With modern technology, we often need more than just animation to tell the story of a movie. This is where visual effects come into the picture. Visual Effects are on-screen components that create motion pictures and advertisements. These are highly used in modern films which require high-standard VFX. Especially comic book films like Avengers or Wonder Women require tons of VFX artists putting in days and months of their work together. Hence, building a successful VFX workflow becomes imperative.
Motion pictures usually use visual effects like:
- Computer-generated images (CGI)
- Animation
- 3D computer graphics models
- Transitions between different location scenes, and
- Sound design.
How To Build A Successful Workflow?
Well, you start with the little things. You get pieces of your design in line and begin working out an execution plan that supports the given time frame. Moreover, you may also want to think about retakes and ill-rendered effects that don't look natural, sophisticated, or believable within the VFX pipeline. All of this could take a long, very long time to build but here are some tips you can use to build a successful workflow in the VFX industry.
Plan
To build a successful workflow, you need to plan out your precise workflow. This means you should build your strategy or technique to manage the entire VFX process. You need to think about this early on. The goal here is to achieve the best-looking quality possible within the given time frame.
You can also model your VFX editing process as closely as possible using Photoshop for modelling, Autodesk Maya for rigging and further Pixel Farm to create 2D effects and compositing through Adobe After Effects and so on. You could also look for some free VFX tools.
Analyse
Before starting on any project, you need to do an in-depth analysis of the project brief and its needs based on the storyboard. Next, look into the story and see what the VFX you need ultimately is. Think of this as a “needs-look”, but additionally think about how you can best achieve them within the given time frame. Some video editing effects may also help you save some time, so be mindful of those.
Work
The workflow, from start to finish, can be broken down into different stages. For example, you work out the design for your VFX shots and then stage them together with sound, etc. then be ready for the concept board where everything is approved by your supervisor or director who often does not have a lot of background in film-making.
If not, you may even pick up some great tips from someone who has full experience in film VFX or in creating different visual effects processes for VFX post-production. Here, your expertise and prior planning may present you with an opportunity.
Finalise
This may be another stage in the overall VFX process. It’s when you look at the final approval of your work. You want to go back to your supervisors and see if they are happy with how the final VFX shots turned out or not. If not, you need to do some VFX editing quickly.
This may require a lot of brainstorming on the shortfalls, whereby you might need to post produce some more VFX like taking some out, adding some in or even reshooting them. Remain patient with your art.
Work On
Finally, you are ready to master the VFX workflow. If needed, you need to look for a way to share your artistic vision in the VFX industry. It’s up to you whether you want to pursue 3D modelling and creating VFX on personal computers or prefer going further and learning/training so that you can obtain a job in VFX.
But here is a good tip – working on your scene-by-scene workflow builds-up skills that will make it easier for future jobs. This is where time management and critical thinking comes into play.
Conclusion
VFX workflow is critical to a VFX pipeline. It's how you consider an idea, make it happen, and then bring it into reality. This is one of the most important things you have to have to be successful in the VFX industry.
Without a strong workflow, your work will be chaotic and there will never be a level of excellence which is required for VFX editing processes. If you follow the tips above and work on these principles consistently, you can achieve greatness within your workflow.
Reference link: https://vocal.media/photography/the-essential-guide-to-building-a-successful-vfx-workflow
