Almost every new job or show has a challenge. Sometimes these challenges we can see from the start…sometimes very late they arise.
1. Tell us about your background and journey. How and when did you realize your passion for digital media?
Hello, I am very grateful for this opportunity to chat with you and the community. My name is Aldo Martinez, I am currently the Model and Texturing Supervisor at the Mill New York. I am originally from Cuba, but I have now lived and worked in a few countries including now Mexico, Canada and now the USA.
These experiences allowed me to develop and grow myself as an artist and as a person, from meeting people from all over the world. Yet the journey it’s not been easy for sure.
Back when I was around 10-12 years old, I was very interested in all aspects of making video games but growing up in Cuba, I had no real future in that career as the country was pretty much closed to the outside world. And even owning a computer was outside of my realm of possibilities, so having a career in that area was just a dream.
Yet, my first experience doing 3D was at college in Mexico City when I was studying architecture. Part of the curriculum we had to learn how to use 3DS MAX and AutoCAD in order to learn how to build our building designs in 3D.
Back when I was around 10-12 years old, I was very interested in all aspects of making video games but growing up in Cuba, I had no real future in that career as the country was pretty much closed to the outside world. And even owning a computer was outside of my realm of possibilities, so having a career in that area was just a dream.
Yet, my first experience doing 3D was at college in Mexico City when I was studying architecture. Part of the curriculum we had to learn how to use 3DS MAX and AutoCAD in order to learn how to build our building designs in 3D.
I remember being very excited to learn it, remembering that dream and buying books to learn how to do more than just build buildings, but animations and putting music and cuts like a music video, not so much like architectural presentations but a bit more.
I remember having lots of fun and it was that time I thought, “Hey maybe I should keep doing this”
After finishing my college architecture degree, I wanted to get more into the 3D and concept art world. So, I spent a few years doing a bit of concept art, learning on my own. Later freelancing with small jobs here and there in Mexico City.
After finishing my college architecture degree, I wanted to get more into the 3D and concept art world. So, I spent a few years doing a bit of concept art, learning on my own. Later freelancing with small jobs here and there in Mexico City.
From which, some of my Star Wars commission got the eye of the community and became popular at the time, which was a great feeling knowing my work has been exposed to people outside my circle of friends.
So, my goal at the time was getting a full-time job as a concept artist for a film or video games, I remember painting with photoshop for 8 to 14 hours a day, just constantly, as I was trying to get better at it.
It was later where I joined Vancouver Film School, program in 3d modelling and animation where I got the chance to learn and put in practice lots of new tools, Maya, Zbrush, animation, lookdev and other things, and getting the chance to meet lots talented individuals, some who are now industry veterans.
So right after Vancouver Film School, I had the great opportunity to get a job as a Modeler at MPC Vancouver for the Feature film Sherlock Holmes a Game of Shadows, so my career in VFX began, that was almost 10 years ago.
So, my goal at the time was getting a full-time job as a concept artist for a film or video games, I remember painting with photoshop for 8 to 14 hours a day, just constantly, as I was trying to get better at it.
It was later where I joined Vancouver Film School, program in 3d modelling and animation where I got the chance to learn and put in practice lots of new tools, Maya, Zbrush, animation, lookdev and other things, and getting the chance to meet lots talented individuals, some who are now industry veterans.
So right after Vancouver Film School, I had the great opportunity to get a job as a Modeler at MPC Vancouver for the Feature film Sherlock Holmes a Game of Shadows, so my career in VFX began, that was almost 10 years ago.
It has been a great experience having the opportunity to work in several great studios, films, tv shows and spots over the years.
2. What would you say will be the future (or) next milestone of digital creation editing and design?
To me, it seems clear the future lies with AI having a bigger role in digital characters and in VFX. Which I think will make things easier. Currently, Digital double at a hyper-realistic level, is quite expensive and time-consuming, requiring the best of the best to work on it.
2. What would you say will be the future (or) next milestone of digital creation editing and design?
To me, it seems clear the future lies with AI having a bigger role in digital characters and in VFX. Which I think will make things easier. Currently, Digital double at a hyper-realistic level, is quite expensive and time-consuming, requiring the best of the best to work on it.
