Table of Contents Index
What Exactly is VFX Filmmaking?
Examples of VFX Used in Bollywood Films?
How Exactly Are the VFX Films Made and Who Makes Them?
Who Makes VFX Films?
Career Scope of a VFX Filmmaker in India
Eligibility for Doing VFX Film Making Courses
Careers in VFX Filmmaking in India
VFX Filmmaking Job Profiles and its Job Roles
Job Roles in VFX Filmmaking
Salary Scope of a Filmmaker in India
Why Should One Choose VFX Filmmaking as a Career Path?
What Exactly is VFX Filmmaking?
VFX means Virtual Effects and these days these effects play a major role when it comes to filmmaking. VFX has become a huge part in storytelling and more and more directors are making use of it to enhance their filmmaking. If we believed that if the VFX are not effective and appealing, then the audience never believes the story. VFX is basically the step of creating special effects like explosions, storms, earthquakes, fires etc. which are not possible to shoot in real life. It’s an imagery that is created which needs to be put forward as realistic in order to make the audience realize it’s necessity.
Examples of VFX Used in Bollywood Films
Also, the concept of visual effects have been made use in various films since starting but to be precise, the current mega popularity and the good use of computer-generated images has totally changed the importance of visual effects these days. Computer-generated-images (CGI) used in visual effects have gained importance because of the impact it creates.
Some of the leading examples of VFX used in Bollywood films are as follows:
- Kick
- Cocktail
- Chak de India
- Bahubali
- Padmavat
- Dhoom 3
- Chennai express
- Krrish
- Sultan
- Judwaa 2
How Exactly Are the VFX Films Made and Who Makes Them?
There are three major steps that are involved in VFX Filmmaking
1. Pre-production
- Research and Development
For a filmmaking project, the first step will be research and development. Here the technical approach related to the film is contemplated and decided. The type of software that will be used is discussed here which is a vital part in a VFX Filmmaking project.
- Pre-visualization
It is an important step. Here, the story line or the script is transformed into a rough basic 3D animated draft. The draft that is formed and created may not be the exact representation of the final shot but it gives a director an idea of what needs to be done and what major improvements needs to be proceeded with.
2. Production
- 3D Modeling
These steps generally take place at all the three major steps. At the time of pre-visualization a basic draft is created but here a more precise, high quality and complex draft is created which is closer to reality and serves numerous purposes.
- Matte Painting
Matte Painting assists in creating and forming backgrounds. This is the most relevant and reliable technique when it comes to creating bulk environment backgrounds.
- Photography
There are two types of photography, one is that takes place at the time of actual shoot which is known as principal photography and the other one is that takes place when the VFX is created, called as reference photography. VFX artists are responsible for taking photos at the time of live shoot so that they can make use of it as a quick and ready reference. These photos will help them in creating various textures and creating something which is more close to reality.
3. Post production
- Scene preparation
At this step the elements of the footage are inserted in. Some of the processes that are used here are: Motion tracking, keying, rotoscoping.
- Rigging
Motion is created with the help of rigging. Here 3D models are given life and they come to use with the help of this technique. 3D models like cars, animals. etc. are systematically adjusted here in order to bring them in motion.
- Animation
Animators do the task of adding movement to the 3D models. The animation department and rigging department work closely when it comes to forming anything. If any default is found in rigging, animators are responsible to convey it to them. Animators should have all the necessary skills that are required because it is one of the most technical and complex tasks.
- Effects
At this step, all the mandatory and required effects like smoke, explosion, are added.
- Texturing
This is also considered as a very pivotal step owing to the reality it brings to the model. At this precise step, a color and a texture is added to the 3D model which help in making it recognized and accepted.
- Lightning
Adding a good lightning to the entire filmmaking strategy is obligatory. Poor lighting can bring out the film and its object as fake.
- Compositing
Last but not the least, here all the elements come together in order to produce a complete package.
Who Makes VFX Films?
- People involved in VFX films include:
- VFX producer
- Animator
- Modeler
- Texture artist
- Rigging TD
- Compositor
- Pipeline TD
- Matte Painter
- Roto artist
Career Scope of a VFX Filmmaker in India
The scope of VFX filmmaking in India is believed to be pragmatic. VFX is supposed to be an innovative area for candidates. The industry of VFX is conjectured to enhance at a much faster rate in comparison to the IT industry. Therefore, the career scope of VFX filmmaking is profitable as more and more people in Bollywood have started to trust this process. Furthermore, more and more people are getting employed in these fields, therefore the demand is rising and will also rise in the future.
