Yes! You Can Use VFX for Your Short Film, Feature or Digital Project No Matter the Budget - Learn How!

Understanding Visual Effects For Low Budget Projects
Hosted by Christopher M. Anthony

$49

On Demand Webinar - Available for immediate viewing and unlimited access.

Start Learning

Please make sure you use the same email address as the one you use to sign in to Stage 32, otherwise you won't have access to your webinar.
apply Your coupon will be applied after you agree to terms below.

- or -

$49.00
TOTAL PRICE:
Overlay Icon

Stage 32 Next Level Education has a 97% user satisfaction rate.

Christopher M. Anthony

Webinar hosted by: Christopher M. Anthony

Senior Technical Director at Kayfabe Films Ltd. (Oscar & BAFTA award winner)

Christopher M. Anthony is a BAFTA member and founder of Kayfabe Films Ltd. With over a decade of visual effects experience, Chris has worked on over 2 dozen films including the Harry Potter franchise, the X-Men franchise, Indiana Jones, Guardians of the Galaxy, Fantastic Four, Kingsman 2: The Golden Circle and much, much more. Chris's work on Disney's The Jungle Book, through the Moving Picture Company won both an Oscar and a BAFTA. Kayfabe Films has worked closely with many of the leading production houses, post-production houses and film crews and actors in England and the United States. Chris is an alum of both Lucas Film and The Jim Henson Company. Full Bio »

Webinar Summary

Learn directly from an Oscar & BAFTA winner exclusively on Stage 32.

Think VFX is only for films or digital projects with high budgets? Think again. In fact, understanding how VFX can be worked into your project can help you save costs before you ever step on set. Understanding (and removing your fear of) VFX ahead of time can actually help you trim some shooting days, save money and give you more opportunity to make your film shine and stand out from the crowd.

Independent filmmaking and the creation of quality digital content calls for being creative with your budget. But for most producers and filmmakers, the idea of adding VFX to their projects seems like a budget breaker. The reality is quite the opposite. Not only can VFX be quite affordable, but also be a game changer for your project. Accounting for VFX in pre-production may also allow for less "fix it in post" issues which, in turn, will actually help you save money and stay on schedule!

Christopher M. Anthony is an Oscar and BAFTA winner and the Senior Director of Kayfabe Films. He is also one of the most sought after VFX masters in the business. Just some of the films Christopher has worked on include Guardians of the Galaxy, the X-Men franchise, Harry Potter, and The Jungle Book. But don't let those big budget films fool you. Christopher cut his teeth on smaller independent shorts, features and digital projects. He gets hired because he knows how to save money and bring projects in under budget. And now, exclusively for Stage 32, Christopher is going to teach you all his tricks of the trade.

Chris is going to lead you through the entire VFX process in an easy to understand format. Using 19 carefully chosen VFX clips and examples, Chris will distill VFX down to the nuts and bolts. You will easily see how VFX can work for you no matter what format or budget you're working with.

 

"Chris is quite the gent and a caring one at that. You can see how much time and effort he put into this webinar. The examples were priceless and opened my mind to an entirely new world that, to be honest, I thought was unattainable for me as a filmmaker."

- Antonio C.

 


What You'll Learn

  • Why Would You Want Visual Effects In Our Low Budget Films?
  • What Is The Difference Between a Visual Effect and a Special Effect In Camera vs. Post? 
  • Can A Special Effect Or Production Design Solve My Problem? 
  • What Does Visual Effects Mean In Today's Filmmaking Process?
  • What Is The Full CGI Pipeline? 
    • 2D vs CGI
    • Color
    • Capturing Set Lighting For CGI
  • Can You Fix In It Post?
    • Why You Can’t Just Fix It In Post.
  • The Cheap-Fast-Good Triangle
  • Why You ALWAYS Need A VFX Supervisor
  • But Gareth Edwards Did It?
  • They’re Uhh… Flocking This Way – What is a Match Move and why does it affect your post?
  • Welcome To Roto-Hell
  • Green Scream
  • Motion Crap-ture
  • The Matte Painting and The Effect of Distance
  • There’s a Bucket in Frame AKA The Paint Job
  • Shooting Dirty vs Shooting Clean
  • Every Cut Is A New Visual Effect – Breaking Down Your Requirements
  • Why You’ll (Probably) Struggle To Find Someone To Do Your VFX for cheap/free
  • How Long Will It Take? How Good Will It Be?
    • How to prepare
    • Storyboarding - a picture is worth a thousand words (and grey hairs)
    • How not to annoy the person doing your VFX
    • CGI Asset Libraries
    • 2D Element Libraries
    • Render time
    • Hours in prep vs hours in shoot vs hours in post
  • Epilogue - Do We Even Need VFX? How important is this to the storytelling?
  • Q&A with Christopher

