The best time to solve a technical problem is before the first frame exists. Getting involved during pre-production allows us to help shape the VFX approach while creative and technical decisions are still flexible.
Many filmmakers have described pre-production as the stage where a film truly takes shape, with the production itself becoming the execution of decisions already made. We share the same philosophy. Careful planning during pre-production often saves time, budget and unnecessary compromises later in the project.
We can assist with VFX shot planning, camera and lens selection, tracking requirements, motion control, reference photography, survey planning, LiDAR and photogrammetry capture, helping ensure that everything needed for post-production is captured accurately on set.
For more demanding productions, we also help develop technical approaches for face replacement, body extensions, character integration, complex CG interaction, FX work and multi-pass photography. When a shot presents unusual challenges, we work together with the production team to define practical capture methods, camera moves, rigging solutions and custom workflows before filming begins.
Whether on location or during pre-production, our role is to reduce uncertainty and make post-production more predictable. A short technical discussion before the shoot often prevents problems that are difficult or sometimes impossible to solve later.
Even if your production already has an experienced VFX Supervisor, we’re always happy to coordinate early so everyone is working from the same technical foundation. Sharing ideas, potential challenges and capture requirements helps align workflows and keeps every department moving in the same direction.
Good visual effects rarely depend on a single technique. They are usually the result of many small technical decisions made long before the final frame is rendered.
Lens grids are used to capture the unique distortion characteristics of each lens. Whenever possible, shoot a grid for every physical lens used on the production, even when two lenses have the same focal length.
Grid & Camera Setup · Mount the grid on a rigid, completely flat surface. · Keep the grid level and evenly lit, avoiding reflections and hotspots. · Center the camera with the grid. · Keep the camera sensor plane parallel to the grid. · Shoot using the full sensor / Open Gate, without additional sensor cropping. · The grid should fill the frame while maintaining enough visible pattern across the image.
Lens Information Include a visible label with:
Lens / Focal Length / Serial Number / Aperture
Do not rely only on camera metadata.
Focus Use a moderate aperture and, when possible, record several focus distances from minimum focus to infinity.
Make sure focus breathing does not reveal the edge of the grid.
For anamorphic lenses, multiple focus distances are especially important.
Zoom Lenses Shoot the grid at each marked focal length used during production, following the same setup and focus procedure.
studio@qlbeans.com Europe +381 11 770 6335 North America +1 718 819 1698
