How to develop good ideas for vfx

[mjm7274]

Hello, I am new to the world of vfx and I think many people, as well as myself, could use some advice on how to come up with good ideas for vfx pieces.

Where is the best place to start when deciding on a concept? (Having a specific vfx shot in mind, or starting with a normal video concept and incorporating effects into it?)

I have many ideas but do not think they are realistic for a beginner or would have a real story to it. I would like to create good work that will help further my skills and start developing a vfx portfolio.

Thanks!

[Loud]

The reality of the industry is that usually the client is coming to you with some idea and it becomes your job to come up with how to execute it. Creative problem-solving is a big part of the job. However, if it's just for a reel, it's entirely up to you, so whichever way works for you to get something going is perfectly fine.

Like, a client's going to ask you if you can make it look like their actor is really flying an old WW2-era fighter plane, rather than them coming to you and saying "we want a shot of a guy on a green screen, and we want you to figure out how to incorporate it into our story." Sometimes directors or writers do work with VFX supervisors to figure out cool ideas for effects, or whether their crazy ideas are even possible, but that likely isn't something you'll deal with early in your career.

[faridzadeh]

I would suggest watching ultra low budget movies, and just say to yourself "Hey, I can probably do better than that". Then try to do better than that.

[mjm7274]

Thanks for the replies!

I would suggest watching ultra low budget movies, and just say to yourself "Hey, I can probably do better than that". Then try to do better than that.

I have been doing this for a while. Especially with commercials and reels. There is so much work that is broadcasted that just sucks. However, there is also a lot of good work that is very inspiring.

I have been studying vfx since i was a junior in high school; reading books, watching training videos, reading forums here. I believe I have a good understanding of vfx and know I am capable of producing better quality videos than the bad tv commercials, and shots from some of the reels on this site.

Where I have had difficulty is coming up with ideas on what to do. I have found it gets easier with practice. I started thinking about just the vfx shot and factors that i could control such as;
a location to shoot which I have full access to and could easily get more shots if needed.
Effects that would look professional, but also be manageable for someone with little experience.
And of course keeping in mind my limitations.

I guess I am looking for some other perspectives on how other more experienced artists come up with their ideas. I understand most of the time vfx artists are given the ideas.

But for those who come up with original ideas, Is there anything in particular you do?

[faridzadeh]

When I first started out, I was in a similar situation. Trying to come up with a cool shot, that I could do by myself on a limited budget (zero dollars), and still make it look good. I knew my skills where limited, and my final outcome could only go so far, but it was a self imposed challenge. I spent days thinking of a shot that I thought would be cool, and could showcase something that I thought would have been impressive with my limited Combustion knowledge. I finally came up with an idea, and got a couple of friends with a camera, and we went at it. I was a few days from comping it, when I got my first gig doing paint work at Luma Picture. Needless to say, my little experiment never got finished... I'm now tempted to go back in and actually do it.

But back to you. You need ideas. Just like any other creative process, this can take time, and finding an idea you like can be tricky. You probably have 20 ideas, but you hate every single one of them. You can walk around, and just jot down sketches, and notes and just keep on thinking. Then one day, something will "click" while your taking a bath and you'll get so excited you'll run down the streets naked screaming "EUREKA!!!"

So, in a nut shell, for me anyways, my ideas just come after I've thrown enough crap onto the wall, and found one that sticks. Usually the sticky one comes when I least expect it.

[mjm7274]

Good advice, Thanks a lot!

I hope you finish what you started

[faridzadeh]

I probably never will.

Good advice, Thanks a lot!

I hope you finish what you started

[.hel]

I probably never will.

Oh, c'mon. ^^

Stick it up in WIP so we can poke you once a year or better change it into a mini-challenge so that others, that want to learn can turn it into a shot according to your brief. - Get a feel how it is to be a client. =)


But back to the main question.

I wrote it somewhere else already. Watching things is a good way to start, but imho a easy way to just fall into a trap of recreating something (even if done better) than doing something fresh.
Draw upon other media. Images in magazines (analise what caught your eye). Take a camera and go to take some pictures in random places (place a finger on a map with your eyes closed and go there). Look at fine art and/or go to a museum/gallery. Music can help too, if you can make it "paint something" in your head.

And write ideas down. Even if they are not good at the moment, there might come a day when you look at your list and things will suddenly fit together or you'll see a possible twist to an old idea that will make it THE idea. =)

Good luck!