 

About Your Instructor

Christopher M. Anthony is a BAFTA member and founder of Kayfabe Films Ltd. With over a decade of visual effects experience, Chris has worked on over 2 dozen films including the Harry Potter franchise, the X-Men franchise, Indiana Jones, Guardians of the Galaxy, Fantastic Four, Kingsman 2: The Golden Circle and much, much more. Chris's work on Disney's The Jungle Book, through the Moving Picture Company won both an Oscar and a BAFTA. Kayfabe Films has worked closely with many of the leading production houses, post-production houses and film crews and actors in England and the United States. Chris is an alum of both Lucas Film and The Jim Henson Company.

FAQs

Q: How do I watch my webinar live?
A: If you received a confirmation that your webinar is on Go to Webinar, you will receive an email from Go to Webinar with further instructions for participating in the live webinar. You can also access your webinar link in your purchase history located under settings in the top right-hand corner of your Stage 32 profile.

If you received a confirmation that your webinar is on Zoom, you will receive a separate email from Zoom with further instructions for participating in the live webinar. Your login link will not be in your Stage 32 profile. If you did not receive your link via Zoom please email support@stage32.com.

Q: How do I watch my webinar on demand?
A: You will be able to watch your webinar on demand as many times as you’d like inside your Stage 32 profile. The recording is processed and posted between 24-48 hours after the webinar concludes. You can follow the instructions below.

YOU MUST HAVE A STAGE 32 PROFILE TO WATCH YOUR VIDEO – STAGE 32 IS FREE TO JOIN If You Already Have a Stage 32 Profile:

  1. Log into your Stage 32 profile
  2. Click "Settings" in the top right-hand corner (gear icon)
  3. Click "Purchase History"
  4. Choose this webinar and click the link to view
If You Do Not Have a Stage 32 Profile:
  1. Go to www.stage32.com
  2. Create a profile using the SAME email address you used to sign up for this webinar. The email addresses must match in order to watch the webinar.
  3. Once you have your profile set up, you can view the webinar by clicking "Settings" in the top right hand corner (gear icon)
  4. Click "Purchase History"
  5. Choose this webinar and click the link to view

Q: What is the format of a webinar?
A: Stage 32 Next Level Webinars are typically 90-minute educational broadcasts that take place online using a designated software program from Stage 32. Your webinar will be taught by a working industry professional with in-depth teaching on a topic. If you are able to attend live you will be able to ask your Stage 32 Educator questions during Q&A.

Q: What are the system requirements to watch my webinar live?
A: You will need to meet the following system requirements in order to run the webinar software: Windows 7 or later Mac OS X 10.9 (Mavericks) or later.

If you have Windows XP, Windows Vista and Mac OS X 10.9 (Mountain Lion): The webinar software does not support these operating systems. If you are running one of those operating systems, please upgrade now in order to be able to view a live webinar. Upgrade your Windows computer / Upgrade your Mac computer.

Q: What if I cannot attend the live webinar?
A: If you cannot attend a live webinar or purchase an on demand webinar, you will have access to the entire recorded broadcast, including the Q&A.

Q: Will I have access to the webinar afterward to re-watch?
A: Yes! Like all Stage 32 education, after the purchase of a live or on demand webinar, you will have on-demand access to the recording.

Q: How do I get a copy of the handouts provided?
A: If the webinar you take included handouts you can find them as downloads underneath your on demand video. You must be logged into your Stage 32 profile to view the video and get the handouts by clicking settings in the top right hand corner, then clicking purchase history.

Q: What if I need accessibility and accommodations?
A: Email support@stage32.com to request accommodations.

