Amazon's BLADE RUNNER 2099 Series

[Riceball]

Yeh, I'm looking at the people who worked on 2049. Some include people from Pinewood's Arcadia crew and such. I'll have to poke around a little bit more, especially since that because Amazon is involved with this, they might plomp in different studios on 2099

Make sure to have not only your resume updated and handy, but you'll also want to have a decent demo reel or portfolio to show as well. You don't necessarily need to know how to do any kind of digital effects whether it's lighting. modeling, compositiing, etc. but it definitely does help, even if it's not in the program(s) they use. However, some effects houses have been known to hire extremely talented "analog" artists and train them on their tools, but you would have to have a really good portfolio for that to happen I'd imagine.
I think your qualifications needed would also depend a lot on the size of the studio, a big studio like, say, Weta or ILM will be more likely to hire someone with talent but little to no experience and train them up because they can afford to. A smaller, studio, on the other hand, might not and might prefer to hire someone with both talent and experience because they don't have the time or personnel to do much training. While the big effects houses often have lots of specialists with dedicated teams of people who do just one process (ie just modeling, or just lighting, etc.) a smaller house might have their people do multiple jobs like acting as both modeler and animator, or compositor who also does their own lighting. So keep that in mind as well when applying.

 

[MattWinchell]

Make sure to have not only your resume updated and handy, but you'll also want to have a decent demo reel or portfolio to show as well. You don't necessarily need to know how to do any kind of digital effects whether it's lighting. modeling, compositiing, etc. but it definitely does help, even if it's not in the program(s) they use. However, some effects houses have been known to hire extremely talented "analog" artists and train them on their tools, but you would have to have a really good portfolio for that to happen I'd imagine.
I think your qualifications needed would also depend a lot on the size of the studio, a big studio like, say, Weta or ILM will be more likely to hire someone with talent but little to no experience and train them up because they can afford to. A smaller, studio, on the other hand, might not and might prefer to hire someone with both talent and experience because they don't have the time or personnel to do much training. While the big effects houses often have lots of specialists with dedicated teams of people who do just one process (ie just modeling, or just lighting, etc.) a smaller house might have their people do multiple jobs like acting as both modeler and animator, or compositor who also does their own lighting. So keep that in mind as well when applying.

I appreciate the advice. The current goal is Lucasfilm/ILM, especially since, with what you mentioned, they can train up people. I'm curious, but would you be willing to glance over my portfolio site and provide any critique? No worries if not:
www.matthewwinchell.com

 

[JamesM242]

HackinSpock - impressive work! Your portfolio is great - my one piece of advice, for what it is worth: expand on what you learned while at Animax Designs. Most of your projects have a great overview of the task and how you accomplished the end result. Given that your time at Animax is so relevant, elaborating on your time there seems like a good way to show your breadth of experience in a professional environment governed by budgets and timeline considerations. Good luck!

 

[MattWinchell]

HackinSpock - impressive work! Your portfolio is great - my one piece of advice, for what it is worth: expand on what you learned while at Animax Designs. Most of your projects have a great overview of the task and how you accomplished the end result. Given that your time at Animax is so relevant, elaborating on your time there seems like a good way to show your breadth of experience in a professional environment governed by budgets and timeline considerations. Good luck!

I appreciate the advice! I'll be sure to add more to the Animax section (I really did neglect that)!

 

[Tommy]

Just FYI for any future readers:

Two separate Blade Runner 2099 threads were combined at this point, so if the flow of the conversation up to now seems odd, that's why.

If the flow of the conversation after this point continues to seem odd, well... I guess that's on us!

 

[robstyle]

I appreciate the advice! I'll be sure to add more to the Animax section (I really did neglect that)!

Since the threads were merged I am having difficulty finding your original post between them.
The only way I can suggest getting work these days is start as a sub contractor / 3rd party employee. You may have to scale back to the basics to develop contacts and prove your worth and skills. After being self employed in and around the biz for a couple decades, I got in at a large shop by sweeping floors while the janitor was on vacation. Half the day I'd do janitor work, the other half was shop work. I ran a satellite shop a few times for them. I'll also tell you shop work can be very rewarding and fun but at the other end of the scale disappointing and miserable. The latter being bad management, egos and infighting amongst the ranks. It's the same with working on large productions VS independent. One dictates the work, the other offers creative freedom.

The little work I did on 2049 egos were abound. Go and watch the scenes where K and Joi are out in the rain, and see where the smoke and haze doesn't match. Someone's ego got in the way of it and that person won so the person hired to do that smoke and haze wasn't allowed to do their job and the final product suffered. Too many people tiptoe on eggshells on large productions. I'm just not that guy. It wasn't just 2049 either, same thing happened on Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. Except that time others had my back.

I only do independent contractor work anymore. The phone just rings and it's a job. Networking pays off and not just people in your field or department. Credit and such doesn't matter to me anymore. But starting out its everything. It also helps to understand other departments inner workings. On small productions that comes in handy when time is in question, scenes cut and how to work around it.

All that said, projects like a Blade Runner series could benefit from new blood as fresh eyes see things differently. In the end time is money.

 

[Tommy]

With the news of Disney+ introducing ads, I just had the worrying thought if Amazon takes a similar path:

Can you imagine getting interrupted by Liberty Mutual during Blade Runner of all things? I feel like that's pretty high up there on the list of titles that should never, ever cut to commercial break (it's not quite Schindler's List level, but darn close).

