CANNONBALL VFX WIKI
Welcome to the Cannonball VFX Wiki! This resource serves as a comprehensive guide to all things related to Cannonball VFX, providing essential information and onboarding materials for new members. Here, you'll find valuable insights about our processes, tools, and creative techniques that drive our innovative visual effects work. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting your journey us, this wiki is designed to equip you with the knowledge you need to succeed in our dynamic environment.
Slack
Slack serves as the primary communication platform for Cannonball VFX and is the central hub for all day-to-day production communication, team collaboration, updates, and project coordination.
You will receive an invitation to join the Cannonball VFX Slack workspace shortly after onboarding. Once your account has been activated, you will be added to the appropriate channels for the projects you are assigned to, as well as any relevant department or company-wide channels.
Download & Setup
Please download and install Slack prior to beginning work:
Slack Website: Slack Official Website
Slack is available on:
Windows
macOS
iOS
Android
Web Browser
We strongly recommend enabling desktop and mobile notifications to stay informed on production updates and important communications.
How We Use Slack
Slack is used throughout the production lifecycle to streamline communication across artists, production, supervisors, and clients when applicable. You can expect Slack to be used for:
Daily communication and production updates
Shot assignments and coordination
Review notes and feedback discussions
Technical support and pipeline assistance
File and reference sharing
Scheduling meetings and check-ins
Announcements and team-wide updates
As new projects are initiated, dedicated channels will be created to ensure all communication remains organized and project-specific.
Communication Expectations
We encourage all team members to actively participate and communicate clearly throughout production. Slack should be used to:
Ask questions when clarification is needed
Communicate progress and potential blockers early
Share ideas and collaborate with other artists
Notify production of delays, technical issues, or delivery concerns
Maintain visibility and responsiveness during working hours
Clear and proactive communication is an essential part of maintaining an efficient and collaborative workflow across the studio.
Best Practices
Keep project communication within the appropriate channels
Use threads whenever possible to keep discussions organized
Avoid sharing large media directly through Slack if it belongs on LucidLink
Tag the appropriate team members when immediate attention is required
Maintain professional and respectful communication at all times
Slack is a key part of how Cannonball VFX operates remotely, helping maintain a connected and collaborative environment across all productions.
LucidLink
LucidLink is Cannonball VFX’s primary cloud-based server and collaboration platform. It is used internally by our team as well as externally with clients and vendors to securely share project files, footage, assets, renders, and deliveries in real time.
On your first day, you will receive an invitation link granting access to the Cannonball VFX LucidLink workspace. Once your account has been activated, you will have access to:
* The projects you are currently assigned to
* Shared production assets
* Elements and stock libraries
* Show templates and pipeline tools
* Internal references and production materials
Download & Installation
Please download and install the latest version of LucidLink before beginning work:
* Windows & macOS Download: [LucidLink Downloads](https://www.lucidlink.com/download)
* LucidLink Website: [LucidLink Official Website](https://www.lucidlink.com)
After installation, you will log in using the invitation email sent to you by the production team.
How We Use LucidLink
LucidLink functions as a virtual shared drive, allowing all artists to work directly from the same centralized project structure without needing to manually sync files locally. This helps ensure:
* Consistent project organization across the team
* Faster collaboration between departments
* Real-time access to the latest versions of shots and assets
* Reduced file duplication and transfer overhead
* Simplified delivery and review workflows
Depending on your role and project assignment, you may be asked to:
* Pull plates and references directly from the server
* Publish work-in-progress renders
* Access shared Nuke templates and pipeline tools
* Upload final deliveries or review media
* Cache frequently used assets locally for improved performance
Important Notes
* Please do not reorganize folders or rename files unless instructed by production or supervision.
* Always maintain the existing project structure and naming conventions.
* Avoid storing personal or unrelated files on the server.
* If you encounter syncing, caching, or connection issues, notify production or pipeline support immediately.
Additional pipeline setup instructions, including Nuke tool integration and shared menu configuration, will be provided separately.
Autodesk Flow
Autodesk Flow Production Tracking (formerly ShotGrid) is used at Cannonball VFX as the primary platform for project management, shot tracking, review workflows, task assignments, and production coordination.
