Journalism of Courage
Visual effects artist Saumyadip Chakraborty on the thrill of working in Ra.One
In Kolkata,as a child,he spent endless nights watching animated Hollywood movies. Now,when Saumyadip Chakraborty recalls those days,he confesses that he never imagined that he would be part of the animated movie world one day. That too a movie like Tron: Legacy. I was elated and now getting to work with Shah Rukh Khan in Ra.One is even better, says the 29-year-old VFX (Visual Effects) artist,as he prepared for a workshop organised by Frameboxx Animation and Visual Effect,that took place at Bhavan Vidyalaya School,Sector 27,Chandigarh,on June 26. The whole team is cheering for Ra.One. We are a little nervous but we are ready for the challenge. We work,eat and sleep with the project, says Chakraborty,who has been working with his team on Ra.One,at Mumbais Eyeqube Studios,since January.
While he refuses to share details about the sequences and the 600 shots that his team is working on for the film,Chakraborty does talk about the increasing demand for visual effects artists in the film world and more than 30 per cent increase in India since the last three years. The technology is much better in the West and thats what we are mostly borrowing. It requires a lot of patience,creativity and retakes. But it is a paying job,specially in times like now,when the market is booming, says Chakraborty,who as part of Eyeqube,has delivered over 3,000 shots for movies like Alladin and Drona.
The audience too has a role to play in the increasing demand. We are now more receptive to change and the filmmakers are ready to experiment and spend that extra moolah.
Besides,the growth of 3D theatres is also leading to an increase in the use of visual effects, says Chakraborty,pointing out that a lot of changes are now made though special effects,including costume correction and replacement and extension of sets.
But not everyone is equipped to dabble with animation and VFX. Passion and technical knowledge are a must for the profession. Specialisation in a particular area,like modeling,rigging,animation,lighting and dynamics also helps, he signs off.
