(c) Novira Sabir

Lights, Camera & Render!

Interview with Amaan Akram
By Nabeel Aejaz

Amaan Akram is a 29 year old Pakistani 3D Artist working in Digi-Guys, a UK based studio. Working in a hybrid of games and cinematic artists, Amaan leads the team that builds environments and work with compositing and shot finalization. Amaan also runs an online Pakistani CG (Computer Graphics) site/community known as cgexpanse.com

Tell us about your background and how you became involved in 3D Art?

I actually never intended to be an artist. My enthusiasm and interest in computer technology lead me exploring all sorts of computer programs. And that was when I discovered 2D graphics software, which ultimately stuck to my interest.

I was introduced to the world of 3D graphics by Jahanzeb Rasheed, a brotherly figure who is also the owner of Image Dynamics, Lahore. I took A-Levels Art and then joined LUMS to complete my graduation in Computer Science.

After LUMS I worked as a software engineer at WorldCALL.com. From there I moved to Saudi Arabia to work as a design consultant in the web design and multimedia industry for the next 3 years. I was then recruited by Digi-Guys in UK where I work to date. My work involves all aspects of 3D i.e. modeling, texturing, lighting and compositing.

What tools do you use for your trade?

The softwares I use are Lightwave, Photoshop, Digital Fusion, Modo and Softimage XSI. Besides that I use my camera to study compositional 'line; and portraiture.

Some of the projects that you have been involved in?

One of the worth-mentioning projects is Wardevil. The project is not yet complete for release so I am not allowed to dispel much information, but do check http://www.wardevil.com

Besides them I have done works for companies like Luxology, HP, a shot for Charlie & the Chocolate Factory and other odd ones.

What did you do in the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory?

Earlier, Digi-guys were based in Pinewood Studios, where movies like James Bond, Troy and Charlie & the Chocolate Factory are shot. So it's easy to get work from your neighboring companies if you are in Pinewood. The production company for Charlie and the Chocolate factory was just next door. The shot that I worked on was the game sequence that is played on the TV while a kid is playing the computer game. It was not as glamorous as some of the other shots in the film, but none the less it was fun to work on.

Most of your work involves Lighting and Texture, how do you get Inspired?

For inspiration I look up the work of conventional artists like Steve Hanks and Sargent who were into realism and also derive inspiration from artists of renaissance period.

How does your creative process flow, while starting on a new project?

My creative process is very uncertain and quite experimental. I sometimes know exactly what I have to create, but if not then I just come up with something basic, and then start experimenting and eventually settle on a specific look. I love to make 3D human heads and then keep lighting it from different angles to eventually stumble upon with lots of different looks.

Your model and textures have a high level of detail. How much time do you spend in a model until you consider it ready for a final render?

I rarely texture my own work and if I do it's very simple. I spend more time modeling my details rather than texturing as it leads to a better look. As for spending time on a model, it just depends. If I have a precise task then I am very quick but if not then I can spend weeks working on the same artwork to get them right.

How do you see the CG market in Pakistan?

It has certainly come a long way, but still has a many milestones to conquer. There's an abundance of people who know how to use the software, but there are a very few people with good art direction skills. I suppose that's the fault of our society as a whole since we do not promote art very much. Many subjects in art Pakistan are 'taboo' which is just absolutely ridiculous. So until we get people who understand color, composition, story writing, human psychology, human perception, etc into the field of CG, our industry will continue to produce and deliver below average work. Although it’s a very small step in the whole creative process but many people do not realize the importance of it.

With little resources and institutions in our country, what would you suggest to a newcomer who in this field?

There are two kinds of people in Pakistan who are willing to enter CG. The first kind are the ones who enter with an art background. For them, it's easier to use CG as a medium of expression as it is simply a matter of picking up different kinds of software tools. The second kind are the ones who have no art experience as such and are just enthusiasts. It would be really hard to learn traditional art principles alongside getting equipped with technical 3D. My only advice to these people is to get into CG while they are still young.

How do you see the CG industry as a whole evolving over the next 5 years?

CG is definitely on the way up. I see CG here in UK on the rise, which is a great thing. There are signs of growth already in Pakistan though. Internationally, I think the signs are pretty obvious as more independent CG movies are coming up, and the distribution channels are becoming more open to movies produced in lesser known studios rather than big established names like Pixar, Disney etc. So definitely the scene has never looked better and there is no looking back.

Tell us something about your online Pakistani CG community called CGExpanse?

CGExpanse (www.cgexpanse.com) was born out of my very personal and selfish need to connect with people in Pakistan working in the world of CG. When I arrived in UK, I felt very isolated with what was going on in this field back in Pakistan. I looked around for forums and eventually found one on deviant art. I had joined the forums at deviant art but then I was asked to make an artwork specifically for that forum to complete my membership. I found that a bit frustrating as I was used to roaming around in forums such as CGTalk, CGChat and others with free registrations.

So then it occurred to me that why not just set one of my own. Having a computer science background helped, and within 2 days the forum (which is based on open-source programs) was up and running. I am grateful to everyone who joined because setting up a forum does not make it a success; rather, it's the members that help make a community.

What is your aim and mission with CGExpanse it seems it has grown into a full 3D portal now?

The aim for CGExpanse is to one day become a fully-independent news portal for the CG and related industries in Pakistan. Currently it covers quite a bit of international news, but I hope that one day it will be more of a portal for local CG news/features. I am looking for people in Pakistan who can help me out locally. I, being abroad is definitely not helping the cause.

What tips can you give to our readers to improve their renderings?

Study real life reference like crazy. There is no trick, technique or substitute that can make you a better rendering artist, it all depends on your ability to imitate and learn from real life references.

Finally, what is in the future for you?

I have absolutely no idea. I'd love to work on more feature-film projects but the industry here is short-term contract-based. It is not a very encouraging place for a man who has to support a family. I'd love to work in Pakistan as well, but have absolutely no idea how I can do that since I don't have the resources (financial and manpower) to setup the equivalent of the studio where I am currently working now. I do hope to return to Pakistan one day because the west is really not a place for me. I hope that happens soon.

Links:

Digi-guys
CgExpanse
Amaanakram
Warped Space