Thanks for your loyalty to Stage 32 Education. We value having you in the Stage 32 community.

If you have any further questions, we are always happy to help. Please contact Stage 32 support at support@stage32.com.

Questions?

If you have a generic question about Stage 32 education you can take a look at our frequently asked questions section on our help page, or feel free to contact support with any other inquiries you might have.

Other education that may be of interest to you:

How to Master Query Letters & Cold Calls to Get Past the Gatekeepers (With Examples)

Learn From Wendy Kram, A Producer and Executive Who Has Worked With Disney, Universal and Sony Studios, HBO, Showtime, Lifetime, NBC, ABC, CBS YOU WILL SEE EMAIL EXAMPLES AND HEAR MOCK COLD-CALLS SO YOU KNOW EXACTLY HOW YOU SHOULD APPROACH YOUR QUERIES! Talk to any executive and they'll tell you that they receive dozens if not hundreds of query letters a day. Because most of them don't have an attention grabbing subject line or little to no personalization, almost all end up in the trash. But, any executive will also tell you that if a subject line grabs them, or if the query letter shows the recipient that this was a personal, non-mass, attempt to get their attention, you have a very real shot of doing just that. The same holds true for cold calls. Having a solid, wise approach and knowing exactly what to say will give you the best chance of breaking the ice and securing the conversation you were hoping for. It's all about creating intrigue, interest, and value while approaching your subject from a place of selflessness and thoughtfulness. So, where do you even start and how do you even know if what you send will grab their attention?  Wendy Kram has over 20 years of experience as an entertainment industry executive, consultant, and producer, developing and producing projects for Disney, Universal and Sony Studios, HBO, Showtime, Lifetime, NBC, ABC, CBS and USA Networks. Her credits include Mad Money with Diane Keaton, Queen Latifah, and Katie Holmes, the award-winning miniseries Sally Hemings: An American Scandal for CBS with Sam Neil, and current projects she's producing with Anonymous Content (the company responsible for True Detective, Mr. Robot, The Revenant, and Spotlight). With longstanding industry relationships, Wendy understands buyer and creative talent needs, and has direct access to principals at the major studios, networks, streaming providers and agencies. Throughout her storied career Wendy has knocked down many doors and she will teach you exactly how you can do the same!   Wendy will show you how query letters and cold calling can become powerful tools in your arsenal + she will go through actual examples of letters and do mock cold-calls for you. You will walk away feeling confident the next time you query or call for your project! PRAISE FOR WENDY'S TEACHINGS: Wendy was really excited to be involved which was great! - Brent B. Very interesting and engaging. I loved it. - Jason A. Wendy was terrific, on point, and insightful. The Q&A was incredible. Thanks again. - Maria L. One of the most generous presenters imaginable; outstanding! - Virginia Y.

