Embracing SynthEyes: Insights from Tanawat Wattanachinda, a Matchmove Artist
In the vibrant world of visual effects (VFX), Tanawat "Tor" Wattanachina, a renowned Thai artist, has been making waves since 2004. Currently, he is based in Thailand, where he leverages SynthEyes for all his matchmove requirements.
SynthEyes, a popular tool in the VFX industry, specialises in matchmoving tasks. These tasks involve tracking the movement of a live-action camera to accurately place virtual elements into the shot. Some common SynthEyes tasks include camera tracking, object tracking, stabilization and smoothing, and creating 3D tracking data, all of which are essential for compositing and visual effects.
Wattanachina's impressive portfolio includes blockbuster films such as Land of Tanabata (2024 Disney+), Suicide Squad (2016), Edge of Tomorrow (2014), 300: Rise of the Empire (2014), The Amazing Spider-man 1&2, and Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance (2011).
The artist credits SynthEyes for enabling him to push out shots in a day like never before. However, he acknowledges that the most challenging shots in matchmove, those requiring hand-animated camera work outside of the matchmove software, are better handled in a digital content creation (DCC) app.
Wattanachina's approach to matchmove problems is strategic and flexible. He prefers to find what works best for a particular problem rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all solution. In his work, he typically handles 80% camera and object track work and 20% deformation or rotomation work.
New artists to SynthEyes, according to Wattanachina, should learn the basics, understand why it works and why it doesn't, and do a lot of exercise shots to build experience.
Beyond matchmove, Wattanachina also works on on-set VFX supervision, VFX data wrangler, and team management tasks. He values SynthEyes for its speed, versatility, and affordability, making it a valuable tool for matchmove artists.
Wattanachina's favourite project he's ever worked on is Tron: Legacy, a challenging full-body actor matchmove that required a new approach, leading to the creation of their Rotomation department. This project marked a significant moment in his career.
Since discovering SynthEyes around 2017, Wattanachina has been a dedicated user, finding the "seed path" and "Axis locks" features particularly useful for their ease of use and practicality in a production pipeline.
Wattanachina's team continues to provide Rotomation services for numerous films, including Green Lantern, Ghost Rider, Men in Black III, and The Amazing Spider-Man 1&2. As Wattanachina navigates the ever-evolving landscape of VFX, SynthEyes remains a trusted companion, allowing him to solve shots faster than ever before with its unbeatable speed and well-rounded set of features.
Tanawat "Tor" Wattanachina often uses SynthEyes, a popular VFX tool, to handle matchmove tasks for his work in the film industry. His portfolio includes blockbuster films such as Land of Tanabata (2024 Disney+), and he values SynthEyes' speed, versatility, and affordability for its compatibility with sports-related projects, like on-set VFX supervision, and his personal hobbies, such as digital content creation and gaming, which can be considered aspects of lifestyle enriched by technology.
