CAS: What’s your name, where are you from, and where are you now?
Raf: My name is Rafael Dániel Zubán, and I prefer the nickname Raf. I am originally from Pécs and now live in Budapest, Hungary.

What do you do at Clear Angle Studios?
I am a Managing Director in Hungary. My job is to run the Hungarian company, do all employment-related tasks, manage and help Hungarian workers and local projects/businesses running here, and deal with our support companies on the HR and LAW side. Our lovely UK supervisors manage daily professional work, and in parallel, I am focusing on the company and people. I also help with several different R&D topics, do advisory work on running things, have the leading role in starting Radiance Field methods, plan a rig for Swatch scanning and work with this fantastic team. Rarely do I support the 4D unit, too, and hopefully, more amazing things are coming!

What do you like most about working here?
Working with such talented, international, and lovely people here is fun, and 3D scanning is much better than many other filmmaking areas. I can learn and help a lot! I also like the Technology and the knowledge behind how CAS deals with the extreme amount of high-quality scans. I am a massive fan of RnD and new Technology, so all developments are mind-blowing. I like my Hungarian Team, where people help each other and have a real community here. Friendships are significant to me, and I could also find them around the entire company.

What’s the best project you’ve worked on?
Can I mention a bit more? The best three were building the Hungarian entity, starting the Radiance field journey, and planning the Swatch scanner.

What’s one piece of kit or a piece of software that makes your job better?
I never thought about it before, but my phone has been my most important tool during my job in the last few years. I make many calls, sign contracts, check materials, and chat with people. Now, it can capture extreme-resolution photos and perform texture references, Photogrammetry, Gaussian splatting, and similar tasks. It can stream a complete workstation when needed. All my Chrome Ball, Macbeth, Pano, Leica 360 head, etc., are behind. On set, my physical and laser tape saved my life several times. Knowing distances is critical in the 3D world!

Give us a recommendation for something you like.
I recommend the VES handbook for professional VFX life, and I suggest checking many making-of videos! The book contains a massive amount of information, is pretty detailed, and is nearly 1000 pages long. For ART and CGI, my gold tip is Light for Visual Artists by Richard Yot. If you are good with lights, everything can go smoothly! If you like travel, Budapest is a fantastic, friendly place. First, I recommend jumping here and visiting us, the HUN team, and the Office! Restaurants that I love here: Vakvarjú Étterem újbuda (Restaurant to The Blind Crow), MAZI (The Greek kitchen); if you are vegan or want gluten or lactose-free: Pingrumba (Indian Restaurant); if you love Meat: Trófea Grill (The Trophy, all you can eat). And the best handmade hamburger is at the small ‘Tasty Restaurant‘, XI Ker. The city is full of baths, which help relax and keep Pixels and Polygons out after a long workday. I recommend two: The hidden bath of Veli Bej and the Iodine Salt Spa in Pesterzsébet. We are all here for you, with further tips and support anytime!