Why does Avatar 1 seem to have more depth to it than Avatar 2?

I cant actually describe it, but for some reason there seems to be more depth, dimension and 3D'ness (if Ican say that) to Avatar 1 than to its sequel, is it because it was meant to be a 3D movie? I cant sahke this feeling that you can actually feel the world in Avatar 1, like there is depth to what you are seeing on screen, it is all so smooth and despite the second movie beating the one when it comes to vfx I cant shake that feeling away, as if 1 had more dimension to what was shown than the second one.

Is there any explanation to that? Technical terms for it? I dont think I managed to explain myself or convey what I wanted to say but Ithink you can get an idea of it.

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

Which 360 Camera should I get?

Thinking of buying either an X5 or a DJI Osmo 360, for the purpose of making HDRI's.

The X5 has AEB now, though I suspect you would get better results and controllability by setting all the settings yourself and manually taking the photos. The functionality of replaceable lenses doesn't matter to me much either.

Thoughts? Does anyone have experience with either of them?

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

Laptop

Hello I am kinda beginner to nuke. At first I didn't have plan to use nuke so I bought Macbook air M2 with ram 16 but it cannnot handle . Now I have to make VFX project for my thesis project. Which laptop is good to handle 3d apps and nuke?

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

Avatar 3 - Highly impressive VFX Breakdown by Wētā FX
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANmawvbOpCY

https://redd.it/1pze8xq
@vfxbackup

Which VFX Studio did they help Intralink and John Callas to Produce the CG Effects for the iconic 1993 TriStar Pictures Intro? (Fog, Text, Light Beam, and the Wings)
https://redd.it/1pzgq41
@vfxbackup

Disney's embarrassing AI-generated Star Wars video of scrambled-up animals was the opening salvo in a year full of AI humiliation
https://www.pcgamer.com/software/ai/disneys-embarrassing-ai-generated-star-wars-video-of-scrambled-up-animals-was-the-opening-salvo-in-a-year-full-of-ai-humiliation/

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

Is it possible for me to do vfx coming from a physics degree?

Hi, so this is basically exactly what the noscript says. I'm 19 and a second year physics undergrad. I really love physics, but I've realised this year that I have pretty much no creative outlet at the minute, and everyone on my course wants to go into IT, engineering or research.

I want to find something that is relevant to my physics background but that I still find fun and engaging rather than just doing research papers. Is vfx a good solution to this? I've always been super fascinated with how films are made (I'm kinda a nerd who learns everything they can about how certain shots are done and how problems were solved in production of basically every movie I've ever seen).

I'm just a bit worried that since I'm not studying film, animation or game design (etc.) that maybe I don't have the right skills for this. I'm starting myself out on Blender just to try it out and see what's up. Any advice would be super appreciated!!

Thanks :)

https://redd.it/1pzon37
@vfxbackup

Hiring $150 likely simple gig: Looking for someone to do a deepfake (or AI) face (or head) swap on three shots from a Mission Impossible clip for a goofy company video

Probably takes someone 30 minutes to do this but I don't know AI programs very well, which ones do what and all that. I tried with SwapFace but my actor's face includes his long-ish hair (ear length and curly) vs Tom Cruise's buzz cut from the first movie. Need the long hair in the swap, it's not just the face. Also in one shot Tom is upside down so the hair should be dangling, but if that's too complex we can skip that part. But must have the longer hair.

All three shots total 28 seconds, and I have about three minutes of footage of my actor. It's for a goofy company video at an awards show, it's not for anything public and doesn't have to win the Oscar for Best Visual Effects. SNL-sketch-quality is my barometer of quality.

The one where he's facing the side might be impossible, idk.

In this google drive folder is the face of the guy and stills from the three shots, to give you an idea of the hair challenge

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/15RxVdq775ealcBGUqTUZ938kXBnna3S1?usp=sharing

Anyone want to take a stab at this? $150 flat rate

https://redd.it/1pzp587
@vfxbackup

VFX Supervisor Showreel

Hey peeps,

Seems like a simple question but I haven’t found a solid answer anywhere. What would you expect to see on a Sups reel? I’ve been a VFX Sup for 7 years in film / TV and now making a move. I’ve been asked for a reel, is anything I supervised ok to put on it? Feels weird as some shots I didn’t touch in the traditional way. I also don’t have access to breakdowns so would be using final shots.

Thanks!

https://redd.it/1pzwzu9
@vfxbackup

What type of effects is she using in her video?
https://youtube.com/shorts/QxVoLL5A2Ak?si=Kxn_NO6aCF-RRwA_

https://redd.it/1q02ov6
@vfxbackup

CADABRA Get Early Access to this useful tool
https://redd.it/1q068nq
@vfxbackup

How Walt Disney Once Tried to Own “Wonderland”
https://open.substack.com/pub/stephzd/p/how-walt-disney-once-tried-to-own?utm_source=direct&utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web

https://redd.it/1q09xfp
@vfxbackup

VFX Compositing Showreel | 2025 | InfiniteVFX
https://youtube.com/watch?v=CW_bKJjbW54&si=8HEJAOanfz1ZC9EG

https://redd.it/1q0aoeb
@vfxbackup

How to recreate the snow effect from Deadpool "Bye Bye" clip using Nuke and Houdini?