It’s a very delicate process and yet the audience can always tell it’s been computer-generated. AI seems like the way to go to completely help us cross the uncanny valley with digital character creation.
In addition, I am truly fascinated by the results from real-time virtual sets, like the ones being used in Mandalorian. I wonder if it's just the beginning and we would soon see further developments with virtual sets.
3. What are the basic software that one must be aware of in your field?
Across the film industry, Autodesk Maya has been the primary software. So if you are starting out I would recommend getting to learn Maya first.
Yet depending also in the area you choose to specialize in, you might need to learn other softwares which are the base in those particular areas, like, Zbrush for sculpting, substance painter or Mari for texturing; and Nuke for comp. plus others
4. Share one of your favourite experiences as a digital creator with us.
Over the past few years, I have really enjoyed working on my personal projects. These projects to me are a very freeing experience.
In addition, I am truly fascinated by the results from real-time virtual sets, like the ones being used in Mandalorian. I wonder if it's just the beginning and we would soon see further developments with virtual sets.
3. What are the basic software that one must be aware of in your field?
Across the film industry, Autodesk Maya has been the primary software. So if you are starting out I would recommend getting to learn Maya first.
Yet depending also in the area you choose to specialize in, you might need to learn other softwares which are the base in those particular areas, like, Zbrush for sculpting, substance painter or Mari for texturing; and Nuke for comp. plus others
4. Share one of your favourite experiences as a digital creator with us.
Over the past few years, I have really enjoyed working on my personal projects. These projects to me are a very freeing experience.
While working in production is great, at the end of the day we are working on a property which is not ours but with a personal project, well I can just do anything I want, or any subject or genre…put as much or little time as I want to, experiment etc.
I always end up pushing myself a lot in these projects as I experiment with new tools or techniques, which in the production sometimes we don’t have that time for as our goal is to be efficient with our time.
5. What has been the biggest learning from your job?
From my experience in production, almost every new job or show has a challenge. Sometimes these challenges we can see from the start…sometimes very late they arise.
5. What has been the biggest learning from your job?
From my experience in production, almost every new job or show has a challenge. Sometimes these challenges we can see from the start…sometimes very late they arise.
My biggest learning experience has been organized from the beginning, it helps build a strong foundation…this is my ideal, but sometimes in a job we need to hit the ground running from the start which makes it challenging when problems arise.
6. Describe your favourite visual effect from a movie or any of your projects. Why do you like it?
Definitely, the VFX work we did for Game of Thrones Season 4…not only because our work was well received by the fans, clients and critics but because it was fun to work on it. Our team at ScanlineVFx was amazing, super talented.
6. Describe your favourite visual effect from a movie or any of your projects. Why do you like it?
Definitely, the VFX work we did for Game of Thrones Season 4…not only because our work was well received by the fans, clients and critics but because it was fun to work on it. Our team at ScanlineVFx was amazing, super talented.
I remember the experience very fondly. Also, because I got to work with a few great friends and my brother among them which was great.
7. Which is your favourite book and why?
Can't Hurt Me, by David Goggins. It's one of my favourite books I have recently read. It's quite an inspirational story as David narrates his life and obstacles and how he overcomes them against difficult odds. It's one of those books you finish and you feel energized to make great positive changes in your life.
- Aldo Martinez (Visual Effects Artist)
Aldo Martinez is a 10 year plus, Visual Effects artist in the motion pictures and film industry. A Passionate nerd for films, videogames, design and art in general.
Website: http://www.aldomartinezvfx.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aldomartinezcalz/
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/aldomartinezc
IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4688114/
Artstation: https://www.artstation.com/aldomartinez
Interviewed By Akshaya Rathinavadivel
7. Which is your favourite book and why?
Can't Hurt Me, by David Goggins. It's one of my favourite books I have recently read. It's quite an inspirational story as David narrates his life and obstacles and how he overcomes them against difficult odds. It's one of those books you finish and you feel energized to make great positive changes in your life.
- Aldo Martinez (Visual Effects Artist)
Website: http://www.aldomartinezvfx.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aldomartinezcalz/
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/aldomartinezc
IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4688114/
Artstation: https://www.artstation.com/aldomartinez
Interviewed By Akshaya Rathinavadivel
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