Best Visual Effects Artists

What a good VFX package includes

Check that the offer clearly states:

• Number of shots and their length.
• The effect for each shot.
• Resolution, frame rate and format.
• Assets: stock elements or custom 3D.
• Preview versions for feedback.
• Revisions per shot.
• Delivery time.

Ask for a low-resolution preview of one difficult shot first. It confirms the look and quality before the artist commits time to every shot.

Check that samples show before and after versions. A finished shot alone can hide how much was changed. Seeing the original next to the result shows the artist's real skill with tracking, edges, lighting and color matching, which are what make effects believable.

How to brief a VFX artist

1. A shot list with time codes.
2. What should change in each shot.
3. Reference images or videos of the look you want.
4. Original footage at full quality.
5. Technical details: resolution and frame rate.
6. Where it will be shown.
7. Deadline.

Lock your edit before effects work begins. If shot lengths change later, effects may need to be redone, and that time is usually charged again.

If you are still planning the shoot, ask the artist what to capture: clean background plates, tracking markers or reference photos. A few minutes on set can save hours of work later.

Discuss the look in plain language as well as with references. Words like realistic, stylized, subtle or dramatic mean different things to different people. Pairing each word with a reference clip and a time code avoids rounds of revisions caused by different expectations.

What drives the price

• number and length of shots
• difficulty: tracking, hair, motion blur
• 3D elements and simulations
• resolution, such as 4K
• number of revisions
• rush delivery

Removing a small object in a static shot costs far less than adding a 3D creature to a moving camera shot.

Red flags

• No samples similar to your effect.
• Asks for compressed footage only.
• No preview before final delivery.
• Delivers in a different frame rate or resolution.
• Uses stock elements without proper licenses.

Keep the original and finished shots organized by shot number. It makes later changes and future versions of your video much easier.

For the rest of the edit, see our video editing guide. For animated elements, read our character animation guide and 3D product animation guide.

Watch the finished shots in your full edit, at full screen and normal speed. Effects that look fine paused can flicker, slide or show edges in motion. Send notes with exact time codes so the artist can find and fix each issue quickly.

Quick pre-order checklist

• I have a shot list with time codes.
• My edit is locked.
• I will send full quality footage.
• I will review a preview first.
• Delivery matches my resolution and frame rate.