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What isn’t a compositor might be a better question to ask but let’s keep this article on point. In short a compositor is responsible for fusing together elements such as live action footage, 3d animation, stock footage and other sources into a single picture. Sometimes the goal is photo-realism for a motion picture and other times the goal is to exaggerate the world for a TV spot.
A good comparison might be the job of a weldor. Wikipedia has a curious description that I found particularly useful:
“Welders typically have to have good dexterity and attention to detail, as well as some technical knowledge about the materials being joined and best practices in the field.”
In order to complete some shots, a compositor might take on other responsibilities such as modeling and rendering a 3D object or element. Similarly, a weldor might need to fabricate a special tool or object needed for a custom vehicle manipulation.
When a weldor is combining various parts of a bicycle frame, it is important that the parts are fused together properly or the bicycle might just fall apart. Much like a visual effects shot that is not sound, you may see it fall apart on screen.
Knowing the tools and understanding the related jobs of this industry might just answer questions you didn’t know you had. Never stop learning and developing new techniques.
Wikipedia also has a note regarding weldors:
“Welders are also often exposed to dangerous gases and particulate matter.”
But I won’t get into that.
interesting thought
Cool, nice thoughts.
interesting indeed, im liking all the posting recently andrew keep it up!
But at least a compositor doesn’t get that crud under their finger nails!
Is this a prelude to QuickMatte???
Ahah, they are one and the same! Nice one AK!
That’s interesting and different. 
Another nice one AK.Good
Would not be “Particular Matter” not “Particulate Matter” 
Been loving the Blog lately, nice post =) I’ll now refer to myself as a Digital Welder…
Something tells me Andrew really wants more compositing jobs Everything seems to be leaning in that direction.
Why not take a break from mograph and get into some hard-core vfx work?
–
Kevin
Good read, thanks. And Joe Rule, it IS “Particulate matter” and not your incorrect correction.
Martin.. I believe Joe Rule was referring to Trapcode’s Particular xD
I have GOT to get me one of those.
What kind of gas does that wire welder use?
I’ve never seen one run a cold bead before.
That’s awesome!
And virtually no slag.
Andrew,
I know alot of people on here are against it, but I would love to see more 3D Studio tutorials on here. Your teaching style is amazing, and really has helped me to wrap my head around the complex subject of 3D animation. Please consider pushing more into this avenue, as there is so much to explore.
-Steve
Andrew, you should make a tutorial about how to direct a movie, you are a very good director, I think 
This should some it up of what a compositor is. Nice Post!
Hmmm nice one Andrew. but I understand only Particular not particulate..
This must be a hint about QuickMatte?
Being a vfx artist, my workspace is very hazardous indeed. Many dangerous gases. haha
very interesting.
keep up the awesome work 
Really nice spoken!
i have never seen it this way! But it is a revolving thought!
yes, very interesting post! I like to see you explaining something to us!
Couldn’t have put it any better. Well said Andrew
Im a welder the process on the pictures is called MIG/Mag welding. Metal Inert Gas / Metal Active Gas.
I hate it!!! You got a helmet on your head for 8 hours a day. And you have to have a special hat on It’s to hot!!!
That’s why Im working on video’s. haha
Thanks Andrew!
This confirm my uncertain thoughts
This is my composite. Hope you like it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5U9QwYukfQ
I thought it was a piece or software like Toxik or Combustion
Some people on this site I”ve seen post things like “THIS SITE SHOULD ONLY BE ABOUT AFTER EFFECTS, YOU GET THAT ANDREW?!” and I don’t think you should listen to those folks AK.
Whether it be tutorials in Maya ( ) or boujou/pfhoe or tips on directing/shooting your films, I think it all has a place here. It’s info that will broaden our knowledge base and help us do more and be more versatile. If people don’t want to learn about 3dmax or maya or boujou then they have the option not to watch that tutorial, but for others who do want that knowledge that you think will be beneficial please put up any of those tips/lessons.
Thanks andrew k!
hey pvsciteach we get what some might call back pain and sleepless nights
AK, great analogy! Wow, I got a lot to learn!!
Nice post Andrew
Great analogy!
I worked with a few heavy industrial welders in my previous career. They whine a lot, yell at their helpers a lot, come up with many new and unusual ways to curse, and consume massive amounts of stimulants.
hmm.
Point taken.
@dean you are so right! that’s why I switch to editor
i really like the welding comparison….which is, ironically, what i am majoring in. compositing and motion graphics is a hobbie of mine…..:)
oh and i think if im not mistaken, it welder, i’ve never seen anyone personally spell it weldor. eh same difference
Andrew,
What do you call a person such as myself who runs a small production company that does the writing, storyboarding, shooting, editing, compositing, authoring, and the best part…collecting the check?
@ Mohammed
I couldn’t agree more…This site is called VIDEOcopilot, not AEcopilot. Great point!
Actually, what you didn’t know that the compositor’s job is the hardest job of all. Because he has to actually trick the audience to think that several 3d renders, footage and stock photos are actually filmed in the same environment. Yeah, it’s a really tough job, but what I like to do is, when I actually make the color for one movie I make a preset and use it for the whole movie. It’s really useful and really cools down painstaking hours of color correcting every composition separately.
Regards, Alek.
Correct spelling AK is welder,
a weldor is a type of orc from Mordor that repairs armour…
Richard cave: both are correct.
very nice and thank u my dear Ghost Guru(ghost master)Mr.Andrew Kramer
I am a certified welder who happen to be into graphic arts. that was an exellent anology.
A welder and a compositor, nice comparison
WOW…hang on there cowboy sign gave me a shock…but…anywayz…i think wiki maybe right…most of us are exposed to dangerous gases…..more intentionally than not….
video copilot started at a time when we worshiped the “cow”(plz 4give the pun)…back in those days when ppl wud say “whats that!?” if u told u were a compositor.I started following videocopilot since demonmorph…since then i found a total new meaning to comp and fx…and…well…i also found Sam being subject to evil genius AK’s experiments time and again…among other things.
Bottom line…
1: andrew my man…ur site rocks…alwayz believe in ur ideas!!! those are our next tutorials!!!
2: Compositors are welders…in the pipeline that is!!!
3: maybe the machinery in the pic behind the sparks is a bit too dark…err..nevermind…!!!!
I find it interesting to study the background or as a profession and made Augo so I could give more depth and realism, in which case the wirkpedia and a wonder
I that why I love composite-ing and am pretty good at it, because I’m also a welder?
I’m preparing an exam for uni about compositing. Too bad our professors never taught us anything about how to actually do it. “In star wars they did like this, in the lord of the rings like that”. Those were our lessons.
Kramer was my real teacher in the end.
hey Andrew, I have an idea for you! you can make a tutorial about how to make a black hole!
@Giulio
exactly the same with everyone in my compositing class (which i’m sitting in right now). the fact that i’m browsing videocopilot instead of listening to my lecturer proves it
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Nice post, AK! I like the welder analogy.