ABSTRACT
This chapter covers pre-production in relation to visual effects (VFX). It includes the budgeting of the VFX and the decisions about what company and VFX team will work on the show. The chapter covers the designs and the techniques that will be used and that will ultimately determine much of the success of the VFX. Budgeting VFX is a difficult and ongoing process because of the number of unknowns associated with VFX shots. VFX companies do the majority of VFX work on feature films as fixed bids. The VFX Producer reads the script and notes any scenes that would seem to require a VFX shot. Final selection of the companies will depend on the costs, experience, and quality of previous work. Tax incentives may also play a role in the decision. The size of the company will be taken into account since an expansion of shots could be problematic.
