New 'Avatar: Fire and Ash' mag is 142 pages of VFX info on the film

Lots of behind the scenes pics inside, too.


PRINT: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GLQB5TLR

DIGITAL: https://www.patreon.com/posts/issue-52-avatar-149980624

SUBSCRIBE: https://www.patreon.com/c/beforesandafters/membership

https://preview.redd.it/hi5f3kepc0ig1.jpg?width=1280&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f413d900b0199eac8d4f89161741477a334aa336




https://redd.it/1qy5a8i
@vfxbackup

I got hired by a production agency for a project entirely relient on AI. I feel very conflicted.

So as the title says, the company I got hired for this project is entirely using AI for this gig.

Apparently their client is full on aboard the AI Hype train. And so is the boss of this agency.

A bunch of times I'd go and propose a solution for something by building it from the ground up and specifically catering to their clients' brief.

The answer is always a categorical "No." "Put the brief in Chatgpt, ask it to make a prompt for Veo, and plug that into Veo." It's taking me hours to get footage that I feel is usable and even then it's so shit I'm embarassed to even show it.

I offered to built up a scene in blender, and composite it on after effects, super simple scene just needed like 10 mins to find the right assets. Boss walks in, throws shade at me and just says, "just use the AI we paid for, that's much better and faster. Here we work by turnover"

I already spent more time on prompting than I do on building scenes and I don't understand how that's more appealing than something built bottom up.

And that's without the whole ethical dilemma that I'm using AI, and the environmental impact that I'm not part of.

I'm very conflicted by this job, and I'm not sure what I should do. If I just call it out, or say fuck it and just get the payday (I sure do need the money rn) or what..

But I needed to share this with someone..



Edit: oh god. I forgot. We're using an AI upscaler to scale the 1080p output from Veo to be able to use on a huge 7.5k res screen

https://redd.it/1qye8fi
@vfxbackup

Avengers doomday cyclops laser effect

https://redd.it/1qyed5p
@vfxbackup

Digital Domain closing Montreal studio

On Friday evening Digital Domain announced due to Quebec government's decision to reduce the competitive tax credit for film industry productions, they will be closing the Montreal studio effective June 2026.

https://redd.it/1qywqz2
@vfxbackup

Hiring for VFX work (Product Vis / Animation)

Hello dear friends! I am currently hiring for a VFX position for my business. I am looking for basic product modeling, and occasional VFX & animation work for 30s-1min long videos (maybe shorter, nothing here is set in stone).

Here is a breakdown AI helped me create, since I am new to hiring in this industry. My goal is to be fair with pricing, and I realize there are "levels to this shit" as they say, and the same idea may cost more for a higher quality output. My logic comes more from what I can afford rather than my knowledge of standard costs, so please bear with me and educate myself (and others who may be lurking) if you notice unrealistic expectations! I see a lot of people in this sub looking for work, I hope you know there are tons of people who are too uncomfortable to reach out on this platform who need work! Hopefully this post helps us all as a community.

Tier 1 - Product Models + Promotional Animation (\~$500-2k/project)

Clean, professional 3D models of handheld consumer products (think electronics like toothbrush/razor - nothing crazy complex). Models need to be render-ready with realistic materials. Also need polished product animations - spinning shots, smooth camera moves, very basic outputs to be use as gifs/intros etc.

Tier 2 - Full VFX / Concept Videos (\~$2-4k/project, 15-60 seconds)

More creative, higher-production work. Abstract environments, color effects, dynamic motion, smoke/liquid, storytelling. These would be for bigger campaigns where we want something that really stands out. Product releases, major milestones, new region entry, etc.

I will need Tier 1 services about every 2-3 months. Tier 2 will be less frequent at about every 4-6 months). The pricing I suggested is on a "per project" basis.

About you:

\- Must speak English (or Russian as I can speak somewhat fluently)

\- Portfolio showing product visualization / animation work mentioned above

\- Comfortable working from reference images and basic specs

\- Be able to communicate on a daily/weekly basis and meet deadlines

\- Bonus if you can handle both modeling and animation

About me:

\- I pay on time, I don't short on agreed sums of payment, I am always reachable, and I am an understanding person who will work with you as a team member. I am looking to build a LONG TERM relationship, this is preferable to "gig style" for me.

To apply:

\- DM me with your portfolio/reel and rough rates. Let me know if you’re stronger on the modeling side, animation side, or both.

\- Happy to start with a small paid test project to see if we’re a good fit.

\- Reply in thread with any questions and I will get back as soon as possible!

https://redd.it/1qyl9en
@vfxbackup

What do you think?

https://redd.it/1qyx3y3
@vfxbackup

Filmora’s chroma key was easier than expected

​

Used chroma key for a talking-head video. Adjusting tolerance and edges was enough. No plugins needed.

https://redd.it/1qyh99u
@vfxbackup

Making Weta’s Animatomy from scratch. 6 degrees of freedom jaw rig.

https://redd.it/1qzf88x
@vfxbackup

Image templates worked well for a last-minute idea

Needed something quick for Valentine’s Day. Image templates came in handy. Swapped photos, adjusted text.

