<DAZ_mattw> if anyone has their screen get excessively large, click the 'clear chat' button
<DAZ_mattw> hi everyone
<DAZ_mattw> we'll be getting started shortly
<DAZ_mattw> this is our third Artzone featured chat
<DAZ_mattw> tonight's guest is Matt Welch
<DAZ_mattw> we can start queueing up questions
<DAZ_mattw> to ask a question, click on 'QuestionBot' on the right side panel and send him a private message with your question
<DAZ_Biggie> How long have you been at PlanetBlue?
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> I started here as a runner about 9 years ago, and then worked my way through the machine room, studied under the owner of the company and then became a flame artist
<DAZ_mattw> Welcome Matt Welch, aka, inefx1
<DAZ_mattw> Sorry for the delay, everyone
<budinsky> Rope-Man from demo real--where was it used anyway?
<DAZ_mattw> Once again, to ask Matt a Question, click on QuestionBot on the right hand side, and send it as a private message
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> That was for a direct TV commercial
<Ilenora> Hi, I don't really know a question, but... For someone who doesn't live in any large city, doesn't have any training, and doesn't have many programs or such, how would I get into the big business?
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> The old saying is true that it is not what you know but who you know
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> try your best to get a hold of that software..... it is hard to come by, but if you can get access to it, it will give you a way to get to the large cities
<Ilenora> Hi, may I ask what a flame artist is? Does he do flames? ^_^
<westonmi> Hi matt, what is a flame artist?
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> when you see a blue screen or green screen, we are the guys that extract them from that scene and put them in the actual scene
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> whether it is photographic or live action
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> etc...
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> :)
<budinsky> When do you wake up?
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> It varies depending on how late i worked the night before!
<Thunderwave> How important is music to your work, if at all?
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> When i am editing, it is very important... it has alot to do with the flow and mood and of the piece.... weighs very heavy in editing and as far as effects, it doesn't
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> weigh as heavily
<FrozenFrame> Out of working in movies,video games and TV what have you persnally enjoyed more. And why.
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> The video game stuff.... the guys i have worked with at SCEA have given us alot of freedom
<Liquid Monkey Brain> When shooting green screen, what would you consider minimal and optimal placement for screen, camera, and actor
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> Depends on what you are trying to shoot really....
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> the main importance with the green screen is that it is easily lit, and there are no shadows, etc.
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> evenly lit... :)
<Ilenora> Was there a certain game that you enjoyed working on?
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> I really have only worked on God Of War... that is the best though!
<DAZ_Biggie> Who has the biggest ego? Film guy, Commercial guy, or video game guy...? :)
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> LOL!
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> not sure if i should say this... but advertising agencies
<Ilenora> How often do you work? Do you ever take days off? :)
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> My days off depend on what kind of year. This year has been very busy. I average 6 days a week, 8-10 hours a day
<budinsky> ;)
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> :)
<ynsaen> why do you say advertising agencies have the biggest egos (aside from being truth)?
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> LOL
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> it is a very competitive world... they are dog-eat-dog with each other
<budinsky> Is ewerything done by folowing Client's Storyboards or you can implement your ideas also?
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> good question.
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> alot of the time the boards are the guidlines, but if we have a good idea that we think would work much better, we will put that in there
<Ravnheart> How would you advise someone that wanted to break into the commercial area. How should they go about it?
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> get your reel together and start shopping around
<DAZ_mattw> ok
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> So would you guys like to take a look at some of my work?
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> :)
<DAZ_mattw> taking a brief break from the deluge of questions, we have some screenshots to show off
<DAZ_mattw> and Matt will have some comments to go with them, then we will resume Q&A
<DAZ_mattw> 
<DAZ_mattw> (BTW, for new chat users, you can click the image itself to view a larger version)
<DAZ_mattw> and let me add that I am a HUGE Alias fan, and I am bummed that it got cancelled.
