VFX Supervisor

A VFX Supervisor may work directly on set, or at a separate Visual Effects Studio. Each day can be very different from the one before. Their work can also shift dependent on if they are working on a separate film, a full TV Series, or other visual media. They could work on a short portion of a complex shoot for a few days or a single movie for up to two years.

Pre-Production

During pre-production, a VFX Supervisor will meet with the producers and directors of the project. They will review every shot of the film with this team to determine when and where an effect will need to be added after shooting. They will work with VFX artists to craft concept art, prototype computer models, and any other planning that needs to take place.

During Filming

During filming, the VFX Supervisor makes sure each shot is able to have effects added. Sometimes, shots may change which can make it more difficult for the VFX team to do their job. There may be a need to reshoot a scene with different elements such as a green screen to make it easier for the VFX artists to do their job.

Sometimes, VFX is able to start before a movie is finished filming. 

Post-Production

Because a VFX Supervisor is responsible for all visual effects, they spend much of post-production reviewing the work of the VFX artists. The Supervisor will make sure all the added effects meet the level of quality a director and producer is looking for. However, they also must make sure their artists are meeting time deadlines. There can be long days and hours for Visual Effects workers!

Typical Duties

• Review scripts for films, TV shows, music videos, commercials, and other video media where effects will be needed
• Assist with developing bids for the VFX studio wanting to work on the production’s effects, when applicable 
• Discuss ideas with the production’s writers, producers, and directors
• Go over budgets and timeframes with the unit production manager
• Collaborate with applicable crew or directors as needed to ensure scenes are shot in a way that allows for adding VFX later
• Suggest changes to filming, such as using a green screen backdrop, so VFX can be integrated smoothly
• Ensure the creative vision is understood and captured by the VFX production management department 
• Oversee the development of concept art and CGI and inspire artists with ideas 
• Keep projects on track and stay responsive to change requests 
• Conduct quality control checks and sign off on work that’s ready to be shown to the producers and directors
• Stay engaged with other departments including stunt coordination, special effects and prosthetics, wardrobe, hair and makeup, etc. to ask questions and make sure VFX embellishments are done correctly   
• Add VFX over actors’ real features for motion capture (“mocap”) performances or de-aging 

Additional Responsibilities

• Stay on top of new developments in the industry
• Watch what other VFX companies are doing to draw inspiration 
• Help actors visualize how the final cut of a shot will appear after effects are adding, in case it helps them understand the scene better so they can adapt their performance
• Ensure new artists are trained and up-to-speed on the work that needs to be done

Soft Skills

• Written and Oral Communication
• Interpersonal Skills such as diplomacy and networking
• Attention to Detail
• Planning and Organizing
• Adaptable/Flexible problem solving
• Ability to inspire others 
• Active listening
• Collaborative 
• Conceptualization skills
• Confidence 
• Creativity
• Decisiveness
• Detail-oriented
• Flexibility
• Leadership 
• Patience
• Persistence 
• Planning and organization
• Problem-solving skills
• Strong communication skills
• Teamwork
• Visual and written storytelling

Technical Skills

• Film/Video Production skills, including editing
• Able to use complex computer animation and editing software such as Adobe Creative Cloud or AfterEffects
• Communication technology via computer, phone, or software like Slack.
• Computer coding and VFX pipeline
• Programming languages such as Python and C++
• Expertise with professional VFX programs such as Adobe After Effects, Maya, Nuke, and others
• Familiarity with design, special effects, and post-production processes
• General understanding of the roles, responsibilities, and challenges of all critical departments and crew members, including production design, wardrobe, art, makeup, sound, special and visual effects, set decor, stunt coordinators, cast directors, etc. 
• Knowledge of video camera equipment and filmmaking software, including professional editing tools 
• Project management skills
• Technical knowledge of framing and staging shots

• Television/Film Studio
• Video Game Studio
• Visual Effects Studio
• Advertising and PR firms
• Motion picture studios
• Performing arts industries
• TV broadcasting
• Video game companies
• VFX companies

As with many jobs in the entertainment industry, becoming a VFX Supervisor can be a long and challenging road. You may find it difficult to find an entry-level position at a VFX studio and will need to work at creating an effects reel or portfolio independently. You may also start work on film sets as a production assistant or runner. 

A runner may only be responsible for message delivery and fetching coffee. If you lack a network and connections, it will take time to build it. Enthusiasm and a positive attitude are key to moving up in the field.

VFX houses also provide long hours. You may start at 9 am and work past midnight during times when deadlines are approaching. If you are working as a VFX artist, it can take many years of this lifestyle before you are able to move into a Supervisor role.

A VFX Supervisor has very little further to go in the VFX field, as they are often the top worker in a VFX studio. This is often the role they want to end their career in, but some may move on to be VFX Producers or Film Directors.

If you continue to do good work, your main advancement will be bigger and better-known projects.

As effects continue to improve in realism, there is a greater need for these artists and supervisors. Especially with the recent trend of action and superhero movies, VFX has become essential for creating realistic-looking computer art.

However, there has been pushback by some filmmakers to return to practical effects. Some VFX Supervisors see this as competition, but others see it as an opportunity. Practical effects often need touch-up work done after filming is completed by VFX houses.

As Virtual Reality offerings increase, there is more opportunity for VFX artists to work in this field as well. This includes Augmented Reality (AR), which involves a visual overlay in real-time over what an individual sees in real life. While perfect for entertainment, it also is being used in the field of education.

Streaming platforms have rocked the entertainment industry, with high-quality scripts, boosted production values, and fat checks luring big-name producers, directors, and stars. This shift has been a boon for the VFX industry, which is needed to produce film-quality effects for shows on Netflix, HBO Max, Disney+, Apple TV, Amazon, and more. 

Where once their work was reserved mostly for sci-fi films, now VFX gurus are lending their wizardry to almost every type of show being produced today. Many effects look so natural, viewers don’t realize they are seeing them — even in sitcoms and dramas. Of course, VFX really stands out the most in action and superhero flicks, which have seen a massive surge in recent years. 

While some old-school filmmakers lament this trend and prefer practical special effects, even these stalwarts of cinema are willing to venture into VFX territory when it suits their purposes (with a good example being when acclaimed director Martin Scorsese criticized Marvel films after using extensive de-aging VFX throughout his crime drama The Irishman). 

The video game market continues to be a cash cow for VFX companies, too. Meanwhile, Augmented Reality is a new frontier for VFX explorers, for it involves visual overlay in real-time over what an individual sees in real life.

VFX Supervisors were probably huge movie and TV buffs growing up. They may have enjoyed making amateur videos for YouTube and adding effects with free software tools. Like other future film and TV workers, they were likely innovative, driven, and comfortable with a little chaos in their daily activities. In school, they might have been involved in computer and audiovisual clubs, artistic extracurricular activities, or creative hobbies like drawing or graphic design.