NewTek LightWave

Television

Name: Paramount
Studio: Paramount
Website:

Broadcasters and graphics artists live under constant stress of deadlines. As soon as one passes, another is looming large. That is certainly the case in daily television production. NewTek recently spoke to Adam Hayes, the lead animator for the graphics department of ET Insider, a division of Paramount/CBS, about his workflow when having to create numerous high-quality animations each day on short notice.

Paramount

Broadcasters and graphics artists live under constant stress of deadlines. As soon as one passes, another is looming large. That is certainly the case in daily television production. NewTek recently spoke to Adam Hayes, the lead animator for the graphics department of ET Insider, a division of Paramount/CBS, about his workflow when having to create numerous high-quality animations each day on short notice.

Adam, what are your responsibilities for Paramount?

I was hired over at Paramount in 2004 as the lead animator of Entertainment Tonight and at that time the “not yet launched” new show, The nsider. When I think about it there are really two different answers to your question; the short and the long. Short answer, I create, design, model, light, animate and stress over same day, hourly turnaround graphics for two national television shows. Long answer, well…I guess it is the same as the short answer with the inclusion of all of our sister shows such as ET on MTV, live update shows for awards shows, a constant flow of primetime specials and of course new graphics for the hopefully never-ending growth of ET expanding into new markets. The important thing is that I work with a team of fantastic artists, directors, producers and friends that make my graphics the best that they can be.

What brought you to NewTek products?
After changing careers three times in college – not to mention as many colleges – I found myself enrolled at Columbia College in Chicago in its newly developed Interactive Multimedia Program. I was just looking to be a graphic artist, but the great thing about this program was that they teach you a little bit of everything. By this I mean I had to learn screen writing, sound, photography and of course, 3-D. And what of course was the required first two semesters of 3-D? LightWave 3D. It was such a hard class to get into I actually had to buy my own copy (student rate of course), and audit the second semester all the while having my instructors tell the class not to even try going to Hollywood since they only hire the best there. The only thing worse then not trying to do something is listening to people telling you not to even try to do something. So, two years later I moved to Hollywood.

What projects involve NewTek VT[4], how is it incorporated in the facility and what has VT[4] done for you?
I work on VT[4] everyday. We currently have 3 VT[4] workstations and we are in the process of building another one. We have it connected to a switcher so we are connected to all of the decks, computer systems, and servers in our facility.

How has VT[4] boosted productivity?
On the most basic level, we use VT[4] for our video input and output deck. For the daily show, I’m required to use specific video which must be uploaded into my system for manipulation. I don’t know of anything that does that with such simplicity. On the nights of award shows, VT[4] is invaluable, because at three in the morning, when producers are calling for graphics we can simply drop them into VT[4] and send them to any edit bay that needs them, or just send them to a tape for multiple distribution. Now, of course, those are just the most basic uses of VT[4]; we take it a bit further. Since we are under 4-hour deadlines we need our backup graphics. I like to build LightWave scenes where, if needed, I only have to replace the footage. I start up VT[4], import the footage, manipulate it, drop it into the VT[4]/LightWave project and watch the VT[4] update the scene with the new footage, reflections and all. I then just save out the project and just do a simple “reload footage” in an After Effects composite. This gives me the chance to change a lead graphic for a breaking news story with a high-end production level graphic in time to meet the satellite feed. Customizable, same day, minute-turnaround graphics. That’s why we have so many VT[4]’s.

Is VT[4] easy enough to quickly train others?
I can’t really say that I have had any trouble teaching people how to use VT[4]. Actually, I have to say that about all NewTek products I have used. You seem to know how to make simple, efficient software and hardware products…Thanks.

Producing daily on VT[4], what do you enjoy most?

That is a tough question to answer. I truly have two favorite parts: the first would be how it incorporates LightWave seamlessly along with how After Effects is able to use and natively manipulate VT[4] uncompressed video files. Secondly, isof course VT[4]’s real time video capability. Whether I am importing one clip, or sending out 30 with a dozen effects, VT[4] never skips a frame.

What do you like most about LightWave?
I have been asked this question a bunch of times over the past couple of years and no matter how many times I think about it I always have the same answer: speed. Speed in modeling, speed in animating, speed in lighting, and of course, speed in rendering. My only complaint is just how good and flexible it is. My boss knows he can keep tweaking until the last second, relying on LightWave’s rendering speed. Well, that and knowing that LightWave allows me to “bend the rules” in the lighting and surfacing world. Again, thanks.

How much of your work to date has been created with the aid of LightWave?
Nearly all of my work starts in LightWave and ends in After Effects. Then again, I was hired as a LightWave artist. Also, I build many of the elements for other artists in LightWave for completion of their graphics. I can not say this enough, though, it is all a team effort. We are all winners, or we aren’t.

Any parting thoughts about NewTek?
Since I have been introduced to NewTek, I have to say that I have always been treated professionally. Whether I was a student, or a lead artist at Paramount, I have always had my questions answered quickly and my technical problems addressed. You have one of the best customer service and sales teams that I have had the pleasure of working with.

Paramount