Understanding the SAG-AFTRA Interim Agreement Application and How to Apply

A producer on over 25 independent features gives you a step-by-step guide to how you can get your independent feature film into production with SAG-AFTRA talent during the strike by applying for the SAG-AFTRA Interim Application PLUS! You'll receive a checklist of what you need in place before speaking with talent and investors during the strike.   It can feel like the current SAG-AFTRA strike against the AMPTP has ground the industry to a halt, making it close to impossible even for you independent producers out there to make your films. But that’s not the case. SAG-AFTRA is supporting independent filmmakers who are unaffiliated with the AMPTP and are granting many independent producers a SAG-AFTRA Interim Agreement that allows you to proceed with your productions while remaining in compliance with the union. Stage 32 stands firmly with SAG-AFTRA and we are here to teach you the process to apply for a SAG-AFTRA Interim Agreement so you can try to get your movie shoot under way while properly supporting the union. Independent movie productions such as the Sam Raimi produced DON’T MOVE starring Finn Whittrock, Ishana Night Shyamalan’s THE WATCHERS starring Dakota Fanning, David Lowery’s MOTHER MARY starring Anne Hathaway and independent TV series such as the faith based global hit THE CHOSEN have all been approved for the SAG-AFTRA Interim Agreement and will be in production during the strike. In this exclusive Stage 32 webinar, you will learn the multiple steps you need to go through to apply for the SAG-AFTRA Interim Waiver as well as the essential tools and materials you need to secure financing, cast union actors once approved for the waiver, and secure distribution channels for your film even in these times of industry unrest. Navigating you through the process is Michelle Alexandria, PGA member and producer at Light Year Pictures. Michelle has personally worked as a producer, executive producer on numerous feature films. Michelle has lectured on the topic of raising film financing at the Cannes Producers Network and other prominent film festivals and markets including MipCom, Berlinale, Buenos Aires, UniFrance, Sundance, and AFM. Michelle currently has multiple independent feature films on the runway to production and applications pending with SAG-AFTRA to be able to use SAG-AFTRA talent in her films. PLUS! You will receive exclusive handouts to help you make your film during the current strike. Downloads include: Checklist of what you need before speaking with talent and investors during the strike Filmmakers, writers, producers, and actors are resilient. It is in these very challenging times that true creativity and innovation shine through if you know how to comply with the industry unions and work with them, not against them, to make your movie. *This webinar is purely informational. SAG-AFTRA is not in any way associated with this webinar and participation in this webinar does not guarantee any particular outcome with SAG-AFTRA. Praise For Michelle's Stage 32 Teaching "Michelle Alexandria proves to be an excellent guide cutting away at the barriers, self or industry created. Stellar webinar, she provides selflessly a deep knowledge, her experiences towards acquiring interest from the least expected sources, helps streamline efforts towards gaining the optimal financial support and guiding products towards audiences. Going to “throw clay onto the wheel” with confidence. Kudos, highly recommend!" -Jen K “I learned so much from Michelle about how to break into the film/tv industry. There's so much to learn about the craft and business of working in this industry and I'm grateful to have Michelle's expertise in guiding me through it.” -- Nick S. "I can't say enough good things about Michelle! Talk about a woman who knows her stuff. I highly recommend all writers, producers, and directors take a course with her to hone their craft and propel their careers." -- Kaitlin L.  

Ask Me Anything with Stage 32 CEO Richard "RB" Botto: F@#$ 2020 Edition

Hello Creative Army! Well, we did it. We made it to the end of 2020. I believe you will welcome me in saying, hasta la vista to this wild year. 2020 has been a challenge, to say the least, but it has not been without a silver lining or two (or twenty...if we're being optimistic). Over the last year, the entire Stage 32 team has been working tirelessly to help you stay connected, creative, motivated, and informed. As always, we are committed to bringing you networking opportunities, education and mentoring from top-level industry executives and professionals, and access to decision-makers around the globe all from the comfort of your own home. Every day, the Stage 32 team is on the phone and communicating with industry professionals. Our goal is to have our finger on the pulse of what's happening in the moment, so you have the tools you need to make moves in your careers.   2020 was not without its faults, but there has never been a better time to take stock of your career and get ready to step on the gas and dominate as we enter into what I am calling The Great Content Gold Rush of 2021.   So I invite you to kick 2020 straight in the ass and enter 2021 on a high by joining me for my final AMA of the year. As part of our Holiday Jump Start, I was thrilled to be hosting the "Ask Me Anything" F@#$ 2020 Edition.   ALL creatives and professionals were welcome. Looking to further your craft? Now's the time. Looking to learn more about the business? We got into that. Want to find out what I'm hearing from our roster of execs what's going to be happening industry wide in 2021? Let's F@#$'ing rock.   As always, registering for my AMA is completely FREE and it's available for immediate viewing! And the more the merrier, so do invite any of your fellow creative friends and peers on your social media channels, your email lists, and through your online groups to join us as well.   If you missed my last few AMA's, you can view them here!   Now you can say F@#$ off to 2020 with me.   Cheers!   RB

