Houdini Jobs - What They Are + Where to Find Them

[@SergeBelkin]

Thanks for wrapping this up, Tyler. As for my own reverse engineering, I barely can found any Junior (or Intern) Houdini positions, and it's all the time not only Houdini in the job description, but it is a whole stack of different tools (like Maya), that needs time and experience to work with. So to switch from any industry, not specifically connected with 3d, to Houdini (motion, film) is not that easy.

[@cgforge]

Hey Serge, It can be overwhelming when you see the job requirements listed out. Houdini, Maya, python, unreal, etc. sounds like a lot, but in reality, you just need to know how to find the answer to something if it's asked of you. In other words, people think that they need to know everything showing up to the job. But - the reality is that you just need to know how to figure it out when you get to the job, especially when you're a junior. The more important thing to do is focus on your demo reel. How can you make that look as awesome as possible? How can you customize it as much as possible to the position that you're looking for? It's more important to focus on the answer to those questions then figuring out everything in maya, then everything in Houdini, then everything in ____, etc... Lastly, I would suggest applying for the non-junior roles if your demo reel looks great. Don't let the years of experience requirement get in the way of applying. At the end of the day, the biggest thing that matters is that the studio needs help with something that you can provide. If you can successfully help them with that task, then why should they let the "5 years of experience" get in the way of solving their problems? Make a great reel, apply anyway, and see what happens. Cheers

[@Mumnkin]

I am binge watching your youtube videos and I saw this one! Thankyou so much for these ideas, it helps me to align or pick my career path since I am still a college student (hobbyist) and looking forward to be a vfx artist someday! Thankyou so much!!

[@cgforge]

Thanks for watching Mumnkin! I'm glad if the videos can help.

[@Henbot]

Cool video, had no idea that 3d Generalist was even a thing. I had people turn me down saying I am too qualified but it was because my whole approach was that if generalist and I been drawn to Houdini in last couple years.

[@bekabaratashvili3178]

Hey Tyler, I love technical work, (python, vex, trying to improve pdg), but as a freelancer, i think artistic knowledge is more important. So you are right, that freelancer must be generalist😀

[@sergeyfilin5204]

Thanks for sharing that great info!

[@phalhappy8612]

I want to learn CFX in Houdini. Can you suggest me a learning path? Should I know SOP and KineFX too....OR can I just learn Houdini Fundamantal and proceed to Vellum? By CFX I mean everything including muscle, clothes and hair. Thank you!

[@cgforge]

Hey @phalhappy8612 , sorry for the late reply - I've been getting a little behind on messages with the new course release lately. For CFX, learning hair, vellum, kinefx, some vex, perhaps some mocap/retargeting stuff, and muscles would be pretty comprehensive. Right now at CG Forge, I can help you with the foundations, vex, vellum, and hair. The other topics are still in the works.

[@quackcharge]

this helped a ton, thanks!

[@cgforge]

You're welcome! Glad you found it helpful

[@foxman4455]

I'm Israeli, and this country is heavily high-tech oriented. There's positions here in VR simulators development for defense companies, photogrammetry companies, medical companies and etc that want you to know Houdini if your'e a 3D graphics developer or a Technical artist that basically just writes code all day lol. But there's also option for Houdini in tech companies. so really the opportunities are endless. Tyler, did you study any code/math/cs/engineering in university or just self study?

[@cgforge]

Hey Emri, That's a great point with the defense companies, photogrammetry companies, medical, etc... For those roles, I would suggest taking a generalist or technical sort of path, and it's important to know that it's not just film and games that use Houdini. My background is a combination of photography, fine arts, and self-study. I have a BFA (Bachelors of Fine Arts) in 3D Graphics + Animation, but honestly, most of what I know comes from curiosity, freelancing, and lots of practice. My college experience didn't prepare me well for the real world, and most of what I know comes directly from what I was able to teach myself.

[@foxman4455]

@@cgforge Thank you for answering Tyler! It feels nice to know that even for someone proficient as you in Houdini, time in Uni didn't prepare you for the real world. Same thing for me, i'm still "studying"....... been self studying myself while i'm there since i started

[@cgforge]

Right now I'm putting together the last video of this monologue series, and I think it'll be interesting to talk about the university experience. In general, I've been dissatisfied with how much money is being charged vs. what students are getting, but... the situation is complicated. I wouldn't automatically say that it's a bad choice for everyone, but there needs to be a greater awareness of what students are getting into before they sign up.

[@foxman4455]

@@cgforge that will be really interesting to hear! of course going to UNI is different in many countries, i know that in the US there's a lot of pressure to go to Uni right after high-school, in my country it's different. i also have mixed feelings about this. time in uni has been such a rollercoaster of emotion, and disappointment, but also an opportunity to meet people and help do VFX with their student films and stuff. it's definitely was not enough of studying on the professional level, a lot of seminars and theory and such.

[@cgforge]

Totally! That's why it's a very small percentage that go onto getting a job right after graduation. I just posted the video actually, so feel free to check it out here if you'd like: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nXuraoeQmL14opo Cheers!