5 Minutes With... Lead Generalist Nick White

Can you walk us through your journey into VFX?

In the 90s, I was playing this video game called Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee and it was the first video game I saw where I thought the visuals were amazing. I remember thinking, I want to work on things like this. At the time I was working at Hobbycraft and had been for 7 years, but I decided to sign up for the Animation Production degree at the Arts University Bournemouth and loved it.

From there, I worked at Aardman for a couple years working on ‘The Pirates!’, then I spent time working in video games before getting into pre-vis. Whilst in pre-vis, I worked on ‘Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them’ which was a great experience being able to go on set for. One day when working on Aladdin, I got a call from Gez [Hixson, COO] about coming to work for Outpost and the rest is history!

What made you decide to focus on 3D?

When I was doing my degree, I was training to be a 2D Animator, so it was all hand drawn animation which I did enjoy doing but I always wanted to do the CG side of things. In the second year when they started teaching us CG, I knew that was what I wanted to explore, and so for my third year I created my own 3D Animation Film. From there, I knew that 3D was the route I wanted to focus on.

Do you have any advice for an artist looking to work in CG?

Make sure you have a great looking showreel. Don’t just fill it with loads of work that may not be completely fleshed out, make sure what you feature is focused, finished and the best of your work.

What’s been your favourite project to work on?

After being at Aardman, I got to work on the cinematics for Halo 4. I’m a massive Halo fan, so being able to create sci-fi interiors for the game is definitely my favourite project to have worked on. It was difficult work but I enjoyed it and when 3D World featured some of my work from the game, it was a great feeling.

What brings you the most satisfaction in your role?

Having creative freedom and outputting something that looks cool.

What does the day-to-day of a Lead Generalist involve?

Once I’m in the studio, I’ll have a coffee and check messages. Then usually I’ll load up Houdini to work on whatever project I’ve got that day, it could be modelling, lighting or layout etc. I enjoy the variety.

Outside of the studio, how do you stay creative?

I usually have my own projects when I go home, but they never really gain any traction because I have two kids, so I don’t always get the time to finish them. Often before I manage to finish one, I usually have another idea that I want to start!

I’ve also been trying to use my sketchbook more to concept ideas out but often my kids take over what I’m drawing with requests for mermaids and unicorns.

What was the last thing you watched that left an impression on you?

The survival horror video game, Scorn.

Finally, some quickfire questions:

What’s the one thing you always keep on your desk?

Coffee

You can eat one thing for the rest of your life – what is it?

Cheese

What would be your superpower?

To remove all sticks in my surrounding area. My dog is stick obsessed and any time we take her out she constantly picks up sticks and wants you to throw them. She is obsessed.

You’ve got a couple of hours to kill – what do you watch?

Love, Death + Robots

What are you currently learning?

Houdini

Any pets?

My dog, Conker

Favourite way to relax?

Playing video games

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?

Playa de Poo, a Spanish beach my family and I accidentally found when we went on holiday.

What irritates you?

People being fake

Guilty pleasures?

Cream on my cereal

Favourite song?

Peephole – System of a Down

Last present you bought yourself?

Dead Space Remake