You will receive an invitation to the Cannonball VFX Autodesk Flow workspace during onboarding. Once your account has been activated, you will have access to the projects, sequences, shots, and tasks relevant to your assignments.
Access & Login
You can access Autodesk Flow Production Tracking through your web browser:
Autodesk Flow Production Tracking: Autodesk Flow Production Tracking
Autodesk Sign In: Autodesk Account Login
Depending on your role and project requirements, you may also be provided with additional integrations for tools such as Nuke, RV, or other production software.
How We Use Autodesk Flow
Autodesk Flow serves as the central production management system for tracking work throughout the lifecycle of a project. It allows production, supervisors, and artists to stay aligned on priorities, schedules, and shot status in real time.
You can expect to use Autodesk Flow for:
Viewing assigned shots and tasks
Tracking deadlines and delivery schedules
Receiving review notes and supervisor feedback
Uploading playblasts, renders, or review submissions
Monitoring shot status and version history
Reviewing references and production information
Coordinating approvals and client reviews
The platform helps maintain visibility across all departments and ensures that production remains organized and efficient throughout the duration of each project.
Artist Workflow Expectations
Artists are expected to keep their assigned tasks and shot statuses updated regularly to help production accurately track progress and scheduling.
Typical responsibilities include:
Updating task statuses as work progresses
Publishing versions for review when requested
Addressing supervisor and client notes promptly
Reviewing deadlines and priorities daily
Communicating any blockers or delays to production early
Accurate and timely updates within Autodesk Flow are essential for maintaining an efficient pipeline and ensuring smooth collaboration across the team.
Review & Versioning
All submissions should follow the project’s naming conventions and versioning structure. When publishing work for review:
Ensure the latest version is uploaded correctly
Include notes when necessary for context or technical considerations
Double-check frame ranges, color space, and output specifications
Confirm that renders are complete and free of obvious issues before submission
Production and supervision teams will review submissions directly through Autodesk Flow and provide notes or approvals accordingly.
Best Practices
Review your assigned tasks at the beginning of each workday
Keep statuses accurate and up to date
Use clear version comments when publishing work
Notify production immediately if deadlines may be impacted
Avoid duplicate uploads or unnecessary version clutter
Maintain organized file structures that match the production pipeline
Autodesk Flow plays a critical role in keeping projects organized and ensuring smooth communication between artists, production, supervisors, and clients throughout the entire production process.
General Studio Information
Working Hours & Availability
Cannonball VFX operates primarily on Pacific Standard Time (PST). Our standard studio working hours are:
Monday – Friday 9:30 AM PST – 6:30 PM PST.
While we strive to maintain a standard 8-hour workday, we understand that our team may be distributed across multiple time zones internationally. Artists working remotely from different regions are generally welcome to follow working hours that align with their local time zone, provided that communication and project responsibilities remain consistent and reliable.
Depending on the project and production schedule, team members may occasionally be asked to:
Attend dailies or review sessions
Participate in production meetings
Be available during overlapping collaboration hours with the core team
Any required meeting times or schedule expectations will be communicated in advance by production.
Communication & Responsiveness
Clear communication is a key part of maintaining an efficient remote workflow. Team members are expected to:
Remain reasonably responsive during their working hours
Communicate progress, delays, or blockers proactively
Notify production as early as possible regarding scheduling conflicts or availability issues
Maintain regular check-ins through Slack and production tools
Time Off & Sick Days
If you are feeling unwell or require time off to recover, please notify the team as early as possible so production schedules can be adjusted accordingly.
For sick days or absence notifications, please contact:
We strongly encourage team members to prioritize their health and communicate availability changes proactively.
Payroll, Contracts & Administrative Questions
For questions related to:
Payroll
Invoices
Contracts
Onboarding paperwork
Payment processing
Administrative documentation
Please contact:
yaser@cannonballvfx.com
General Questions & Production Support
For any general studio questions, production concerns, workflow clarifications, or project-related discussions, feel free to reach out directly to:
We encourage open communication across the studio and aim to maintain a collaborative, supportive, and transparent working environment for all team members.
Pipeline Wiki
VFX Wiki
Contact
Tarek Saleh: tarek@cannonballvfx.com
Yaser Fouad: yaser@cannonballvfx.com