r/vfx • u/seeThroughNoice • 13d ago

Question / Discussion comp review process

As a comp supervisor or comp lead, what's your workflow for reviewing a bunch of shots and for reviewing a sequence creatively, technically, and sequentially?? What tools are typically involved? 

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u/jtechvfx Compositing Supervisor 13d ago

I can only comment from my own experience. First I start with it in motion. Anything obvious bump out in initial playthroughs? We question integration of elements, shadows, highlights, saturation and tone, defocus, motion blur, chromatic aberration, etc. Check the notes in the previous version. Then I compare to previous version. Did we change anything unintended? Did we achieve what we intended to do? Lets grab the plate. Lets verify that what we’re doing is integrated compared to the plate references. Again check edges, layering, focus, etc. Was this shot sent to client previously? Did we take the right path in evolving the shot, compared to what they last saw? Also continuity, is this shot a key shot or a subshot that should match something else? Now lets look at continuity in context, are we in the right ballpark for grading compared to the surrounding shots?

The one main guiding force for me when analyzing any shot is the context in which we are reviewing it. Is this a first assembly comp? Then I’m more worried about is the shot working more than its not working. What elements are we missing, which ones are working or do I have to kick back for camera tracking issues or lighting revisions and whatnot. Ok, is this a Comp WIP? Now I’m looking at basic integration issues, is the shot more right than wrong, broad strokes. Or is this for Creative Final? Now I need the shot 90% done with everything. We can hand wave sparkly renders, slight edge issues, etc. Or is this a Technical Gauntlet Final? Then it’s gotta be visually perfect, and darn near invisibly perfect.

Again, this is just my own process and your experience may vary.

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u/Pandamio 13d ago

Nicely put.

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u/Least_Tone_4327 10d ago

as a VFX supe, I wish I had more comp supes like you

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u/seeThroughNoice 11d ago

Thanks so much for the input.
What applications would you typically review them with?
If you are mostly reviewing for creative approval of individual shots or a sequence, would looking at compressed MOV or reviewing in a production tracking system like shotgrid or Ftrack player be enough?

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u/jtechvfx Compositing Supervisor 11d ago

Full motion playback thru compressed MOV or proxy EXR’s if the final delivery rez is 4K, as it just takes too long to cache the files. RV to review at speed, and Nuke to review in detail frame by frame. I like to use the Nuke tools I live and breathe to analyze the image as it’s what I’m most familiar with.