In this article, we will tell you how Vadim Golovkov and Anton Gritsay, VFX specialists at Plarium studio, created an internship for their direction. The search for candidates, the preparation of the curriculum, the organization of classes - all this was implemented by the guys together with the HR department.
Reasons for creating
In the Krasnodar office of Plarium, there were several vacancies in the VFX department that had not been filled for two years. Moreover, the company could not find not only middles and seniors, but also juniors. The workload on the department grew, something had to be done.
Things were like this: all Krasnodar VFX specialists were already employees of Plarium. In other cities, the situation was not much better. Suitable shots worked mainly in the cinema, and this direction of VFX is somewhat different from the game. In addition, calling a candidate from another city is a risk. A person may simply not like a new place of residence, and he will leave back.
The HR department offered to grow specialists on their own. The art department had no such experience yet, but the advantages were obvious. The company could get young employees living in Krasnodar and train them to its own standards. The course was planned to be held offline in order to look for local guys and interact with the trainees personally.
The idea turned out to be a good one for everyone. Implementation, with the support of the HR department, was undertaken by Vadim Golovkov and Anton Gritsai from the VFX department.
Search for candidates
We decided to search in local universities. VFX is located at the intersection of technical and artistic specialties, so the company was primarily interested in candidates who study in technical areas and have artistic skills.
The work was carried out with three universities: the Kuban State University, the Kuban State Technological University and the Kuban State Agrarian University. HR specialists agreed with the management to hold presentations, where, together with Anton or Vadim, they told everyone about the profession and offered to send applications for an internship. Applications were asked to attach any work that might fit as a portfolio, as well as a short resume and cover letter. Teachers and deans helped spread the word: they talked about VFX courses to promising students. After several presentations, applications gradually began to arrive.
Selection
In total, the company received 61 applications. Particular attention was paid to cover letters: it was important to understand what exactly the direction interested the person in and how much he was motivated to study. Most of the guys have not heard about VFX, but after the presentations, many began to actively collect information. In letters, they talked about their goals in the field, sometimes even using professional terms.
As a result of the initial selection, 37 interviews were scheduled. Each of them was attended by Vadim or Anton and a specialist from HR. Unfortunately, not all candidates knew what VFX was. Some said it had to do with the music or the creation of 3D models. Although there were those who responded with quotations from articles by future mentors, which certainly impressed them. Based on the results of the interviews, a group of interns of 8 people was formed.
Syllabus
Vadim already had a ready-made curriculum for an online course, designed for one lesson per week for three months. They took it as a basis, but the training time was reduced to two months. The number of classes, on the contrary, was increased by planning two per week. In addition, I wanted to do more practical exercises under the guidance of mentors. Practicing in the presence of a teacher would allow the guys to receive feedback right in the process of work. This could save time and immediately direct them in the right direction.
Each session was expected to take 3-4 hours. Everyone understood that the course would be a serious burden for both teachers and trainees. Anton and Vadim had to spend their personal time preparing for classes, as well as take 6 to 8 hours of overtime weekly. The interns, in addition to studying at the university, had to absorb a huge amount of information and come to Plarium twice a week. But the result that we wanted to achieve was very important, so the participants were expected to give their all.
They decided to direct the course program to the study of the basic tools of Unity and the basic principles of creating visual effects. Thus, after graduation, each trainee had the opportunity to further develop their skills, even if Plarium decided not to make him a job offer. When the vacancy opens again, the person could come and try again - with new knowledge.
Organization of training
For classes, a room was allocated on the territory of the studio. Computers and the necessary software were purchased for the interns, and workplaces were also equipped for them. Each intern signed a temporary employment contract for a period of 2 months, and, in addition, the guys signed an NDA. They were to be accompanied to the office premises by mentors or HR staff.
Vadim and Anton immediately drew the attention of the guys to the corporate culture, because business ethics occupies a special place in Plarium. The interns were told that the company would not be able to hire everyone, but an important indicator in assessing their skills would be the ability to help fellow students and maintain friendships within the study group. And the guys never acted hostile to each other. On the contrary, it was evident that they rallied and actively communicated with each other. The friendly atmosphere continued throughout the course.
