Blender, the free and open-source 3D modelling, animation, and visual effects (VFX) software, has made significant strides in democratising access to high-quality digital content creation. It has empowered a new generation of creatives to develop their skills in ways that might not have been possible without such accessible tools. This phenomenon has been especially apparent in the rise of Blender VFX breakdowns shared on social media, where users often recreate complex effects from major film productions, sometimes making these intricate processes appear deceptively straightforward.
However, a recent meme circulating on Reddit has sparked a lively debate among industry professionals and fans alike, questioning the high costs traditionally associated with Hollywood VFX work. The post has garnered 1,600 likes and over 200 comments, featuring a wide range of views.
One question that frequently arises is: if a bedroom YouTuber can replicate VFX shots in a few hours using Blender, why do big studio effects command such high prices? Some contributors suggest that part of the answer lies in the nature of the production process itself, including client-driven revisions and attention to minute details. A Reddit commenter remarked, "The real reason these shots cost so much is because the director is pixel fucking the motion blur of a distant shadow on version 875 four months after the due date," highlighting how iterative demands from clients can extend timelines and inflate costs.
Another professional voice on the platform emphasised the role of client specifications in shaping VFX work. They explained, "YouTubers and their audiences think that VFX artists 'fucked all kinds of shit up and made it stupid and wrong'. The reality is that we made exactly what the client wanted, because that's how we get paid. I'm making an M-4 fire rainbow unicorn fart muzzle flashes if that's what the client asks for, because that's how I get a pay cheque." This comment underscores how VFX artists’ creative output is often directed and constrained by client expectations, rather than purely their own artistic vision.
Beyond these factors, some comments point to a fundamental element of VFX creation: the process of ideation and conception. Recreating an existing effect often benefits from reverse engineering, with a clear endpoint already defined. However, coming up with original ideas and designing effects from scratch is an entirely different challenge. As one artist reflected, "Anytime I see 'we recreated X in one day', I always think. Yeah: IF you have an exact reference for exactly the end result requested AND there are no notes on the small differences between your result and the reference…then yes, you could pull some things off in a single day. It never works like that."
This disparity also relates to the difference in production contexts. While social media recreations are made for online viewing, original cinematic VFX shots often need to meet far higher standards. One commenter noted, "People seem to forget that shots made for large displays like IMAX need way more attention to detail. Let alone working with film scans, set scans, multiple cameras, humans treated like chatGPT for revisions and etc."
Despite the debate, the consensus acknowledges that VFX artistry is complex and demanding work, involving both creative and technical mastery, as well as navigating client relationships and constraints. While recreating effects for social platforms is an excellent way for emerging artists to learn, it does not equate to the process of originating and delivering final cinematic visual effects under professional production conditions.
Blender itself continues to grow in stature within professional circles. The software was employed in the production of the Oscar-winning animated short film Flow, exemplifying its increasing viability for high-end projects. For those interested in exploring Blender, tutorials and guides remain widely available to support newcomers to the software.
The Creative Bloq is reporting on this evolving conversation within the VFX community surrounding Blender and the perception of visual effects production costs.
Source: Noah Wire Services