Learn the fundamentals of visual effects from Kenneth Lui, award-winning director of ARTISTS IN AGONY: HITMEN AT THE CODA TEAHOUSE, and a visual effects artist on Marvel's DR. STARNGE, CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR, BATMAN VS SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE, GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY, Quentin Tarantino's THE HATEFUL EIGHT and more!

Film is a visual medium and as a visual storyteller it’s important that you know all the tools utilized in visual effects (VFX) so you can extend the universe of your story. Our imaginations are limitless and finding the correct approach to telling stories from our imagination in a visual medium can be daunting. The best filmmakers are familiar with the parameters of VFX and how to best use them. As technology becomes more affordable and sophisticated, having high quality VFX in your projects is more accessible than ever.

However, an understanding of how to not only use visual effects but incorporate them into your story is critical if you’re going to make the most out of these amazing technologies. As a filmmaker, it is important you understand the fundamentals of visual effects so you can grasp how you want to use them in your story and relay that to your visual effects artists and production team. 

In this exclusive Stage 32 webinar, award-winning visual effects artist/writer/director Kenneth Lui will take you through the fundamentals of visual effects to elevate your work whether you’re doing a small short or a big budget feature. Kenneth will walk you through how effects are designed and executed on his award winning films as well as the basics of how it’s done for Marvel and DC films.

Kenneth has worked as a visual effects artist on Marvel’s CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER, IRON MAN 3, THOR: THE DARK WORLD, GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY, ANT MAN, CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR, and DOCTOR STRANGE as well as other blockbuster films like Quentin Tarantino’s THE HATEFUL EIGHT, BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE, JUPITER ASCENDING, DIVERGENT, TRANSFORMERS: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN, as well as a digital effects artist on PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: ON STRANGER TIDES, GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO, and more! Kenneth is sharing his vast knowledge and industry experience exclusively with the Stage 32 community to help you get the most out of visual effects in your next project.

In this information-packed webinar you will learn how to design your shots and characters to maximize the impact of visual effects in your story, how to make VFX pay off and help your story, and how to incorporate visual effects in your project without going over budget. You will gain an understanding of the critical elements of visual effects that will help you plan your story, your shoot, and ensure you can troubleshoot issues that come up on set while filming for your visual effects shots.

This webinar is an incredibly unique and rare opportunity to learn the art and application of visual effects from one of the most experienced VFX artist in the industry.

Praise For Kenneth’s filmmaking

"Kenneth Lui’s expertise as a visual effects artist for Marvel and DC movies shines through, elevating the film’s action and drama. Lui orchestrates a seamless and masterclass blend of action, drama, and dry humor that captivates audiences from start to finish.”- Punch Drunk Critics

• Introduction to Visual Effects
• Difference between “special effects” vs “visual effects” (practical vs digital)
• What is CGI really, why it doesn’t work sometimes, and how to play to its strengths
• What is compositing and why it’s important to understand what it is
• Elements/departments of VFX (compositing, roto, tracking, 3D animation)
• Kenneth Lui: A Journey into Visual Effects and guerrilla filmmaking
• Kenneth Lui’s VFX and filmmaking career
• Experience and insight from the industry
• Star Wars case study: The evolution of special effects to visual effects
• The original Star Wars to the Prequels to the Mandalorian: Discussing how the effects in the original trilogy were done and how the technology affected the philosophy and technique of doing things:
• The character Yoda as an example of different techniques to make that character come to life.
• How Star Wars went from practical to digital to a hybrid.
• Making a plan for the VFX in your project
• “What is a Yoda? Do we need a Yoda? What do we have to shoot to pull off a Yoda?” Exploring the best options in making effects work for your story. What do we SEE, what do we have to SHOOT?
• Knowing the elements you need to make your effects work best (assets, technique)
• Birdemic: why does it look so shitty? (lighting, tracking, 3D modeling/animation, interaction with actors)
• Generally having the process of VFX demystified so anything you imagine on paper can be possible on film along with a plan on how to do it.
• Q&A with Kenneth

Praise For Kenneth’s filmmaking

"Kenneth Lui’s expertise as a visual effects artist for Marvel and DC movies shines through, elevating the film’s action and drama. Lui orchestrates a seamless and masterclass blend of action, drama, and dry humor that captivates audiences from start to finish.”- Punch Drunk Critics

"For horror fans thirsting for an over-the-top, tongue-in-cheek take on crime thrillers, ARTISTS IN AGONY looks to be a must-see!" – Horror Facts Magazine

"The film (ARTISTS IN AGONY) embraces its violent content with reckless swagger and abandon which plays nicely in bouts of laughing fits. This is just an absolute joy to watch.” Reel Reviews