We connected with teams across our studios to reveal all you need to know about their role, experience, goals, and dream projects. Today we’re shining the light on Tom Minor, Software Developer in London who shares how he features in the crowd (CG) of The Wheel Of Time.
In a short sentence, what does a Software Developer do?
We refine artist workflows into polished tools that can be relied upon long term – our goal is always to save artist time so they can focus their energy on doing the cool visual stuff.
What piece of advice would you give to your younger self?
Proper planning beats last minute stressing 🙂
What’s that one thing that you can’t live without
Coffee!
You career highlight to date?
Working on Dune (and even getting a credit!) was pretty awesome.
What’s your favorite project from Technicolor Group and why?
Prehistoric Planet turned out to be one of my favorites, I didn’t realize how fantastic it would be until I saw the finished product, but in retrospect, I’m very glad to have contributed to it.
How did you get into the industry?
I graduated in 2016 from Bournemouth’s SDAGE (Software Development for Animation, Games & Effects), back when that course still existed ? It had a GPU focus in some of the modules, which helped me get started at Foundry on the HPC team. Eventually I moved into DNEG’s Houdini Crowd R&D team to get closer to the movie side of things and ultimately ended up in MPC R&D.
What would your DREAM project involve?
Anything Nolan related (I’m still an Interstellar fanboy)
What’s the best thing about the Technicolor Groups’ culture?
The people are great!
Your biggest achievement so far
Managing to submit an entry for every day of the month for MARDINI 2022 – a Houdini art challenge I entered to sharpen up my technical art skills (I did not get much sleep that month).
In 3 words, describe Technicolor Group
In It Together
Share something you learned this week
Pumpkins don’t last as long as expected after you carve them.
What’s the best thing about your job?
I’ve learned a lot in a short amount of time.
If you weren’t in this role what would you be doing?
Probably something in videogame land, I can’t imagine doing something non-graphics related – it’s too fun.
What can’t you put down? (book, game, program, app, podcast)
Honestly I’ve been playing way too much Project Zomboid this year, turns out the sims with a zombie twist is addicting.
Any recent personal goals?
Be more of a tourist, sometimes I forget how much there is to experience in London.
Tell us a humble brag
I’m apparently part of a (CG) background crowd in The Wheel Of Time – I was photographed for it but aren’t 100% sure if I made it in
What would your one superpower be?
Superspeed, London has turned me into someone who’s always rushing everywhere.
When you’re not working on a project, you can be found…
Bouldering (more likely just chilling)
Where can people connect with you?
You can find me on LinkedIn here.
