What is your name and what is your position at TTF?
My name is Sofia Caldeira and I am a Shot Creator – Visualization Artist.
How long have you been with TTF?
I’ve been with the TTF since March 2021.
What does your role look like day to day?
My day might vary between doing…
Previs– staging scenes following client briefs, storyboards and/or scripts, helping define sequences.
Techvis– creating scenes that inform filming setups prior to shooting.
Postvis– where we combine previs elements with live-action photography (plates).
What led you to work in the visualization and entertainment industry?
My origin story starts with me as a teenager spending hours watching every behind-the-scenes content during the golden era of DVD extras. My eyes would light up watching people on set and the making of, and I knew I wanted to be part of this world. In University, I studied filmmaking, photography and multimedia. But it was during a 3D animation class that I fell in love with telling stories in 3D. Years later I did an intensive Advanced 3D for VFX course and the rest is history.
What is your favorite part about working for TTF?
What I love about my role is that we have the opportunity for some creative input. There are not many things as awesome as seeing that the shot you created was kept almost “like for like” in the finals because the client loved it so much.
Being able to do that at the TTF is a fantastic experience: besides the fact that we work on the most amazing shows, I am surrounded by extremely experienced and very nice people that are always ready to help.
What advice would you give someone looking to get into this industry?
Network, network, network! Go to industry-related events, have your LinkedIn always up to date and follow everyone you meet. Have a showreel ready to share for feedback and to send in case the right opportunity comes along. We all want the perfect showreel but sometimes that aim becomes elusive and might make you lose your shot. Lastly, never forget that every artist in this industry is also a filmmaker, so watch films (and series)!
How have you grown here?
Before I joined TTF, I was working as Final Layout Artist and a big part of my job was to “follow what the Previs did”. But now, I am on the other side, doing the previs! There was a lot to learn about staging a scene from scratch, and my confidence and skills in doing so have exponentially increased with every shot. Every day I learn new things with my colleagues and I am growing into a more complete Visualization Artist.
What’s your favorite creative outlet?
Dancing! I did Ballet (and other types of dance) for 13 years and even though I don’t anymore, I still find myself dancing to my favorite jams at home and would love to get back into it. I love being able to express myself through movement, learning new choreographies and the excitement of performing for a crowd. It really is something special.
Where do you draw your inspiration from?
From various sources: films, books, music! But I also get inspired by everyday life. Sometimes during my commuting, I look around and try to imagine backstories for the people around me.
What was your biggest influence as a kid?
I would say that watching the Disney Renaissance classics over and over again on my VHS reader, definitely left a mark on me. I felt truly transported to these stories and they awakened the storyteller inside me!
Are you doing anything at the moment to grow and develop your skills?
I am currently learning more about Unreal Engine. Such a great tool with so much potential, which will soon enough become an industry standard.
You’re on the run from a hoard of zombies, what do you do?
What sort of zombies are we talking about here? Can they run? See? Hear? I guess I could try some sort of camouflage, but if they are World War Z zombies, I am doomed!
If not London/LA, where?
My beautiful hometown of Porto, Portugal.
Fictional character you’d share a pint with?
The Doctor
Describe what you were like as a 10-year-old?
I was a quiet child (but not too shy) and a great student (best of my year, if I may say so). I loved watching the cartoons on the TV on Saturday mornings and going to my Ballet classes during the week.
If Hollywood made a movie about your life, who would you like to see cast as you?
Jennifer Lawrence
People would be surprised if they knew…
I can breathe fire!!! I learned it at Uni when I was part of a performing arts group.
TV Show/Film you’re ashamed to admit you love!
I know this is a bit niche, but growing up in Portugal in the 90s and 00s, prime-time TV was reserved for Brazilian telenovelas and I was hooked! My all-time favorite is “O Clone”.
Go-to karaoke song?
“Valerie” by Mark Ronson ft. Amy Winehouse
