Lighting for Animation

P. Jasmine Katatikarn is a Senior Lighting Technical Director at Blue Sky Studios. She holds a B.A. in economics/art history from Vassar College and received her Master of Science in Digital Imaging and Design degree from NYU. After graduate school, she began working in the field of 3D medical visualization and moved onto vfx/commercial work, working at The Mill, Framestore, and Rhinofx for seven years before moving into feature animated film work at Blue Sky Studios. Her lighting credits include Peanuts, Rio 2, Epic, Ice Age: Continental Drift, Rio, Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs, Ghost Town, and The Nanny Diaries. Michael Tanzillo is a Senior Lighting Technical Director at Blue Sky Studios. He began his career as a photographer and studio artist after completing his BFA degree in Photography from Ohio State. Michael switched his career focus and freelanced as a 3D artist before attending the Savannah College of Art and Design and receiving his MFA in Visual Effects. In 2008, Michael joined the lighting team at Blue Sky Studios and his lighting credits include Peanuts, Rio 2, Epic, Ice Age: Continental Drift, Rio, Scrat’s Continental Crack-up, and Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs. Michael has also been credited as a compositing artist on multiple projects. In 2012, Jasmine and Michael co-founded the online school tdu (www.td-u.com). Together they teach lighting courses and develop web-based curriculum in multiple disciplines to train students on the artistic side of animation and visual effects.

Acknowledgments Introduction Chapter 1: Why We Light The Role of LightingCreating Visual ShapingDirecting the Viewer’s EyeInterview with Chris Wedge – Director :: Blue Sky Studios Chapter 2: Observing the World Around UsGathering ReferenceProcessing Reference Utilizing ReferenceInterview with Sharon Callahan - Lighting Director of Photography :: Pixar Animation StudiosChapter 3: The Lighter’s ToolboxCommon CG LightsBasic Properties of LightShadowsInterview with Andrew Beddini – Technical Supervisor of Imaging :: Blue Sky StudiosChapter 4: The Lighter’s WorkflowPre-LightingUnderstanding the Roles of Each LightLet There Be Light!Render LayersRender WorkflowInterview with Mike Knapp – Art Director :: Blue Sky StudiosChapter 5: Dissecting a Well-Lit ShotTelling the Story By Emphasizing the MoodDirecting the Viewer’s EyeVisual ShapingInterview with Josh Staub – Visual Effects Supervisor & Lighting Supervisor :: Walt Disney Animation StudiosChapter 6: Lighting ScenariosCharacter Lighting EyesInterior LightingExterior LightingInterview with Haji Uesato :: Blue Sky StudiosChapter 7: Materials and CompositingMaterialsSimulating Specific MaterialsCompositing Layering The Final TouchesInterview with Brian Hill – Materials Supervisor :: Blue Sky StudiosChapter 8: Honing the Artistic EyeImage BreakdownsInterview with Gabriel Portnoff – CG Supervisor :: Dreamworks AnimationChapter 9: Lighting WalkthroughsLighting Scenario One :: Character Beauty LightingLighting Scenario Two :: Character and EnvironmentLighting Scenario Three :: Multiple CharactersInterview with Yann Mabille – Creative Director/Partner :: InterstateChapter 10: Master LightingLook Development and Master LightingCreating a Clean RigInterview with Eldar Cholich– Lighting Lead :: Blue Sky StudiosInterview with Kurt Kaminski – Lighter :: Walt Disney Animation StudiosChapter 11: Closing StatementsGetting Started as a Lighting ArtistThriving in the IndustryInterview with Deb Stone – Manager, Talent Development :: Blue Sky Studios