Looked polished enough. No design stress. Useful in a pinch.

https://redd.it/1qzhh42
@vfxbackup

We are cooked, the release of a new technology.

https://redd.it/1qzniuj
@vfxbackup

A Vtuber I follow has a dedicated setup to achieve a "degradated tape" effect
https://redd.it/1qzztva
@vfxbackup

THE MANDALORIAN AND GROGU | Super Bowl Trailer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZI-RdQeWgM&t=25s

https://redd.it/1r05jmx
@vfxbackup

You all said I couldn’t do it. Well, here it is: Weta’s Animatomy from scratch.

https://redd.it/1r0furl
@vfxbackup

Considering a MS in Computer Science after a BFA in Visual Effects

I'm wondering if I should get a Masters in Computer Science focusing on Graphics and Augmented Reality or AI and Machine Learning, or even get a Masters at all. I am graduating with a BFA in Visual Effects soon and I know I just need to keep adding great work to my demo reel, but also the industry is extremely rough right now. Should I take the time to get the Computer Science degree so I am more likely to be hired in other fields, not just VFX, or should I throw myself into my work and keep trying to get a job in the industry? Thanks!

https://redd.it/1r0j0wc
@vfxbackup

Is there a way to flip the logo on this football?

https://reddit.com/link/1r4pkup/video/lvkca98tohjg1/player

I'm not sure if this belongs in this sub or not.

We need the logo on this football flipped around. Our client doesn't like that she holds it upside down, but this is the only good take we have and we can no longer reshoot it.

I have tried everything I can think of. I tried masking it and rotating it and distorting it with the ball's movement but that looked pretty bad. I tried overlaying a jpg of that same logo over that one and doing the same thing, but my problem is distorting the logo and keyframing with the ball's movement is just impossible and looks bad.

I even resorted to trying to have AI fix it, but the best I got was turning it into a basketball. About right.

I am not a VFX pro. Is there an easy approach to pulling this off?

https://redd.it/1r4pkup
@vfxbackup

SAG-AFTRA Slams 'Blatant Infringement' in Seedance AI Videos
https://variety.com/2026/film/news/sag-aftra-seedance-ai-infringement-tom-cruise-brad-pitt-fight-1236662695/

https://redd.it/1r41vky
@vfxbackup

Supervisor-as-a-service, is it a thing?

Greetings!

This topic came up in a pub with some friends in the VFX/CG field, and I thought I run it by with a bigger audience;)

I'm a supervisor working on high-end animation/VFX productions. The more connections I have in this field, the more I get requests from people online to have a look at their demo reels, give feedback on their assets/scenes/effects, or friends at different companies calling me for advice.

I am specialized in light/render/comp, but I'm connected with some amazingly talented sups/leads in effects/rigging/grooming, etc.

I was wondering if there could be a market for something like a "Supervisor-as-a-Service" or "Feedback-as-a-Service"?


The target audience could be:
\- Students working on their final projects.
\- Indie studios/filmmakers with limited access/ budget for "expensive" high-end talent.
\- People who are stuck in their journey but don't want a course, rather personalized advice.
\- Businesses that might be interested in VFX but have no connections in the field. (Finding the right approach for projects that might involve AR/VR, previs events, animations for pitches, etc.)
\- \[I'm sorry, this is kinda rage-bait:)...\] Ai bros willing to improve. We could point out issues that would get flagged during dailies.

The value provided:
\- A few hundred years of collective experience in this field.
\- You don't have to post your questions online. (IP protection with NDAs)

This shouldn't be a full-time mentorship, but rather a one-time consulting engagement or a few hours per week to reach a pre-defined goal.


All opinions are welcome!

https://redd.it/1r4zari
@vfxbackup

Happy Valentines Day Everyone!
https://redd.it/1r52cdb
@vfxbackup

DIY Helmet or Rokoko Face cam.

I'm working on a DIY helmet like I said. Now what that entails is a tactical helmet, an alloy extension arm, a phone mount, and a Samsung 24. I don't know which app or program to use for it...but I know I want the facial motion capturing for Unreal Engine, Blender, Maya, and so much more.

What app for the phone would you recommend? I was also wondering, would it be better for me to just get the Rokoko Webcam instead? That way I don't have to build a DIY helmet, but the bad thing I've heard is that Rokoko does all subscription-based, and I don't want to pay any stinking subscription unless, since it has a USB-C, I can use it anywhere? I don't know; that's basically all my questions.

I've pondered about getting a full motion capture suit, but I decided I'll use one of those helmets and get Sony mocopi for the body.

https://redd.it/1r520dk
@vfxbackup

Remove reflections

https://redd.it/1r4ntm9
@vfxbackup

AI vendor policy & the "audit trail" problem

The Big Streamers updated vendor guidelines require studios to provide "technical audit trails" for AI-assisted final deliverables. Specifically proving "human-in-the-loop" authorship.

I'm curious how people are actually implementing this. Are you:

1. Manual logging (spreadsheets, email chains, ShotGrid notes)
2. Custom pipeline tools (scripts, hooks, metadata tagging)
3. Waiting for vendors to provide audit features
4. Not tracking it yet / hoping it goes away

I'm doing a 20-person research study (mix of SEA + US studios) to map out what's working. If you've dealt with this compliance requirement—or you're building internal tools for it—I'd love to pick your brain (30 min, compensated with research access).

Screener here: https://tally.so/r/VL5oov

Not looking for NDAs or proprietary pipeline details—just trying to understand the general approaches people are taking.

Anyone here already running into this with streaming clients?

https://redd.it/1r3t5ee
@vfxbackup