On October 25, Unit Production Managers and ADs gathered online for the event, VFX 101 for UPMs: Managing the Invisible Art. Hosted by the Eastern AD/UPM Council’s UPM Committee, the invitation-only event served as an opportunity for the attendees to learn about the VFX essentials and how UPMs can approach their role in planning, budgeting, and beyond.
Following a welcome from Committee Co-Chair Lynn Appelle, Director/VFX Supervisor Jake Braver (The Fantastic Four: First Steps, The Stand) and Post-Production Supervisor Catherine Farrell (Little Women, In the Blink of an Eye) shared their expertise about the VFX world during an enlightening conversation moderated by UPM Committee member Michael Kriaris.
Braver and Farrell covered topics including: an overview of the current technology and VFX terminology; things to be considered during scheduling and budgeting; how VFX and post-production costs relate to state tax incentives; and the pros and cons of using different technologies in prep, shoot, and post.
For example, while noting that “whatever camera the Director and DP want to use is the right one,” Braver explained some of the helpful considerations that VFX Supervisors can share as those decisions are being made. Braver also touched on how safety concerns can factor into VFX decisions, how existing VFX assets can be licensed, and how AI is now being incorporated into post-production.
Farrell provided insight into the varying considerations for lower budget productions, sharing some of the hidden costs that can result from decisions to use different technologies, and how “data wranglers” are employed as part of the project’s crew. Farrell also detailed how post-production tax credits factor into vendor decisions.
Throughout the discussion and in a segment at the end of the event, panelists fielded questions submitted by the virtual attendees.
About the Committee
The Eastern AD/UPM Council UPM Committee is co-chaired by Lynn Appelle, Leslie Gyson and Patricia Doherty Hess. The Committee members are Adam Brightman, David Chambers, Frank Covino, Parry Creedon, Joe Guest, Jennifer Haire, Daniel Hank, Jennifer Jimenez, Michael Kriaris, Rosemary Lombard, Stephen Lippross, Kathleen McGill, Carla Raij, Kelsi Russell, Carlos Vazquez, Thomas Whelan, Canella Williams-Larrabee, and Dana Zolli.
