The action heroes at OCS in Southern California are the kind who love a nice workstation. They're the types who forgo stunt skydiving in favor of digitally intercutting footage of the Grand Canyon with computer-generated images of F-18s. They tinker with footage of actors: draw in beads of sweat on a policeman's forehead, erase wiring that ensures safety in dangerous stunts, and airbrush out wrinkles and cellulite.
The company is currently looking for another such champion, to fill out its staff of 60. OCS is willing to train someone with artistic skills who knows his or her way around a computer and can conceptualize in 3-D, says vice president and chief engineer Ray McIntyre Jr.
For an entry-level employee, the starting pay is US$10 per hour, not a bad deal, considering that many people dig into their own pockets and pay thousands of dollars to learn the trade in digital special effects classes. That's if you can find a college in your hometown with access to the technology, machines, and trainers.
One of the company perks is invitations to advance-screenings of movies. Headquartered in Toluca Lake - home of the immortal Bob Hope - OCS's recent work includes effects for Eraser, Wild America, and Disney's Nothing to Lose. But it ain't all Tinseltown treats. When heavy into a film project, this family-owned company works three shifts around the clock and orders in lunch.
With the current deluge of work, the opportunities for advancement are good. Consider Tyler Foell, who started at OCS as a digital artist 11 months ago. He soon got promoted to lead artist and is now an animation supervisor. "Since I was 16 and saw Raiders, I knew I wanted to be in this industry," says Foell.
