Visual Effects on the Film Fest Red Carpet

Visual effects often stay out of the spotlight at Film Fest each year, but if you look hard enough, you can see it is everywhere. On Tuesday, October 29th, myself (social editor, Gracie Szymanski) and editor-in-chief, Kat Nitti, had the opportunity to interview guests at the SCAD Film Fest red carpet. Guests from multiple events walked that night, including visual effects supervisor Danielle Immerman from “Variety’s 10 Artisans to Watch” Panel and director of “Better Man” Michael Gracey. As a VFX major, I had to ask these guests about their experiences working with VFX and in the industry. 

First, we had conversations with industry professionals that were not VFX artists or supervisors and got to hear their (somewhat) outside perspective of working with VFX. We spoke with Gracey on his experiences working on a film with so much VFX. “Better Man” focuses on the British pop star Robbie Williams, yet makes the creative decision to portray Williams as a chimpanzee. This idea required lots of motion capture technology and working closely with VFX artists at Weta Fx to accomplish the vision. When asked about his progress he noted that he “used a LOT of previs” in the process. He spoke about how this was the best way to show the artists and collaborators what was in his mind. Typically, when directing it’s easier for a director to simply verbalize their vision, but with VFX, that is not the case. Gracey further went on to say that directing a film with this much VFX is like “making two films, an animated one and a live action one.” I continued on to ask Gracey about what that post production process looked like for him and the VFX artists. Gracey exclaimed that the movie was “2 years in post” and that the team he worked with at Weta Fx was very passionate. He said that he worked closely with the VFX artists and was actually in the studio with them till late hours working on this passion project. Overall, Gracey seemed so thrilled to have been able to see the artists do their work and bring his vision all the way from previs to a beautiful picture in front of him.

Next, we talked with the cinematographer of the upcoming movie “Wicked”, Alice Brooks. This movie is heavy with whimsical imagery and a world created entirely from the imagination, requiring lots of beautiful props as well as visual effects to help make scenes a reality. When asked about the VFX of the movie, Brooks noted that a large majority of the shots actually had some sort of set extension to start with on set. She noted that during her work and for the cast members as well, it was nice to have those sets built, but she also spoke about how “there are places for both [VFX and practical sets and effects].” Depending on what is needed for a shot is what determines whether practical or VFX is better. She talked about her admiration for VFX as it can “make dreams a reality”, and spoke about how she was constantly talking with the VFX supervisor on set. Brooks even gushed more saying she “loves the magic that VFX can create.” This is especially encouraging to hear as a VFX student that other branches of the film industry are appreciative of the work being done by VFX artists when it goes unnoticed so often. Both of these conversations with these artists reminded me of how magical VFX can be and look, especially for those that don’t work directly with it.

Lastly, but certainly not least, we were able to talk with someone not on the outskirts of the VFX industry but rather right in the middle: a VFX supervisor from Weta FX, Danielle Immerman, about her experiences working in VFX and her advice. This was a big fan girl moment for me, as Immerman is a woman I can look up to in my industry,and a supervisor working at my dream company. I asked her if she had any advice on how to break into this industry right now as a student. She advised to find a “junior or intern job!” She went on to say how she knows that is easier than it sounds, but encourages just applying to anywhere and everywhere, even if you do not think you will get it. And “any opportunity you get, take it.” She elaborated that relocating or going to an unknown company may be scary, but it can push you into the industry quickly and you never know where it could lead you. I then asked Immerman what her experiences have been like working as a woman in the industry. She said the industry is “very male dominated but also very accepting of females.” But no matter what, “if you’re good, they’ll want you on the film.” Immerman went on to ask both Kat and I what our focus is and how the visual effects program works here at SCAD. After we exchanged a joke or two, she ended with then ended with a quick “Go girls!” that I will be thinking about for the rest of my life. 

It is incredibly inspiring to get to hear from already successful individuals about their experience with VFX, whether it be from a far or from first hand experience. It motivates me so much to keep going and to strive to be in their position one day on the other side of the red carpet. My hope is that SCAD continues to include more VFX events or panels at future Film Fests. I am looking forward to what the future holds for us VFX students about to enter the industry.