Eligibility for Doing VFX Film Making Courses
Eligibility for doing VFX filmmaking courses are:
Undergraduate:
- They should have passed 10+2, not particularly from a specific stream but from a proper board.
- The person should have an aggregate of 50%. No college has a criteria that you should possess prior experience but it is always good to have some experience.
Post-graduation:
- They should possess a valid degree from a distinguished and esteemed university.
- The candidate should have a basic required percentile.
Entrance Exams Related to VFX Filmmaking Career Courses in India
- Thakur-Toonskool Advanced Animation
- Mudra Institute of Communications Entrance Exam
- DSK International Institute for Industrial
- Arena Animation Academy Entrance Exam
- Picasso Animation College Entrance Exam
Careers in VFX Filmmaking in India
Career Scope
A career in VFX filmmaking is a superb and admirable career for the candidates who want to explore the field of VFX. The VFX filmmaking industry is swiftly growing with numerous career prospects and opportunities for the creative minds.
Average Course Duration and Course Fees
A certificate course in VFX filmmaking generally takes around two months to 6 months. However, a diploma course takes two years and an undergraduate degree takes three years. Furthermore, for a post degree the time taken is around two years.
The average course fee is considered to be from a range of around INR 200000 to INR 600000. This range also depends a lot upon the college that one needs to go to the relevant facilities that are offered by the institute to the students.
VFX Filmmaking Job Profiles and its Job Roles
Some of the top and well know job profiles are:
- Web Designer
- Art Director
- 3D Artist
- Programmer
- Graphics Designer
- VFX Artist
- Texturing Artist
- Cartoon Animator
Career Path of a VFX Filmmaker
So, precisely the path is easy to contemplate. Firstly, you will get onboard as a junior level artist. At this step you will be gaining your first experience in this field. Some organizations ask for prior experience whereas some do not. However it is better to make a portfolio of all your skills and experience if you have worked before. Even if you haven’t worked before making a portfolio with all the courses you have done and the skills will help you land at a better place. Then, you will proceed ahead towards a position of mid-level or senior level. A person can also target working as a team lead or a Supervisor.
Job Roles in VFX Filmmaking
Some of the job roles are as follows:
- Compositing artist
- Motion graphic designer
- FX technical director
- Rigging Artist
- Animator render, wrangler
- Content developer
- Character animator
- Layout artist
- Storyboard artist
- Advertising art director
- Music producer
- Production designer
- Film director
Top Courses in VFX Filmmaking
- Bachelor of fine arts in Animation, Graphics and Web Design
- in Gaming and VFX
- in 3D Animation and Visual Graphics
- Diploma in Animation and VFX
- Diploma in VFX
- Certificate in VFX
- Certificate in CG Arts
Skills Required for VFX Filmmaking
- Precision
- Creativity
- Awareness
- Interpersonal skills
- Technical skills
- Management and organizational skills
- Passion
- Collaboration
Salary Scope of a Filmmaker in India
Salary for a VFX filmmaker can be 3 lakh p.a. as a starting basic salary for s fresher and can extend to 5-8 lakh p.a. when you are at a mid-level position and to 10 lakhs when you are at a senior level position. However, when we talk about a freelancer, his/her salary scope totally depends on the total amount of hours he devote to it.
But there are certain factors that directly affects your salary like:
- Level of expertise/knowledge/skills
- Prior Work experience
- The specialization you have picked
- The client’s budget and his willingness
- market value of the project
Future scope of This industry
The future scope of the VFX film industry is profitable and the need for VFX artists will be growing tremendously because of the huge development in the film and television industry. Therefore there is no doubt with respect to the growth and enhancement. Also, the high usage of the internet has also added to the mega growth of this industry.
Software Used for VFX Filmmaking
- Adobe Photoshop
- Bojou/Syntheye
- Adobe After Effects
- Autodesk Maya
- Ruine/X Frog
- The Foundry NukeX
- Apple Final Cut Pro
Why Should One Choose VFX Filmmaking as a Career Path
Each and every one who is searching for a career opportunity that provides and puts forward a challenge everyday should go for VFX filmmaking as ones career. One should go for VFX filmmaking because it provides an opportunity to work at the same time and enjoy because this industry is more close towards the entertainment field. Furthermore, this industry provides huge earning opportunities. If you have the right skills in this field then you have no restriction when it comes to earning.
