What is VFX Producer?
The VFX (Visual Effects) Producer is responsible for achieving the creative aims of the Director or Producers through the use of visual effects. It is a senior role, with a high level of responsibility running the visual effects department.
What is the Job?
The VFX Producer works in pre-production, on set, and in post-production. On set, the VFX Producer is responsible for overseeing the schedule, as well as the budget of the visual effects department. This means they are responsible for ensuring that the VFX Artists and VFX Supervisor complete work in a timely and fiscally responsible manner.
In the pre-production stage, the VFX Producer will have to meet with creative and technical executives, in order to discuss the Director’s overall visual concept. This will allow them to estimate the amount of VFX work that will be required after filming, and allow them to decide how many on-set special effects will be used. This stage of production will involve adjusting the pre-determined schedule and budget to fit in with the planned work.
Once all of this has been decided, the VFX Producer will follow the project through from beginning to end to make sure all of the visual effects work is completed. Then, a post-production schedule will be put together. In post-production, visual effects will be added, and the VFX Producer will be responsible for ensuring that the VFX Supervisor and Artists stick to the determined schedule and if needed, alterations to this schedule will be made.
If you’re interested in working in the visual effects field, here’s some advice from film and TV experts:
Key Skills
- Good leadership skills
- Knowledge of VFX effects and skills
- Understanding of 3D animation
- Ability to work with a team
- Good communication skills
- Ability to stick to deadlines
- Scheduling
- Budgeting
- Flexibility and willingness to adapt
- Impeccable attention to detail and accuracy
- Organisational skills
- Calmness under pressure
Salary & Working Hours
The salary for a VFX Producer can vary hugely, from £39,000 to £118,000 depending on the scale of the production. However, the average salary is approximately £79,000.
How To Become a VFX Producer
To become a VFX Producer, you’ll need a deep understanding of 3D animation software and the invention of visual effects. Most VFX Producers come from an animation background and have already worked on several films or shows before landing a job as a VFX Producer. It’s a senior role, with the large responsibility of running an entire department, so extensive experience is essential. You will also need a powerful grasp of current filmmaking techniques, as you will be on-set with the Director and Producers, and will need to be able to think in terms of a filmmaker when designing VFX shots.
As the role involves leadership and management, you’ll also need extensive experience of leading a team. As you work on projects in your studio, opportunities may arise that see you leading a small team over one particular aspect of production. This will help to build your experience until you have enough behind you to make you the perfect candidate for a VFX Producer role. It’s all about building your expertise in any way you can.
Where Can It Take You?
The role of VFX Producer is likely to be one of the most senior jobs working in that department. Therefore, career progression in terms of roles is likely to be quite limited, as most of your career progression will have been through working your way up to this position.
However, the role is a leadership position and obviously this will provide you with essential skills for many other roles, that are perhaps outside of the VFX field. With the talent and experience you gain from working as a VFX Producer, you are likely to be able to go into many other jobs in the film industry, as long as you have the right training.
On top of this, career progression may simply be through the opportunity to work on bigger and more well-known projects – and this will come to you as your reputation grows.
Become a VFX Producer
If you are ready for the next step in your career, why not take a look at the latest VFX Producer vacancies on our jobs board? You can view our latest vacancies here.