VFX producer vs VFX production manager vs VFX strategy consultant — what's the difference?
Imagine Lord of the Rings without Gollum, Life of Pi without the animals, Mary Poppins with no dancing penguins, and just about every action film you’ve ever seen without big explosions and white-knuckle car chases.
Visual effects are a make-or-break element to any production, from advertising to television and the world’s biggest hit films. That’s why it’s so important to get it right.
Since VFX are so important to a production, the VFX team needs to operate like clockwork. There are budgets to work within, deadlines to meet, and expectations to manage. On top of that, the team also needs to work well together to deliver the best results.
In this article, we’ll explain the difference between some of the key members of any VFX team. A VFX producer, a VFX production manager, and a VFX strategy consultant might sound like similar titles, but they each play a unique and essential role.
What is a VFX producer?
A VFX producer is heavily involved with all the business elements of visual effects production from start to finish.
But this is as much a leadership and management role as it is a practical, let’s-get-it-done line of work. Great communication skills and an ability to remain calm under pressure are a must for VFX producers.
VFX producer responsibilities: Pre-production
Before production even begins, a VFX producer’s role is to create and present the bid for a project. During the bid, the VFX producer will persuade the production company to hire them for the job — they’ll be the representative, for good or bad!
They’ll show the studio’s past work, showcasing what they can produce, when they can produce it, and how much it will cost. They’ll also be working with the VFX Supervisor to provide in-depth breakdowns of specific shots in the bid and how much they’ll cost.
Once the job has been secured, it’s the VFX producer’s job to put together the team that will work on the project. This includes both VFX artists — the people who will create the visuals — as well as other technical staff.
The VFX producer also needs to be a production workflow obsessive. They’ll be the one who sets deadlines and learns from past mistakes.
VFX producer responsibilities: During production
Balancing the books is a key responsibility for VFX producers — they have to make sure their part of the production doesn’t exceed its budget. That means they have to know where and how to allocate resources in order to produce the best visuals.
When a director wants visual effects that aren’t able to be delivered within the production’s budget, it’s the VFX producer’s job to navigate that. The producer will either have to negotiate a bigger budget or liaise with the production’s director and producers to ensure that everyone is happy with the final result.
While the project is in production, the VFX producer will work alongside the live-action production crew. While the VFX crew is hard at work creating the visuals, the VFX producer will be providing the production company with updates.
VFX producer responsibilities: Post-production
When post-production kicks off, the VFX producer turns their attention to the project’s editor. With the eagle-eyed focus a great VFX producer will have in spades, they’ll be responsible for getting the visual effects just right.
What is a VFX production manager?
A VFX production manager works directly under the VFX producer. Once the VFX producer has made all the decisions and set all the goals, it’s the VFX production manager’s job to make it happen.
They work closely with the VFX producer to come up with a detailed timeline of what needs to happen and when. And it’s their job to make sure the work is being done on time and on budget on a day-to-day basis.
A VFX production manager is more likely to be employed full-time rather than freelance or contract-based. This means they’ll usually be working either for the production studio or for the VFX company. As a core and consistent part of the VFX team, the production manager may also be tasked with hiring the VFX artists and negotiating contracts.
The VFX production manager’s role also involves liaising with VFX artists and technical staff in order to make sure the workflow is on target from start to finish.
What skills are required to be a VFX production manager?
A good VFX production manager needs to have impeccable communication skills, just like their boss the VFX producer. They need to be able to keep the producer up to speed on everything and give updates and feedback to the artists themselves.
Of course, keeping everything running smoothly and on time means that a production manager must be great at organization. It’s all about planning, prioritizing, and problem-solving — sometimes all at once!
Because a VFX production manager is so involved with the artists and staff every day, their ability to lead a team and motivate the troops will be called upon regularly. They set the tone for the working environment and, as such, are equally as responsible as the producer for the end result.
What is a VFX strategy consultant?
Of the job roles we’ve covered so far in this guide, a VFX strategy consultant is the one fewest people will have heard of. And yet, a VFX strategy consultant can have a huge impact on the success and smooth-running of any production.
They do everything a producer and a production manager do — and more! From bidding and strategizing to morale issues and crisis management, a VFX strategy consultant brings a wealth of prior experience to each of their contracts.
As the name eludes to, a VFX strategy consultant can be brought in to consult on issues and opportunities regarding the VFX team.
A VFX strategy consultant can add value from start to finish
In pre-production, a strategy consultant will help a VFX studio create a bid so exciting that the production will have no choice but to hire them. They’ll help create a schedule that keeps everyone happy and working to the best of their ability.
With a ton of experience working on projects of all sizes and budgets, a VFX strategy consultant will be able to set realistic stretch goals. Then, they’ll make sure the resources are allocated in a way that guarantees the best results within that budget.
If a VFX strategy consultant is on board from the beginning, you can rest assured that the project will run smoothly. It’s their job to spot any problem areas before they cause an impact! They’ll have strategies in place to make sure everyone is working well and morale is high. After all, a team that works well together will create a quality finished output.
On the other hand, if a project is already in production and it’s starting to unravel, a VFX strategy consultant will know just what to do. When a project is overdue, over budget, and just not delivering, a VFX strategy consultant can step in and set things straight. They’ll isolate issues, remove roadblocks, and bring back efficient, productive working. Then, they’ll put guidelines and operations in place to keep things running smoothly and avoid future breakdowns. Everybody wins!
At Cobalt Blue, we’re passionate about helping VFX production teams work to the best of their ability. With over a decade of international experience on high-profile productions like Fast and Furious, James Bond, and The Hunger Games, we have the skills and proven experience to ensure your team delivers on scope — and is still good friends by the end of it!
If you’re a VFX company looking to step up, then get in contact with us today.
