Mark Renton was an online Flame artist when I worked with him at VHQ in Singapore some years ago. When I asked him what he wanted to be when he grew up he said he wanted to paint backgrounds for feature films.

Today, Mark, originally from Townsville, now lives in Los Angeles with his wife and son and has been a Special Effects Supervisor on such films as The Curious Case of Benjiman Button, Pirates of the Caribbean, The Minority Report and many more. He now does what he dreamt of doing.

I asked Mark what research and background homework does a special effects editor bring to a project.

Check more tips about the film industry inĀ my book.