A significant amount of money and effort has been invested in the training of interns. It was important that among the guys there were not those who would leave in the middle of the course. The efforts of the mentors were not in vain: no one ever missed a lesson, did not delay the delivery of homework. But the training took place at the end of winter, it was easy to catch a cold, many were just having a session.
Results
The last two lessons were devoted to control work. The task is to make a slash effect. The guys had to apply all the received theoretical and practical knowledge and show the result that meets the conditions of the TOR. Create a mesh, set up animation, develop your own shader... The work was voluminous.
However, it was not a passing exam: passed - passed, no - goodbye. Mentors assessed not only the technical potential of the trainees, but also their soft skills. During the training, it became clear who is more suitable for the company, who will be able to come and join the team, therefore, in the last classes, they rather checked the assimilation of the material. And a good result could be an additional plus for the intern or a reason to think about his candidacy.
As a result of the training, the company made a job offer for 3 out of 8 trainees. Of course, when they got into the VFX team and faced with real tasks, the guys realized that they still had a lot to learn. But now they have successfully joined the team and are preparing to become real specialists.
Mentor experience
Vadim Golovkov: In addition to the mentoring skill, the course gave me the opportunity to communicate with those who are taking their first steps in the industry. I remember myself when I came to the studio and saw gamedev from the inside. I was impressed! Then, over time, we all get used to it and begin to treat work as a routine. But when I met these guys, I immediately remembered myself and my burning eyes.
Anton Gritsai: Some things are repeated at work every day and seem obvious. You already have a doubt: is this really important knowledge? But when you prepare a curriculum, you notice that the topic is complex. At such moments, you realize: what is simple for you is a real barrier for these guys. And then you see how grateful they are, and you understand what a useful thing you are doing. It charges you, inspires you.
Feedback from trainees
Vitaly Zuev: Once people from Plarium came to my university and told me what VFX is and who does it. For me, all this was new. Until that moment, I did not think at all about working with 3D, and even more so about the effects separately.
At the presentation, we were told that everyone can send applications for training and that examples of work would be a plus, not a necessity. That same evening, I started looking at videos and articles, trying to find more information about VFX.
I liked everything about the training, there are probably no cons in the course itself. The pace was comfortable, the tasks were feasible. All the necessary information was presented in the classroom. Moreover, we were told exactly how to do our homework, so all that was needed was to come and listen carefully. The only thing was that there was not enough opportunity to review the material at home.
Alexandra Alikumova: When I heard that there would be a meeting with Plarium employees at the university, at first I didn’t even believe it. At that time, I already knew about this company. I knew that the requirements for candidates were quite high and that Plarium had not done internships before. And then the guys came and said that they were ready to take students, teach VFX, and even hire the best. Everything happened right before the New Year, so it seemed completely unrealistic!
I collected and sent my work. Then the bell rang, and now I almost got into game dev, I'm sitting and talking with Anton. Before the interview, I was very worried, but after five minutes I forgot about it. I was amazed by the energy of the guys. It was clear that they were doing what they love.
In the training, the topics were given in such a way as to lay in our heads the basic principles of creating visual effects. If something did not work out for someone, then the teacher or fellow students came to the rescue and together we solved the problem, so that no one was left behind. We studied in the evening and finished quite late. By the end of the class, everyone was usually already tired, but despite this, they did not lose their positive attitude.
Two months went by very quickly. During this time, I learned a lot about VFX, learned the basic skills of creating effects, met cool guys and got a lot of pleasant emotions. So yes, it was worth it.
Nina Zozulya: It all started when people from Plarium came to our university and offered students free education. Before that, I did not do VFX purposefully. I did something according to the guides, but only for my mini-projects. After completing the course, I was hired.
In general, I liked everything. Classes ended, of course, late, and it was not always convenient to leave by tram, but this is a trifle. And they taught very well and clearly.
Source: habr.com