I'm trying to recreate the snow effect from Deadpool's "Bye Bye" clip. I'm working with Nuke and Houdini and wondering what the best approach is. Should this kind of snow be done mainly in Houdini (particles, motion blur, depth) and then composited in Nuke, or can a similar result be achieved directly in Nuke using Z-depth and noise/particle setups? Any simple workflow advice would be appreciated.

https://redd.it/1q0drgo
@vfxbackup

Does it make sense for an aspiring compositor to take a TA position as a foot in the door, and why?

I used to work in VFX production, found my passion for compositing there, and have spent the last year learning Nuke. Before I found VFX, I worked as a traditional painter/illustrator. I feel that I now have a fair amount of skills to offer as a junior artist, but knowing how competitive things are right now, I would definitely work as a technical assistant first, happy to even take an internship position. I’ve seen some postings for this position recently- does this makes sense to go for as a foot in the door for an aspiring compositor or anyone wanting to get into VFX as an artist? Or will it make my path look confusing on a resume? thanks!

https://redd.it/1q0gg6z
@vfxbackup

How can I get started making art like this?

Absolutely love this creator on YouTube. Would love to make my own psychedelic-style art, but honestly, I'm not sure where to start. Really have no experience in modeling/VFX. Any insight would be greatly appreciated!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ph4szaVTWSY

https://redd.it/1q0kl6a
@vfxbackup

How would you do realistic auto exposure?

I use Maya, Redshift and Nuke.

First of all, I’m not sure if it’s better to do it in my 3D render or in comp. Second, is there a way to enable some kind of auto exposure setting, or will it always have to be manually keyframed?

What I need specifically for my shot, is when the camera turns to a massive bright window, the frame should get overexposed for a couple seconds. Again though, I want this to feel completely natural and realistic, not key framed. What’s the preferred way to do this?

https://redd.it/1q0mexq
@vfxbackup

Frames of 2025: A Retrospective (USA)

Hello,

I have been a long time lurker and decided it was finally time to be a Reddit participant to kick off the upcoming new year. I have been a VFX artist since 2010 and my tolerance for the machinations of this industry has reached... critical levels, I guess. Unbeknownst to a lot of my colleagues, I have spent most of my life being incredibly sad for reasons I have just started to discover through therapy. I still refuse to mention anything I struggle with to my supes, HR (cuz fuck 'em), and managers. I feel like people don't really care and that is okay.

I am fortunate enough to have been mostly employed through these past several years. I try my best to remind myself of that. I understand a lot of people haven't been so lucky. I guess something I have learned from this industry and growing older is that it doesn't hurt to be more empathetic. I believe we all could be a bit kinder (myself included). The discourse over AI VFX and people in or out of the industry having very strong opinions about "crossing the picket line" (as if it existed in the first place) has got me feeling super sad. Yeah, I am talking about the Meta job. I am ambivalent about the morals of taking the job. I understand people's fears about "training our replacement." However, bills have to get paid too.

This past year, I have been trying to get into various trade unions. I thought I would give it a go because I kept reading about the trades needing more people and that is true! Unions do need apprentices. You absolutely do not need experience. However, here is the thing... it really depends on the area. HCOL cities have big demand, but also a huge pool of potential apprentices and most of the people these unions will accept are people with previous construction experience (lol). For example, my local accepted around 600+ new apprentices this year and over 80% of them had some sort of construction background. This has been my experience though and I still encourage people to apply, especially if you can survive the first few years on a reduced wage.

Before this post gets too long: I am done with VFX. I am out. I have become a laborer for commercial buildings. Office Space has aged like fine wine because like Seinfeld... it has become incredibly relatable as I have become older, holy shit. I almost spit my drink out when I remembered Peter ALSO becomes a laborer, finally at peace. What was it again? Something something... time is a flat circle... haha.

In conclusion, I am much happier than I was starting out this year. Constantly experiencing burnout after shortish gigs was a big wake up call. For anyone who does care, getting on the right meds has made dramatic changes for me (in a good way). I have got to travel a lot because of this job and it has been one of the few positive experiences for me in VFX. I met the only girl I've ever loved abroad (it didn't work out but I wish her the best). I also got to meet some really rad people. I am also sorry to anyone I have been very judgmental with (even if it is absolutely true you do too much ass kissing during dailies). I hope only the best for y'all. Rock on peoples and happy new year :)

https://redd.it/1q0r756
@vfxbackup

It seems that the quality of visual effects and CGI in Stranger Things Season 5 have changed compared to previous seasons.

There are criticisms in the latest season with regards to the visual effects especially the part where Max is running towards the light. I have also the same criticism as well in the Will Byers flashback in the first episode where he is being chased by Demogorgons. I also just learned that there is a change of visual effects supervisors in the latest season (Betsy Paterson replaced Michael Maher who have done the previous seasons). And based on the VFX Breakdowns and Art of VFX website, Weta FX and ILM (I think that these are their first time working in the series) are doing most of the heavy lifting than companies like Rodeo FX and Scanline VFX that already have previous experiences in the series. Additionally, it seemed like they are pretty much reliant on blue screens based on their BTS videos compared to the previous seasons.

https://redd.it/1q0wlre
@vfxbackup

Best VFX 2025??

Ok folks. Do your worst. Let the opinions fly!

https://redd.it/1q0wrtu
@vfxbackup

My 2025 VFX and Animation Reel!
https://youtu.be/JfyEbRi3fyU?si=4uVleDG_FMU4eVVt

https://redd.it/1q0yw5n
@vfxbackup