The Foreign Filmmakers Guide To Making A Movie In Hollywood

Learn how to break into the Hollywood system from an international producer and distributor who has worked on over 300 films!   More than ever Hollywood has their eyes on international talent, but how do international filmmakers break into Hollywood? While every filmmaker around the world dreams about working in Hollywood, very few have a realistic idea of how to break into the US system and get their project a greenlight from a major Hollywood player. Many young and first time filmmakers believe it is as simple as sending your script or short film to Netflix, Amazon, Paramount, or any one of the major studios or streamers and they will write you a multi million dollar check to make your project. But the truth is it is much more complex than that. Where the European market is ripe with government programs and organizations that provide funds and subsidies to filmmakers, that is rarely the case in the US. Rather, films in the US are usually funded by private money, oftentimes piecemeal from a handful of investors. While many foreign filmmakers believe that they must get their film to a major studio or streamer to have a US production, the reality is that there are countless ways to make your film in the US that will usually lead to a larger deal on your next project with one of the major distributors/streamers. So for all the foreign filmmakers trying to break into Hollywood, how do you actually get there? How do you get that US investor, producer, actor, or casting director to come on board your project to move the needle forward? What kind of story can you tell in the US that will get attention? What is the ladder within Hollywood (between creative execs, producers, and executives) and how do you navigate working in that system? Stage 32 is here to help you learn what steps to take to get your film made in the US and eventually get seen by Netflix, Amazon, Paramount, or another major studio or streamer. Teaching you all the ins and outs of US film production is Alexia Melocchi, a partner at Little Studio Films International - a multi-lingual boutique company that specializes in consulting, distribution, and production of content for both the US and international markets. Alexia has made a career out of successfully acting as a bridge between Hollywood and the global marketplace. She previously worked as a distributor and a sales agent, where she sold over 50 films to profit for clients and acquired more than 250 major studio and independent films, including LA LA LAND, NOW YOU SEE ME 2, PEPPERMINT and more. With a robust understanding of both the US and international film markets and a proclivity for working with up-and-coming foreign filmmakers WHO ARE WORKING SUCCESSFULLY WITH HOLLYWOOD, Alexia will teach you everything you need to know about US film production and empower you to get your movie made in Hollywood! You will walk away from this exclusive Stage 32 webinar with all the tools necessary to navigate the complex Hollywood system as a foreign filmmaker so you can become a working writer, director, and producer in Hollywood! PLUS! Alexia will provide you with an exclusive Guide to Hollywood for Foreign Filmmakers, with a checklist including how to access: Agents Managers Producers Production Companies Studios Streamers Financing Sources Praise For Alexia's Previous Stage 32 Teaching "Alexia explains it in terms that is understandable and clear, her experience and knowledge shines through." -Heidi "Alexia showed me how to make a plan to attack my career, not just hope for the right person to read script one day." -- Markus F. "As a non-American film director, I needed to figure out how to actually make a living doing this work in the US. Alexia helped me by showing me the way the business works and how I can live and work in it. Thank you very much." -- Alan G.

Your Definitive Legal Guide to Shopping, Option and Attachment Agreements - With an In Depth 32-Page Resource Sheet

