A Visual Effects Matchmove Tracker aligns CG elements with live-action footage by tracking camera movement, ensuring accurate placement and integration of digital assets within a scene.
Matchmove is the point at which on-set data—such as live-action plates, lens information, lighting references, and other onset details—enters the VFX pipeline.
As the first step in the pipeline, the work done here must be meticulous and efficient, as its outputs are relied upon by many downstream departments.
The matchmove department is primarily responsible for recreating the motion of the film camera in 3D space. They also track characters or objects moving through a shot—for example, a vehicle requiring CG augmentation, or matching a CG character to an actor’s movement (body tracking).
In addition, the department cleans up and organises on-set data and is often tasked with layout work, such as setting up initial environment scenes to match previs or blocking in CG cameras.
Due to its foundational role, matchmove demands a high level of quality control. Mistakes at this stage can impact multiple departments, so diligence and attention to detail are essential.
A general familiarity with the VFX pipeline, as well as 3D concepts and software, is expected. A solid understanding of real-world film camera attributes—and how they translate to CG cameras—is highly beneficial.
Entry-level roles in the 3D department often begin in matchmove. This provides new artists with a strong grounding in the VFX pipeline.
As matchmove sits at the start of the process, maintaining clean files and scenes is a critical skillset to develop early on. It also helps familiarise new artists with core production tools, including asset management systems, databases, dailies, and publishing workflows.
Videos on the Web
- Visual Effects Matchmove Tracker- from: Youtube Search
Interests - Visual Effects Matchmove Tracker
This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:
Creative
Creative people are drawn to careers and activities that enable them to take responsibility for the design, layout or sensory impact of something (visual, auditory etc). They may be atrracted to the traditional artistic pursuits such as painting, sculpture, singing, or music. Or they may show more interest in design activities, such as architecture, animation, or craft areas, such as pottery and ceramics.
Creative people use their personal understanding of people and the world they live in to guide their work. Creative people like to work in unstructured workplaces, enjoy taking risks and prefer a minimum of routine.
