What are the best ways to communicate your VFX ideas to a director or producer?

2 Create concept art and sketches

Another way to communicate your VFX ideas is to create concept art and sketches. Concept art and sketches are original drawings or paintings that depict the design, layout, or composition of a VFX element, such as a character, creature, environment, or prop. Concept art and sketches can help you to explore different options, refine your ideas, and get feedback from the director or producer. You can also use concept art and sketches to demonstrate how the VFX element will interact with the live-action footage, the lighting, and the camera angles.

3 Make animatics and previs

A more advanced way to communicate your VFX ideas is to make animatics and previs. Animatics and previs are rough animations that show the timing, motion, and placement of the VFX elements in relation to the live-action footage. Animatics and previs can help you to test your ideas, plan your shots, and estimate your costs and schedule. You can also use animatics and previs to show the director or producer how the VFX elements will affect the editing, pacing, and continuity of the film.

4 Use mockups and prototypes

Another way to communicate your VFX ideas is to use mockups and prototypes. Mockups and prototypes are simple or incomplete versions of the VFX elements that give a general idea of how they will look or work. Mockups and prototypes can help you to check your technical feasibility, solve your problems, and improve your quality. You can also use mockups and prototypes to show the director or producer how the VFX elements will integrate with the live-action footage, the sound, and the music.

5 Present your work and feedback

The final way to communicate your VFX ideas is to present your work and feedback. Presenting your work and feedback is the process of showing the director or producer your progress, results, or challenges, and asking for their approval, suggestions, or changes. Presenting your work and feedback can help you to align your goals, expectations, and standards, and to avoid misunderstandings, delays, or conflicts. You can also use presenting your work and feedback to show the director or producer how the VFX elements will enhance the story, mood, and realism of the film.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?