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> This is a test we did for the opening for Alias... we didn't get it but, this is the final still for the reveal
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> another big part of my job is doing motion graphics
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> along with compositing and so on :)
<DAZ_mattw> 
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> This is from the game God Of War.
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> The elements they gave me were the Oracle, which is the girl in the foreground, the character Kratos, and the background which are the elements that were supplied for me
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> all the lighting and the partical dancers were all created in the Flame
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> Does anyone have any specific questions regarding the last two images?
<DAZ_mattw> I'm curious if this shot is from in-game cutscenes/FMV, or from promotional footage?
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> It is from the in-game
<DAZ_mattw> sweet. my PS2 died right before GoW came out, or I'd have picked it up. looked awesome.
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> I wish you could see this stuff in motion... it makes alot more sense then :)
<DAZ_mattw> 
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> This was for the latino film festival in NY that Amtrak sponsored... what we did was take a photograph over a piece of film on a light box.....
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> and then i composited the Amtrak logo on there and then created the audio tracks
<DAZ_mattw> (If someone does want to see some footage from God of War, I'll supply a link to some video at the end)
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> and when the piece moves, the Amtrak goes away and you would see images of trains going by as if they are in the film
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> and then i added in a bunch of train sound effects
<Ilenora> What are you currently working on?
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> Right now we are working on Game Show Network, Mattel, Ikea, and then Verizon stuff coming up in another week or so
<Ravnheart> What work did you do for God of War?
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> I did 7 of the cinematics....
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> we didn't do the CGI, but we did various types of compositing in the cinematics
<budinsky> Did you have any time to make some kids;)?
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> LOL!!! I am single.... living in Santa Monica and am enjoying the bachelor life!
<Elorenk> Did you do the cinematics alone, or with the help of others?
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> The CGI was given to us, and then i did the compositing on my own
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> its a tough one, because i could go on for days about what was actually done
<budinsky> I get impresion that you are doing a lot of diferent parts(editing/flame/sound effects), so what part of your job do you enjoy the most?
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> Hmmmmm i like them all.... but if i had to choose one, i would say Flame because there is alot of creativity there
<Ravnheart> Is the money as good as people think?:)
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> LOL! It's not bad... :)
<DAZ_Biggie> A lot of folks here are animators... Have you ever had any animation aspirations?
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> Not really... when i first started getting into this, i started playing around in LightWave, but then realized i didn't have the patience for it, and found that 2d gives the results alot faster! :)
<Liquid Monkey Brain> what software do you use for compositing? Any particular reasons or advantages to that choice?
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> I use the Flame....
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> That is the best of the best in compositing systems although there are alot of other good ones out there....
<Elorenk> How big is the opportunity in this field? Do most people fail to break in?
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> It is a tough, competitive field... alot of people are trying to get into it right now
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> but that shouldn't keep you from trying, because there is also alot of work to be done out there!
<Ilenora> Have you done work on a music video before? If so, what was your favourite?
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> Yes... we did Stained (song Fade)... there are some images of that on my profile
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> that was a fun one though... it was something like 120 shots
<DAZ_mattw> 
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> and alot of collaboration with 3d artists
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> oh, there it is :)
<DAZ_mattw> also very cool:
<DAZ_mattw> 
<Ravnheart> Do you ahve to have a background in traditional arts? What kind of background should you have?
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> NO way!!! I am living proof of that!
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> Before i got into this business, i was driving big toys and working in warehouses :)
<DAZ_Biggie> well, you were a runner for 9 years before you got your start, so... lol
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> A year Biggie... a YEAR! LOL!!!
<budinsky> So what Big toy wore you driving/curiositty?
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> Forklifts, and delivery trucks... all the fun ones...
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> and now get your mind out of the gutter!!!
<Elorenk> Congratulations on your success. Where do you see yourself in ten years?
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> Thank you.... hopefully doing visual effects supervision and break into the film industry as an effects supervisor
<pagex> I have a son interested in game programming any suggestions where to send him?
