WHAT ARE VISUAL EFFECTS? (In the Entertainment industry.)

VFX - CGI Curtain / Photo Credit: 300 - Zimbio

WHAT ARE VISUAL EFFECTS? (In the Entertainment industry.)

Bruce Bisbey…please follow me at: https://dumbdogproductionsllc.blogspot.com or https://www.facebook.com/DumbDogProductionsLLC/ thank you.

WHAT ARE VISUAL EFFECTS?

Visual effects (abbreviated VFX) is the process by which imagery is created or manipulated outside the context of a live action shot in film making.

Visual effects involve in the integration of live-action footage (special effects) and generated imagery (digital effects) to create environments which look realistic, but would be dangerous, expensive, impractical, time consuming or impossible to capture on film. Visual effects using computer-generated imagery (CGI) have recently become accessible to the independent filmmaker with the introduction of affordable and easy-to-use animation and compositing software.

It isn’t just the big budget action films that visual effects are employed; VFX has become so integrated into the filmmaking process we barely notice it.  VFX artists can be responsible for creating crystal blue skylines; crowd scenes can expand from hundreds of background talent to thousands. Heavy makeup or prosthetics are evened out, and wrinkles can appear less noticeable. If the budget is there to enhance the filmmaker's world, then the VFX team will be working their magic on features, TV drama, commercials and promos.

Visual effects are often integral to a movie's story and appeal. Although most visual effects work is completed during post-production, it usually must be carefully planned and choreographed in pre-production and production. Visual effects primarily executed in post-production with the use of multiple tools and technologies such as graphic design, modeling, animation and similar software, while special effects such as explosions and car chases are made on set. A visual effects supervisor is usually involved with the production from an early stage to work closely with production and the film's director design, guide and lead the teams required to achieve the desired effects.

Visual effects, or VFX, is a term to describe anything that cannot be accomplished in the real world during principle photography -such as explosions, alien invasion, dinosaurs stalking through the jungle or skyscrapers falling to the ground. VFX free up filmmakers to create the images that were once impossible. Predominantly all VFX are created using computers, and the demand is now so prevalent that packages such as Cinema 4D can be run on a laptop, opening up possibilities for independent filmmakers.

Any effects, however, do require time, it is complicated intricate work that often takes many hands to produce a few moments of screen time.  One small last minute change from a director can have dramatic ramifications for VFX producers, months of work can be sidelined during one conversation. Consequently, VFX artists can be found ramping up the hours as they seek to maintain imposed deadlines from production companies. 

If working on a film that is heavily reliant on VFX, the VFX supervisors will begin work in pre-production consulting with the director, line producer, production designer and DoP. The pre-visualization team (concept artists, animators and modelers’) collaborate with the production designer to generate basic animations and images for the DoP and director to work out camera angles, the images or animations they produce also help actors visualize the scene when using green screen. During production members of VFX will cooperate with the Camera Department to make sure the production and post-production process sync up, this can mean attaching devices to the camera that track movement and details such as aperture and focal length. Their relationship with the Art Department will be ongoing during production, especially if the sets are partially-VFX, partially-real world. The UK has some of the finest VFX companies in the world who work across all areas of film, television and commercials, leading the way when it comes to innovation and creative output.   

Sources, References & Credits: Google, Wikipedia, Wikihow, WikiBooks, Pinterest, IMDB, Linked In, Indie Wire, Film Making Stuff, Hiive, Film Daily, New York Film Academy, The Balance, Careers Hub, The Numbers, Film Maker, TV Guide Magazine, Blurb, Media Match, Quora, Creative Skill Set, Chron, Investopedia, Variety, No Film School, How Stuff Works, WGA, BBC, Daily Variety, The Film Agency, Best Sample Resume, How Stuff Works, Bright Hub, Career Trend, Producer's Code of Credits, Truity, Production Hub, Producers Guild of America, Film Connection, Variety, Wolf Crow, Get In Media, Production Beast, Sony Pictures, Warner Bros, UCAS, Frankenbite, Realty 101, Liberty Me, Careers Hub, Sokanu, Raindance, Film Connection, My Job Search, Prospects, David Mullich, Video University,

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VFX - CGI Curtain / Photo Credit: 300 - Zimbio