South African filmmakers have tended to shy away from genre films and films that are heavily dependent on special effects (SFX) and visual effects (VFX) despite the fact that these kinds of films are becoming the staple diet of distributors and VOD platforms in the global market of independent feature films.
The American Film Market just released a study of low budget breakout films over the past five years and of the three genres that succeeded time and time again, horror was top of the list. Producing a film in the genre category, internationally defined as horror, action, sci-fi and fantasy, means that inevitably you will run into the need to incorporate special effects (SFX) and visual effects (VFX) into your production.
For filmmakers going down this route it’s important to understand the difference between SFX and VFX and to know when to apply which one for particular shots, scenes or a character in a film.
Special effects, also called mechanical, practical or physical effects, are usually accomplished during the live-action shooting and include the use of mechanised props, scale models, animatronics, pyrotechnics and atmospheric effects such as creating physical wind, rain, fog, snow, clouds, etc.
Practical effects are often incorporated into set design and makeup, for example, a set may be built with break-away doors or walls to enhance a fight scene, or prosthetic makeup can be used to make an actor look like a non-human creature.
Visual effects involve the integration of live-action footage and computer generated imagery to create environments that look realistic, but would be too dangerous, expensive, impractical, or impossible to capture on film. Visual effects using computer generated imagery (CGI) have become more accessible to the independent filmmaker with the introduction of affordable and easy-to-use animation and compositing software.
In the development process of genre films, the SFX and VFX suppliers, or ideally partners, should be consulted as early as possible. Once a presentable draft of the script is ready, the producer or filmmaker should have the S&VFX team read the script and tag the scenes and shots that require S&VFX work, and then breakdown their requirements and costs.
S&VFX work can seriously impact the production budget envisioned and producers often have to go back and amend elements in order to eliminate extremely expensive S&VFX shots and replace them with a more pragmatic approach, often suggested by the S&VFX suppliers.
Producers often make assumptions about S&VFX shots and their costs, only to be eventually informed of the true cost implications, leading to either a compromise in the quality of the S&VFX shots or the need to raise additional finance at a time when it is often impractical to do so.
A visual effects supervisor also plays a critical role on set, linking the SFX shots during production and the VFX that will be done in post. Examples of this include measuring lighting that will fall on future inserted CGI elements during the shoot, or creating shadows and physical impressions with green objects to be replaced later with CGI elements.
In the market place, experienced genre buyers and financiers will also quickly pick up discrepancies between a genre film’s S&VFX requirements in the script and the budget presented in the package. Such disconnects would reflect badly on the producer’s ability to understand and execute the genre and make it difficult to pick-up distribution or attract investment for the project thereafter.
Another challenge for first-time genre producers or directors is to convince investors and distributors that they can execute the genre successfully. The best solution for this is a proof of concept that illustrates the look and feel of the film, the director’s ability to execute the genre, and the S&VFX team behind the film’s ability to deliver the FX. Along with a strong script, a proof of concept will almost guarantee pre-sales and strong sales projections that can then trigger other financing like equity and gap financing against unsold territories.
Genre films are one of the few types of films that don’t necessarily require high profile cast members to secure pre-sales and there are many cases of independent horror films without stars attached, who’s proof of concepts have attracted pre-sales of up to 60 per cent of the budget. This makes genre films and ideal business venture for South African producers, as we have the talent and technical ability here to pull off world class S&VFX driven films at a reduced cost due to a favourable exchange rate.
AAA Entertainment recently approached local company Loco FX for assistance with a “creature feature” about giant mutant rats in Alexander township, by director Zuko Nodada. They secured a partnership with Loco FX that will see them produce a proof of concept together to unlock international financing and distribution. The proof of concept will be co-developed with AAA Entertainment, Loco FX and the director to achieve the maximum impact within the available budget and ensure that no time or money is wasted in making the sales tool for the film.
Having recently attended the Frontieres Market in Montreal, part of Fantasia – one of the biggest genre festivals in the world – AAA Entertainment engaged with financiers, sales companies and distributors who specialise in the independent horror genre. The feedback from the market made it clear that although the concept of the film was exciting for the distributors, the lack of experience of the director in the genre and the lack of knowledge of South African S&VFX capabilities required a proof of concept to bring them on board financially.
It is clear then that South African filmmakers can effectively produce and secure funding for genre films, even those heavy on special and visual effects as long as they understand the processes and best practices involved, and have them distributed globally. One thing that is universal in film for sure: scary is scary no matter where you are on the planet.
By Pascal Schmitz and Mayenzeke Baza, co-founders of AAA Entertainment – a South African based global sales and distribution company that executive produces and develops South African content with the intention of being sold internationally.
