Postvis in Virtual Production

Postvis is a Virtual Production term in filmmaking. In virtual production, the nuances of this term take on special meaning. Here, we break down the definition to give you a starting point.

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Basic Definition:

What is Postvis in virtual production?

Postvis is a process of visualizing and/or reconceptualizing the visual effects of a film after all live-action elements have been shot. As more productions move to virtual environments, postvis has become an increasingly important aspect of production. 

In order to successfully complete postvis in virtual productions, there are certain best practices that need to be followed. First and foremost, postvis should always be discussed early on in preproduction so that everyone involved in the project understands what type of output will be needed during shooting. Additionally, it is important for those responsible for postvis to properly communicate with the rest of the team about expectations and goals in order to ensure that their work is completed efficiently and accurately. Lastly, it’s essential for postvis artists to be mindful of potential issues that could arise due to changes in lighting or camera position, as well as any other special effects requirements that may come up throughout the course of shooting. 

The primary person responsible for overseeing postvis in virtual productions is typically either the director or the VFX supervisor. It is also common for postvis supervisors and coordinators to be brought onto projects to provide extra support and expertise when needed. Depending on the size and scope of the project, additional personnel such as animators, compositors, and 3D modelers may also be hired to assist with various aspects of the postvis workflow. 

There are numerous benefits associated with postvis in virtual productions. Postvis allows filmmakers to experiment with different angles and perspectives without needing to reshoot any footage. This can lead to significant cost savings as reshoots are often expensive and time consuming. Additionally, postvis can help enhance a story's visuals by allowing artists to digitally add or remove elements from scenes which would otherwise require physical set pieces or stunts. Finally, postvis gives directors greater control over how their film looks while enabling them to visualize their final product even before the shoot has wrapped.