Visual effects (sometimes abbreviated VFX) is the process by which imagery is created or manipulated outside the context of a live-action shot in filmmaking and video production. The integration of live-action footage and other live-action footage or CGI elements to create realistic imagery is called VFX.
VFX involves the integration of live-action footage (which may include in-camera special effects) and generated imagery (digital or optics, animals or creatures). These images look realistic but would be dangerous, expensive, impractical, time-consuming, or impossible to capture on film.
Visual effects using computer-generated imagery (CGI) have more recently become accessible to the independent filmmaker with the introduction of affordable and relatively easy-to-use animation and compositing software.
Some common VFX software include:
- Adobe After Effects
- Maxon Cinema 4D
- Autodesk Maya
- Syntheyes
- 3Ds Max
- Houdini
- Boujou
- Mocha
- Nuke
Types Of VFX
Visual effects are classified into different types. These types can feature either during a film’s production or in controlled production studios using specific software.
Computer Generated Imagery (CGI)
Computer-generated imagery (CGI) is a visual effect that generates images using computers only, whereas other types use them to enhance or combine live-action footage. These images may be either 2D or 3D. However, a 3D representation of an image helps you achieve the best visual impact. Therefore, this effect is most useful when:
- You want to create something non-existent, e.g., a dinosaur.
- You wish to throw light on the delicate details of a scene. E.g., when you want to show a group of people watching a football match.
At this point, CGI is a ubiquitous type of visual effects. And it’s easy for people, especially those outside the film industry, to lump all visual effects under the banner of CGI. Granted, computers are necessary for nearly all forms of visual effects these days so it’s an easy assumption to make. However, the difference between VFX and CGI is clear.
Motion Capture
In this technique, you record an actor’s movements and transfer this information to a computer to animate digital character models. It is called performance capture when you capture the expressions on their face and fingers. In films and videography, motion tracking is referred to as match moving.
Match moving is used to match an actor’s movement against a green screen with live-action footage. However, today it is used to create incredible effects during post-production. Hence, it promises a seamless movie experience. In addition, for accurate integration, you need to consider the below factors concerning the objects in the shot.
- Position
- Scale
- Orientation
- Motion
Actor Andy Serkis pioneered mo-cap through the digitally rendered Gollum in the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy. This opened the door for the technology to evolve and actors to bring fully realized performances to CGI characters.
Compositing & Green Screen VFX
Compositing is a visual technique that collects visual elements from respective sources to create a single image. The single image makes the viewer believe that all the visual elements belong to the same scene.
Alternatively, the Chroma key is another technique that involves filming in front of a single-color flat screen. It helps you create realistic other-worldly scenes due to its technical prowess. This screen is usually blue or green. However, depending upon your requirements, you can choose between any screens.
Usually, a green screen is used when the movie set contains a background. However, a blue screen helps avoid distractions as it uses a black backdrop to hide objects or people. It is the most suitable for live-action and animated movies.
Matte painting
In its original form, matte painting was a special effect that involved shooting against actual painted backdrops on glass panels to give the appearance of a much more expansive set. In modern filmmaking, matte paintings are closer to a form of compositing: An artist will digitally paint a background, in which actors and objects are inserted later. “Game of Thrones” often used digital matte paintings to create its large-scale fantasy settings.
VFX Techniques
Filmmakers adopt different techniques to achieve visual effects. They include:
- Bullet Time. Bullet time was a favorite VFX technique used in filmmaking. It gives a slow-motion effect and emphasizes the intricate details of an action. It gained popularity with the Matrix film series.
- Doubling. The act of doubling involves projecting twins or clones. In reality, an actor who doesn’t have a twin is filmed individually at different locations, and the resultant footage is combined to project twins or clones.
The VFX Pipeline
A visual effect pipeline encompasses the different stages of production at which visual effects are added to a film. It happens mostly during post-production. There are 12 steps in the VFX pipeline. They include:
Storyboarding & animatics
A VFX artist creates a visual representation of the film’s scenes during this phase. For this purpose, they analyze a character’s movement and settings to define a shot through drawings. Then, the production team begins their work based on these inputs.