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> It depends if he knows how to program
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> and if he does.... start hitting up the game companies sending resumes out.
<FrozenFrame> Hey Matt would you happen to have any advice to give to a soon to be graduate getting into the industry. Emphasis on composting and modeling. Currently building my reel and curious about what is most effective. breakdowns? or just lots of eyecandy?
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> For your 3d stuff, breakdowns are very important
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> for the modeling... 3d as well
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> keep your windows short for compositing
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> oops... i meant your reels (keep them short)
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> when we look at a demo reel, if it is over 2.5 mins... we get bored and turn it off.
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> Make it short and sweet with your best work
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> If you are doing some kindof DVD, put it in a different section on your DVD, so it is there if people want to see it
<Liquid Monkey Brain> Any tips on how to shoot footage that will have elements that need to be motion matched in?
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> Make sure you have good tracking points!
<Thunderwave> Is it common or rare for musicians and artists to work together.
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> In the editorial it is more common, as far as effects: no
<ynsaen> Do you do much personal art, or do yo see yourself as more a craftsman, less an artist?
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> In my free time, i am always doing something such as reading, or doing something to try and come up with that "next cool idea"
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> sometimes they are cool, and sometimes they suck :)
<DAZ_Biggie> if you could choose any other profession, would you still be doing what you do?
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> The only other option i would do is professional baseball..
<Ilenora> A bit of a different question... How often do you use computer talk? Like LOL, gr8, and such? ;)
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> very rarely
<budinsky> What next cool idea? Any interest in Filmaking/Directing?
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> Not really, no...
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> directing doesnt seem that interesting to me... maybe writing a script, but not a director or producer
<Spiritfoxy> When you started as a runner, was it your plan to become and editor, etc, or did it just sort of happen?
<DAZ_mattw> [For anyone coming late, if you have a question for Matt Welch, click 'QuestionBot' on the right hand side, to send your question to QuestionBot as a private message]
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> The opportunity was there, and i took advantage of it... and in that process i found out it was something i really enjoyed.
<Thunderwave> Would you care to work for a great series of games like Final Fantasy? Where you may be with them for a long time.
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> No not really... i like variety in my work and having different challenges
<Ilenora> I would like to be an FX artist one day. What do you think the best was to start off is?
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> Get to know your software first....
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> become very proficient at it... then get a reel together and start shopping around
<DAZ_mattw> do you feel like getting to work on lots of different things is important as far as advancing your career?
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> Yes.
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> very important
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> You learn something new in every project
<Flak> What software gets used to do the "flame" part of it all?
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> The software is called Flame... it is made by AutoDesk
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> it runs on a unit-based system
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> But they are starting to do Unix
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> wait... cant type :) It runs on a Unix based system, but the software is coming out on Linux
<Elorenk> Did you attend training for Flame, or learn it on your own?
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> I learned it from the owner of Planet Blue (Maury Rosenfeld).
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> To give you an idea of his experience, he was one of the visual effects supervisor for the original Pee Wee's Playhouse
<DAZ_mattw> heh, there's a discreet flame box on ebay for a mere $125,000
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> LOL! That is actually a good price!'
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> It depends on the version though...
<DAZ_mattw> this one is 8.5, octane mxe 300mhz, 1gb memory, 1 hour storage
<DAZ_mattw> I noticed in your profile that you worked on God of War. Obviously, that was a huge hit. How does it feel to have a project you work on really pan out like that?
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> AWESOME! We are working on Part 2 as we speak
<budinsky> Doulby Digital wather drops efects looks so real/Maya Fluids?RealFlaw?
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> It was actually shot on film and enhanced in Flame. I didn't do that on film, our old artist did that...
<DAZ_Chad Smith> After your comments about the big toys I'm wondering, did you move to LA to work in film and then get sidetracked, or did you grow up there? Just curious as to the leap from working in warehouses to PlanetBlue...
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> LOL... i was born and raised in L.A. GO DODGERs!
