in an agency, or as a freelancer. He may be needed occasionally, on missions requiring short and intense work, or on a regular basis for animation films, feature films or commercials.
