Daniel Pieri, a graduate of Billy Blue College of Design is currently working at Blue Bandicoot animation studio. Daniel shares firsthand experiences as an assistant to the Director of Photography, providing valuable insights into the production process.
Daniel Pieri is a recent graduate of Billy Blue College of Design at Torrens University Australia. Daniel's passion lies in game design and development, with a particular passion for character design.
Currently, Daniel is working for Blue Bandicoot, an animation studio, where she actively contributes to the production process. In this article Daniel gives us an inside look at what it's like to work in production as an assistant to the Director of Photography.
In my role as an assistant to the director of photography, I had the privilege of working closely with the studio owner, who entrusted me with various tasks to support the ongoing projects. From creating assets to organising the workflow, my responsibilities spanned a range of project-related activities.
During my time at Blue Bandicoot, I had the opportunity to contribute to an animated series comprising multiple episodes and also worked on the production of several professional corporate videos.
I wanted to work in this industry because at school I started drawing with my friend and really enjoyed the creative process of designing characters and coming up with new worlds. I always loved the design process of video games, looking at concept art and 3D model breakdowns, wishing I could make it.
My passion for the industry started during my school years when a friend and I discovered drawing and designing characters together. This sparked my interest in video game design. I always looked at concept art and 3D model breakdowns, wanting to create my own immersive gaming experiences.
I was working at my previous job when I got a call from the owner of Blue Bandicoot. I knew the owner from working on a University assignment with him filming a dancer. He called because I messaged him asking him about opportunities at the company and he called to tell me what they were doing and then offered me a job!
On a typical day, I would meet with my boss to determine the priorities and tasks at hand. This could involve preparing backgrounds, serving as an Assembly Editor, or sometimes conducting research for special projects. Collaborating closely with the heads of various departments, I gained invaluable experience and witnessed the power of effective teamwork in achieving collective goals.
The main programs I used were Premiere Pro for editing the footage, Excel for organising scenes, and Photoshop when preparing backgrounds for each scene within the animation.
In my position I got to touch every part of the department in some way and worked closely with all the heads of the projects.
Collaborating closely with the heads of various departments, I gained invaluable experience and learned the power of effective teamwork in achieving collective goals.
My education at Billy Blue College of Design equipped me with essential skills, particularly in 3D modeling, which I applied to several projects at Blue Bandicoot. The college also instilled in me a passion for continuous learning and the ability to adapt to new technologies and artistic techniques.
While formal education may not be an absolute requirement for this industry, I found it to be immensely beneficial. The connections, friendships, and mentorships I gained through my educational journey were invaluable, providing me with a strong foundation and opening doors that I may have otherwise overlooked.
Just how difficult it can be to break into the industry.
I get a lot of inspiration from my favourite games and artists. Looking at their art motivates me to give my best, both in my professional work and personal projects.
Creating projects for your portfolio that align with your interests and showcase your progression and learning outcomes, you can demonstrate your ability to learn, adapt, and evolve as an artist.
Each project, no matter how it may initially appear, presents an opportunity for growth. With every undertaking, keep the desired outcome in mind and identify what you want to learn or reinforce. Embrace the process and never stop pushing yourself.
You can reach out to Daniel via LinkedIn.