<sandee329> how long did it take to learn the software (flame)... to a degree that you could be effective with "real" jobs?
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> Probably about 2 years
<DAZ_Biggie> What is your favorite cartoon series
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> Family Guy?
<sandee329> how did you progress from beginner to artist? did you have to serve alot of coffee to the customers?
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> Yep... i have served my fair share of coffee...
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> but i jumped into an assistant position pretty quick
<Lunastar> Do you work from home, or ever work on location?
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> I always work from the office
<budinsky> How many guys/girlls are working with you at Blue Planet?
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> We have 7 total in staff, including myself
<sandee329> I've heard that ad agency types are ... well... "difficult". Do you have any war stories?
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> No, not really
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> you have to remember that they are the client, and you really just have to do what they say
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> there is alot of "tongue biting" however :)
<DAZ_Biggie> What is the list of tools you work with on a daily basis...?
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> Flame, Avid, very little amount of PhotoShop
<DAZ_Biggie> You said that you were mentored by Maury (co-owner of PlanetBlue), do you have less experienced folks that you now mentor?
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> Yes, we are in the process of teaching my assistant
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> this company very strongly believes promotion within. I am very lucky that way. Alot of companies don't do that.
<sandee329> have you ever used tracking software?
<sandee329> Or, does the inferno's tracking software do the job? (or how about "boo-joo" or "synth-eyes")
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> We us Boujou all the time
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> and i use the trackers in the Flame
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> and the Flame trackers are one of the best out there for 2d tracking
<DAZ_Biggie> Do you enjoy training/ teaching?
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> I enjoy it, although I am not that good at it :)
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> I understand concepts very well, but i have a had time conveying them to other people
<DAZ_mattw> We are winding down our featured chat for tonight
<DAZ_mattw> We'd like to thank Matt Welch for coming by and chatting with us, it was great having you!
<DAZ_mattw> And we'd like to thank everyone for hanging with us, and coming up with some great questions.
<DAZ_mattw> next week, we're going to have our "very own" Sarah Decker (aka Sarsa) on
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> Ok, looks like time is up... First off, thanks for having me
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> Alot of the work i have seen on this site looks really good... alot of good 3d stuff
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> I am really rooting for anyone out there trying to make it in this business. I am living proof that anyone can make it in this business
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> So, just hit the road hard and don't give up!
<DAZ_mattw> Definitely you are an inspiration to the aspiring artists in our community
<DAZ_mattw> I think it's great that the boom in digital work is creating a lot of opportunities for people to move into the fields they enjoy
<Matt Welch(inefx1)> I look forward to seeing everyone's work!
<DAZ_mattw> Also, here's the promised link for God of War: http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/action/godofwar/index.html?q=god%20of%20war
<DAZ_mattw> there is some video there you can see
<DAZ_mattw> Moderation is off.
<DAZ_mattw> Hope everyone enjoyed the chat.
<Thunderwave> Phwew, what an inspiration!
<FrozenFrame> that was great
<Spiritfoxy> very good, thank you! *smile*
<Atomica> thank you
<Flak> thanks for your time Matt :)
<Thunderwave> I have GodThank you
<Ravnheart> Thanks Matt :)
<AzureBlue> Thanks Matt
<ImmortalImaging> Thank you, and Jarrod thanks for setting it up
<DAZ_mattw> anyone know if GoW2 is going to be PS2 or PS3?
<Thunderwave> it is already out
<Peterk2004> Enjoyed following along with the chat. Thank you.
<DAZ_mattw> oh!
<Thunderwave> The next one may be PS3
<DAZ_mattw> my PS2 died right before gow1 came out
<DAZ_mattw> heh
<Thunderwave> Yeah my sister highly suggested it to me and wanted the free soundtarack to download.
<Spiritfoxy> nite all
<DAZ_Chad Smith> Well, have a good night everyone. (Or whatever time it is where ever you are in the world.)
<Deecey> Good night Chad 8-)
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