UCF alum Greg Hulet is now working on major international films with Reel FX. After graduating cum laude in 2011 with a B.A. in Digital Media—Visual Language, Greg became a Layout Artist at Reel FX, one of the industry’s best special effects production houses.
Greg says, “For almost a year now I’ve been working in the layout department at the animation studio Reel FX in Dallas. I am one of four UCF Character Animation/Visual Language alums currently employed at this studio. The professors working in the Character Animation program have done a great job recreating the feel of a real studio production environment, and for the first several weeks I would think to myself, ‘Hmm, this is just like it was in school.’
“On Mustache Mayhem, I focused heavily on layout and animation, and I use the majority of what I learned daily. The language of the camera, and the knowledge of film making have perhaps benefited me the most in my chosen focus, but the knowledge of Maya gained while I was a student is close behind.”
He continues, “I got my start at Reel FX through their special apprenticeship program called Reel FX University. It is a six-month program that provides you on-the-job training, where you get to learn while working on real projects.
“When I arrived, production was in full swing on Reel FX’s first animated feature Free Birds directed by Jimmy Hayward. During my apprenticeship, I got to work on shots that can be seen in the films final form. It was a great way to be introduced to feature animation production work.
“Once I ‘graduated’ from their apprenticeship program, I was offered a full artist contract, and I am now doing layout on Reel FX’s next animated feature Book of Life, directed by Jorge Guiterrez and produced by Guillermo del Toro. Free Birds hits theaters November 1, 2013, and Book of Life is currently slated for October 10, 2014.”