Who is a VFX Specialist?

Chances are you are currently trying to place a meaning to "VFX" and there are all sorts of ideas coming to your head. VFX stands for Visual effects and it is mostly used to achieve stunning and not-so-regular film imagery that tells a certain story most realistically. Filmmakers and storytellers have leaned towards the goodness that VFX exudes and over time, it has been used to create realistic environments and impractical scenarios, and also to improve the general visual experience. 

Who is a VFX Specialist?

A VFX specialist is an individual who is skilled at developing and executing visual effects to achieve a desired picture in any media which could be Movies, documentaries, or TV shows. They have a substantial understanding of VFX techniques, tools, and systems.  

Job Description/Responsibilities of a VFX Specialist 

A VFX specialist uses relevant software and tools to create and execute visual effects that will match a project's requirements. However, they are expected to do more which include: 

• Study and follow project guidelines, creative briefs, and other specifications. 

• Create impressive and top-notch visual effects.

•  Ensure the consistency, continuity, and quality of visual effect shots. 

• Proper integration of photoreal effects into live-action of movies, shows, and games. 

• Developing CGI (consumer-generated images) characters.

•  Troubleshooting animation issues. 

• Creating simulations to fit into projects.

•  Working with feedback from supervisors and project owners.

How does VFX work?

VFX - from the name "Visual Effects", it is easy to deduce that there would be a lot of impacts, transitions, removals, and upshots. The idea of using VFX is to enhance visual elements for TV shows, Video games, Movies, and other relevant media. The concept of VFX is a complex one that involves merging real-world footage with a computer-generated Image or video. To get a perfect result, the project must pass through several stages that start with pre-production. The pre-production stage allows for a plan to be properly drafted and the creative vision to be discussed. 

The moment the project takes off, it is important to have all necessary elements in place to capture the image that had earlier been planned, and then the whole VFX team gathers relevant data, supervises camera tracking, and captures every other data that would be incorporated into the computer-generated image. Along the line, it may be necessary to create assets to get a perfect result of what has been envisioned. Hence, 3D modeling comes into the picture, and required images or objects are created digitally, and textured to fit into the surface details until it produces a striking and natural appearance. Also, to add a skeletal structure to the characters so that they can be animated, rigging is done. 

When the assets are created, animations are activated to bring them to life so that movement and other necessary actions are performed. This can involve setting key poses that will come alive at the strategic and programmed time. Visual effects can take several modes and some may require the stimulation of particle materials to implement effects such as fire, smoke, flood, or explosions. It can also mean that simulations are created to achieve fluid, air, or whirlwind. However, the work does not stop at just merging or creating images but also combining various layers, adjusting the color, lighting, and saturation to match the computer-generated image. Remember that the idea is to make the whole image look real and ensure that the visual effect blends seamlessly into the scene -  this process is known as compositing. After compositing, the single pixels of each image are evaluated and a final application of lighting and texture is done to achieve the main image.

To put it simply, the stages required to achieve a good project as a VFX specialist include: 

• Tracking

• Modelling

• Rigging

• Modelling

• Animation

• Texturing

• Stimulation

• Rendering

Related: Salary and Job Description of a Motion Graphics Animator

Requirements for every VFX specialist

• Must have a degree or certification in computer science, design, or any other related course.

• Great drawing skills and creativity.

• Prior experience working as a VFX specialist. 

• Must be competent with using VFX tools such as Adobe after effects, Cinema4D, and Houdini.

• Must have a deep understanding of animation, texturing, compositing, and other relevant techniques. 

• Must be able to pay rapt attention to details. 

• Must have good communication skills. 

Where can a VFX Specialist work?

Many VFX Specialists, tilting towards the new work norm may prefer to be freelancers and this allows them to explore different employers and organizations. This also indicates that VFX specialists are not tied to a particular industry. If you are curious about where a VFX specialist can dispense their talents, here:

• Marketing firms

• Film Industry

• Gaming industry

• Television companies

• Music studios

• Architectural firms

Important Tools for Every VFX Specialist

• Houdini

• Adobe After Effects

• Nuke

• Cinema4D

• Blender

• Cinesync

• Hitfilmpro

• Autodesk Maya

• Adobe Photoshop 

Note that if you will be using any of these tools, it is important to consider the cost, system requirements, and what you are looking to achieve. If you have been using a particular tool for a while and you take on a new project with requirements that an entirely new tool will fix, you may not have a choice but to get the tool. However, be sure that you have done your research properly before settling for any tool. 

Salary of a VFX specialist

According to worldsalaries.com, the average annual salary for a VFX specialist ranges between NGN 3,635,200 -  NGN 5,711,000. However, the nature of salary is that there is really no fixed amount all round as it can be influenced by factors that include type of organization and years of experience. Worldsalaries.com further outlined the salary VFX specialists get paid annually based on their level of experience.  

0 - 2 years - NGN 2,038,500

2 - 5 years - NGN 2, 893, 600

5 - 10 years - NGN 3, 805, 100

10 - 15 years - NGN 4, 681, 400

15 - 20 years - NGN 4, 981, 700

VFX specialists are doing a great job of changing the narrative of the entertainment industry and other related industries by enabling spectacular visuals, expanding creative possibilities, and providing cost-effective solutions.