This webinar has a 100% satisfaction rating! Acquiring the rights to a literary property with an eye towards turning it into a movie or television series is one of your primary responsibilities as a filmmaker or producer. Or, if you’re a writer with a screenplay or someone who owns IP that can be made into a film or TV series, how do you know you’re signing the right contract with a producer? Whether you are looking to acquire a screenplay, article, book, graphic novel or comic book series you need an option/purchase agreement — or is it shopping agreement? Or is it an attachment agreement? Trying to understand which agreement is right for you can make your head spin. But, it’s important to make sure you come to the table with the right agreement to protect yourself upfront and secure all the necessary rights to the amazing property you’re after. At a glance, it seems that there is overlap between the holy trinity of rights agreements: shopping, option/purchase and attachment. Unfortunately, many people confuse the terms and as a result people often end up coming to the bargaining table with very different ideas on what kind of agreement they are — resulting in the creation of Frankensteined-together versions of these three types of contracts. The wrong drafting can leave the writer stripped of their copyrights or producers and filmmakers unable to secure financing because they don’t have the rights they thought they paid for. There are key distinctions between these three agreements and any producer or filmmaker(or on the flipside, writer) must know the difference between them. Experienced entertainment attorney Thomas A. Crowell, Esq. is here to help. Thomas A. Crowell, Esq. counsels clients on a wide range of entertainment law and intellectual property rights issues, including clients who have had deals with TLC, Elsevier Publishing, Starz, Discovery Communications, Focal Press, the Smithsonian Network, WE: The Women's Entertainment Network, The Science Technology Network, IDW Publishing, and Sony Entertainment. His clients' work is seen in the pages of Marvel and DC comics and on movie, TV, computer, and mobile screens across the world. A former television producer and director of development for STN, Thomas has spent the better part of the last two decades creating ways to make difficult legal concepts accessible to creatives. Thomas will give you a solid foundation of the legal issues involved in the acquisition of film rights, as well as a rubric for understanding, negotiating, and drafting key provisions in the option/purchase, shopping agreement, and attachment deals. He will walk you through the basics of copyright law and the legal steps necessary in transferring rights. Next he will discuss common pitfalls writers and producers make when it comes to breaks in the chain of title, joint authorship, and work for hire. Critically, Thomas will spell out the differences between shopping, option/purchase, and attachment agreements and will give invaluable tips on how to negotiate and draft these agreements to ensure you’re getting what you need and not being taken advantage of. You will have the tools you'll need to navigate the murky waters of copyright law and to land the rights to your dream literary property.   Plus! Thomas provides you with a 32 page detailed resource guide to help you navigate the nuances of various agreements Praise for Thomas' Stage 32 Webinar: “I would wholeheartedly recommend this webinar not only to producers and writers, but to anyone in the business, even if you think you know what you're doing. It's mandatory viewing if you call yourself a professional." - Anna H.  "The best I've heard this explained." - Patricia C. "The best webinar I have taken here so far. Great visuals, clear explanations, relevant topic." - Maritere Y. "Thomas was excellent. Articulate, helpful diagrams, and I liked his delivery and vast experience as a producer and lawyer." - Virginia K

ScreenMasters Workshop: Go Pro as a Writer

ScreenMasters is an intensive ongoing workshop designed for screenwriters who have mastered the fundamentals of their craft and are ready to move on to the next phase of their creative and professional development. Participants will be led through innovative presentations that will encourage new ways of thinking about the unique creative process of “writing for the screen,” and collaborative workshops sessions will explore how to put these lessons into practice to bring your screenplay to the next level. For every screenwriter, the leap from gifted amateur to working professional can be the most challenging career step they face. ScreenMasters is based on the simple idea that the best way to remove any obstacles to real-world career success is to deliver extraordinary screenplays that speak for themselves. The concept of this workshop goes beyond the basics of screenwriting to delve into the deeper artistic issues that can transform a merely good project into something a little more extraordinary. Each weekly session will begin with a topic discussion led by industry veteran Michael Schulman, and then the remaining class will be a lab environment for intensive workshopping of works in progress or guidance on career development issues, blocks or troubles students may be running into. The workshop is suitable for projects in any genre and at any stage of development. Enrollment in the workshop will be limited, and interested participants will be asked to submit a short (<1 page) statement outlining your background and writing experience, a brief description of the project to be workshopped, and what you would like to get out of the workshop experience. Michael Schulman is an industry veteran whose career includes stints at William Morris, ICM, and CAA as well as creative executive positions on three different studio lots including Netflix. Michael spent two years as VP Development at Michael Mann’s company where he worked on ALI, THE AVIATOR, and TEXAS KILLING FIELDS and other projects. Michael has worked with other top industry professionals in the development and/or acquisition of many well known features including THE SIXTH SENSE, VENGEANCE, HIDEAWAY, SHANGHAI and GROUNDHOG DAY. Michael has led webinars on the streamer acquisition process and has been quoted and interviewed in the industry media.   ***Please note: This class is not booked yet, it is an application process. You can submit your application between now and February 4. The class shows booked on this page because that is how our system is technically set up, but it is a private class that Michael will be choosing the 8 from the application.***   THE APPLICATION PROCESS This class is limited to 8 students and is exclusive to active Stage 32 Writers' Room members. You must submit an application for review by February 4, 2022. The application can be found here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/YX6TFYL. Michael will be reviewing applications and will select the 8 students for the workshop. You will be notified by February 11, 2022 if you will be chosen for this class.  If you are chosen, you will be invoiced via email from Stage 32. Since this is a private group, login links and recordings will be sent directly from Stage 32 Education. 

register for stage 32 Register / Log In