Pre-Vis
Pre-vis involves the participation of 3D artists and the production team to create a 3D representation of the scenes. This helps to decide the camera angle and skip complicated settings.
Concept art & design
This phase is one of the most significant aspects of pre-production that determines the mood and style of the film. A concept artist designs the settings, characters, props, costumes, lighting, and color.
Matchmove & camera tracking
In this phase, a 3D camera is generated to help the VFX team to create 3D characters and objects. These are then integrated with the original footage through the process of rotomation. Rotomation is the process of matching a character’s motion with the footage.
Layout & production design
The layout or production design involves the visual representation of the final movie set:
- It helps the set builders decide if they could physically build the setting or be digitally incorporated.
- The VFX team pitches in and determines how to integrate the set digitally.
- The production designers finalize the location.
Modeling & asset creation
The 3D modeling and texturing teams work to promote cost-effectiveness. They are one of the first teams to be involved in post-production: the model assets, correct lighting, and shadows.
Research & Development (R&D)
During this phase, VFX supervisors collaborate with the directors to decide to accomplish certain shots. In addition, they also invest their time in research to improve the efficiency of the final shots.
Rigging
A rigging team develops a digital skeleton before animation and replicates a character’s movement. They add bones and calculate and implement skin weights and muscles to achieve this.
Animation
The animators add texture to the rig and use custom controls to bring life to a character, prop, or vehicle. Finally, the movement of these characters is sequenced using software to produce the final animation. In addition, they use motion capture data to achieve the completed look.
FX & simulation
Once the animations are complete, the FX artist comes into the pictures to add simulations like destruction, fire, liquids, smoke, and particles. In addition, they may indulge in creating footsteps in the snow or adding hair to a character.
Lighting & rendering
Once the visual effects are added and blended with the scenes, a lighting artist pitches to make the light color, intensity, and shadows seamless across the frame. These frames are then aligned to a camera angle and given to the compositor.
Compositing
Finally, the compositor layers the film’s elements on top of each other. These elements create an illusion of a single image. In addition, they may add an animated character or overlay simulations to bring a specific effect. To know the practical examples of VFX in movies, you need to know some famous VFX examples in films.
Visual Effects Vs. Special Effects
There is a vast difference between visual effects and special effects. To know when to use each of them in your film, you need to be clear of what they are:
| Visual effects | Special effects |
| VFX requires a computer for implementation. | SFX encompasses elements like pyrotechnics, fake rain, or prosthetic makeup. |
| Visual effects do not take place during the actual shoot. | Special effects are realized on set. |
| Visual effects create, enhance or manipulate images for film or other media. | Special effects are made using a model or animatronics on a location set. |
| Examples of visual effects: Dragons flying through the sky in Game of Thrones A spaceship flying through space in Star Wars. | Examples of special effects: Purposeful and controlled explosions Fake gunshot wounds |
| VFX are considered digital effects as they enhance the quality of visual storytelling. | SFX are considered practical effects, as they are functional elements that feature while the movie plot unfolds. |
How to become a VFX artist
| Basic Educational Qualifications | A degree in graphic design, animation, or art. |
| Required Skills | Animation Experience Video Production Computer Proficiency Communication Skills Time Management |
| Essential Tools to know | Adobe software (After Effects, Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere Pro) |
Career options
A VFX artist can begin their career in any of the below industries.
- TV channels/ Production Houses
- VFX studios
- Gaming Industry
- Media and Advertising
- Freelancer
However, they may start with the below-mentioned roles:
- Storyboard artist, VFX artist
- Motion graphic artists.
- Architectural Modeling
- Color key artist
- Asset Development
- Roto Artist
- Paint Artist
- Junior compositor
- Compositing artist
- Short filmmaker
- Match move artist
- Matchmaking Artist
- Editor
Salary
The average VFX artist’s salary is $87,750 per year in the USA. As a fresher, you might start at $68,250 per year. However, as experience refines your skill, you can make up to $126,250 per year.
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