 

[robstyle]

Twitch is owned by Amazon and has been over run with ads to the point viewership is down. They have even been testing ads to paid subscribers. On twitch that's a death blow as there is no reason to support a streamer if you're being force fed ads.
Not long ago TV was free with the ad based system in place. Now with online content as profits are expected to rise quarterly and annually the powers that be are struggling to come up with new ways to make those goals. The ad based system is antequated. When it comes to movies and series the they are only encouraging piracy thread comes to mind. It took many years to come up with a way to profit off content online. What if Blade Runner 2099 is more like Idiocracy with its product placement? I mean, is Fudrukkers still around?

 

[Tommy]

What if Blade Runner 2099 is more like Idiocracy with its product placement? I mean, is Fudrukkers still around?

Well, product placement we can't complain about TOO much...

 

[joberg]

I don't care about products placements in the movie (certainly not in BR); commercials interrupting my viewing pleasure? Don't like it

 

[Jaitea]

Announced today that BR:2099 to be filmed in Belfast

NI Screen: Blade Runner 2099 to be filmed in Northern Ireland

The announcement comes as NI Screen confirms plans to spend about £53m by 2026 for a £431m return.

www.bbc.com

J

 

[Nth]

I'm tentatively excited. I'm still buying Blade Runner merchandise when I can find it. Just this month the three Blade Runner comic series finished with Blade Runner Origins, Blade Runner 2019 and Blade Runner 2029 and those are already on top of the Blade Runner Dust to Dust series and the Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep graphic novel version of the original book.
I see Black Lotus has a graphic novel series coming out as well. Don't know yet if it's a continuation of the TV series or an adaptation of it. So I'm still invested in the lore and expanded universe.

 

[blewis17]

Since the threads were merged I am having difficulty finding your original post between them.
The only way I can suggest getting work these days is start as a sub contractor / 3rd party employee. You may have to scale back to the basics to develop contacts and prove your worth and skills. After being self employed in and around the biz for a couple decades, I got in at a large shop by sweeping floors while the janitor was on vacation. Half the day I'd do janitor work, the other half was shop work. I ran a satellite shop a few times for them. I'll also tell you shop work can be very rewarding and fun but at the other end of the scale disappointing and miserable. The latter being bad management, egos and infighting amongst the ranks. It's the same with working on large productions VS independent. One dictates the work, the other offers creative freedom.

The little work I did on 2049 egos were abound. Go and watch the scenes where K and Joi are out in the rain, and see where the smoke and haze doesn't match. Someone's ego got in the way of it and that person won so the person hired to do that smoke and haze wasn't allowed to do their job and the final product suffered. Too many people tiptoe on eggshells on large productions. I'm just not that guy. It wasn't just 2049 either, same thing happened on Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. Except that time others had my back.

I only do independent contractor work anymore. The phone just rings and it's a job. Networking pays off and not just people in your field or department. Credit and such doesn't matter to me anymore. But starting out its everything. It also helps to understand other departments inner workings. On small productions that comes in handy when time is in question, scenes cut and how to work around it.

All that said, projects like a Blade Runner series could benefit from new blood as fresh eyes see things differently. In the end time is money.

Off topic a bit, but I respect your grounded outlook and straightforward advice. My brother worked at a couple of boutique animation studios to get his feet wet. Thought he had to be in LA or NY to get the good jobs in the film industry (sound engineer/editor, and later digital compositor). Had students of his who ended up working on some big films; but seems like it's almost ALL sub-contracted work now, where you get a job for a few months, finish the project... and then nothing, no guarantees. Then he got a chance to live and teach in Hollywood during the pandemic. Moved back to Orlando to teach, and won't move back.

So manage your expectations, realize there are a lot of personalities to deal with, don't shoot for fame & glory, just do your job well and move on when the time is right.

 

[dascoyne]

The showrunner is Silka Luisa whose prior credits include Halo and Shining Girls. I stand by my earlier prediction.

 

[Noeland]

Yeah, I'm not holding my breath.

 

[Tommy]

Announced today that BR:2099 to be filmed in Belfast

I imagine the Budapest studios where they filmed 2049 are probably none too pleased. Unlike say, Game of Thrones, they can hardly be going to Northern Ireland for the scenery. Ironic that with the UK's economy going downhill comes increasing foreign investment in UK shoots.

Granted, the last I read, Budapest's film industry is booming, plus they gained a lot of productions this year that would've otherwise filmed in Ukraine or Russia. So perhaps they're just super busy... but something tells me they would find room in the schedule for Amazon.

 

[Jaitea]

I imagine the Budapest studios where they filmed 2049 are probably none too pleased. Unlike say, Game of Thrones, they can hardly be going to Northern Ireland for the scenery. Ironic that with the UK's economy going downhill comes increasing foreign investment in UK shoots.

They’ve got a huge studio with virtual set video wall technology

If they decide to shoot outdoors, sure it’s always raining here, ha

John

 

[Tommy]

They’ve got a huge studio with virtual set video wall technology

If they decide to shoot outdoors, sure it’s always raining here, ha

Ha - yes; it'll be authentic rain!

Nothing against Belfast's studios, and I hadn't considered the video wall set-up. I just feel bad for the 2049 crew who might've anticipated a return.

 

[NakedMoleRat]

Do androids still dream of electric sheep?

 

[drusselmeyer]

Do androids still dream of electric sheep?

Did they ever?

The fundamental problem is that PKD has gotten completely removed from the equation so that we may never truly see his vision.

The second problem is that the RS story strays away from any attempt at a comprehensible point.

What needs to happen is that a few ideas from the first film need to be cleared up.