VFX Supervision and On-Set Services

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VFX Supervision and On-Set Services

Pre-Production VFX Supervision

Before production begins, we work with directors, producers, cinematographers, production designers, stunt teams, editorial, and department heads to identify the visual effects requirements of the show. This phase is where major cost savings happen. A properly planned VFX methodology prevents overshooting, undershooting, missing reference, broken plates, and expensive fixes later in post.

• Script breakdowns for VFX-heavy scenes
• Shot methodology planning
• VFX budget and schedule support
• Sequence risk assessment
• Creative and technical feasibility review
• Practical versus digital approach planning
• Plate, element, and clean plate requirements
• Green screen and blue screen planning
• Set extension planning
• Digital double requirements
• Creature, crowd, vehicle, and environment planning
• Camera, lens, and color pipeline requirements
• Editorial turnover planning
• Vendor package planning
• Production reference checklist creation

VFX Shooting Methodology

We establish clear shooting methodologies for every VFX sequence so production, camera, lighting, art department, stunts, special effects, and post are aligned before shooting begins. The goal is simple: capture the right material the first time.

• What needs to be captured practically and what needs to be captured as plates
• What requires tracking markers, witness cameras, or motion control
• What needs HDRI capture, lens grids, LiDAR, or photogrammetry
• What needs texture reference, actor scans, or wardrobe scans
• What requires greenscreen or bluescreen
• What requires stunt double face replacement planning
• What requires digital crowd or environmental FX support
• What requires editorial temp versions

On-Set VFX Supervision

During production, we supervise VFX shots on set to make sure each setup is captured correctly for post-production. A VFX supervisor is not only watching the monitor. The job is to protect the shot technically, creatively, and financially.

• VFX shot supervision during principal photography and second unit
• Element shoot and clean plate capture supervision
• HDRI capture, chrome ball, gray ball, and color chart reference
• Lens grid coordination and camera metadata collection
• Tracking marker placement and greenscreen supervision
• Eyeline, scale, and continuity reference
• Practical lighting reference and set measurement notes
• Witness camera coordination and reference photography
• Prop, wardrobe, and texture reference capture
• Communication with director, DP, AD team, and department heads

HDRI, Lighting, and Color Reference

For CG integration, lighting continuity is critical. We capture the reference needed to recreate set lighting accurately in post. This helps CG assets, digital doubles, set extensions, vehicles, creatures, and FX elements sit correctly inside the photographed plate.

• HDRI capture for CG lighting and bracketed exposure photography
• Chrome ball, gray ball, and color chart reference
• Lighting direction and practical source reference
• Set exposure documentation and camera color pipeline notes
• ACES and color workflow support
• Look reference documentation

Lens, Camera, and Tracking Reference

Accurate camera and lens data reduces problems in matchmove, layout, CG integration, and compositing. If lens and camera data are missing, post becomes slower, more expensive, and less predictable.

• Lens grid coordination and lens distortion reference
• Camera body, lens metadata, focal length, and focus distance notes
• Camera height, move documentation, and tracking marker planning
• Witness camera planning and matchmove reference capture
• Set measurements, scale reference placement
• LiDAR and photogrammetry coordination

Clean Plates and Element Capture

Many VFX problems are avoidable if clean plates and elements are captured correctly on set. Missing clean plates often become expensive paint and reconstruction work later.

• Clean plate planning — locked-off, moving, and tile plate capture
• Background and empty set capture
• Practical element capture — smoke, dust, debris, fire, water, atmosphere
• Reflection, shadow, foreground pass, holdout, and occlusion reference
• Practical stunt and effects reference

Green Screen and Blue Screen Supervision

Bad greenscreen work creates expensive post problems. The screen is only useful if the lighting, separation, markers, and plate strategy are handled correctly.

• Screen placement planning, size assessment, and spill control review
• Tracking marker placement and lighting consistency review
• Subject separation, eyeline, and scale reference
• Contact shadow planning, floor extension, and foreground reference
• Clean plate and alternate exposure capture

Digital Double and Actor Reference

For face replacement, de-aging, stunt work, digital doubles, and body replacement, we help define what must be captured for post. Any likeness-based work should be planned carefully, with production approvals and performer consent handled before post begins.

• Actor and wardrobe reference photography
• Hair, makeup, and facial expression reference
• Body scan and face scan planning
• Texture photography and stunt double reference
• Costume continuity, likeness, scale, and performance reference
• Turntable coordination

Set Extensions and Environment Work

The more complete the reference, the less guesswork happens later.

• Set extension and background plate capture planning
• Tile photography, photogrammetry, and LiDAR coordination
• Texture and architectural measurement reference
• Environmental lighting and atmosphere reference
• CG build and camera layout reference

Stunts, Vehicles, Creatures, and FX Sequences

High-action sequences need strong VFX planning because they often involve multiple departments and limited shoot windows. These sequences need a clear division between practical work, digital work, and hybrid solutions.

• Stunt and VFX methodology planning
• Vehicle, creature, and digital crowd planning
• FX simulation reference — water, smoke, fire, dust, debris
• Safety-aware planning and practical effects coordination
• Camera coverage and editorial beat planning
• Postvis support planning

Second Unit and Element Shoot Supervision

Second unit and element shoots often carry major VFX value. If they are not supervised correctly, they become difficult to use. Second unit VFX work must match the main unit’s technical and creative direction.

• Second unit VFX shot supervision
• Insert, pickup, plate, and element shoot supervision
• Background capture, texture, and reference shoots
• Practical FX element capture
• Scale, lighting, camera, and lens consistency review
• Editorial handoff notes

Post-Production Supervision

The supervisor’s job does not end when the shoot wraps. The real value continues through post, when creative decisions, technical execution, schedule, and budget all converge.

• Editorial turnover and VFX pull review
• Vendor package preparation and shot brief creation
• Reference package organization and client notes review
• Internal dailies, version, and shot continuity review
• Final comp review, delivery QC, and DI support

VFX Documentation and Vendor Handoff

Clean documentation keeps everyone aligned and reduces waste.

• Shot notes, shoot methodology notes, camera and lens metadata
• HDRI logs, clean plate logs, and reference photography
• Vendor briefs, turnover notes, and asset requirements
• Delivery specs, editorial pull notes, and client review summaries
• Final shot status notes

Remote and Hybrid VFX Supervision

Remote supervision works best when the methodology is established early and an on-set data capture process is clearly assigned.

• Remote VFX review and live camera feed review when available
• Remote plate, reference, and dailies review
• Digital shot methodology planning and cloud-based reference organization
• Remote vendor communication and production team coordination