Making an engaging video is a top priority for all video production companies. A better, more engaging video means a stronger message; something critical to businesses paying for advertising.
There are many different ways to make a video engaging for the viewer. A well-written script designed to entertain and educate can win the interest of viewers. Other ways include hiring well-known actors, recording catchy jingles, licensing popular music, aerial filming, and more.
However, one of the more impactful techniques includes implementing special effects (SFX) and visual effects (VFX) in your video. They make for visually arresting moments in the video and can help hold the audience’s attention.
Here’s a quick guide to SFX vs VFX in commercial video production.
SFX vs VFX: Understanding the Difference
While both these techniques aim to excite the audience, their execution and results are quite different.
Special Effects (SFX)
Special effects are on-screen effects that are a part of the original filmed footage. This includes prosthetics to change an actor’s appearance, makeup, controlled explosions, sets, stunts, animatronics, and more. Many require careful planning and coordination between the stuntmen, director, cameraman, and crew.
Whether the effect is created during filming or afterward is one of the biggest differences when comparing SFX vs VFX.
When done right, special effects can significantly enhance live-action filming, making for a more engaging video. Having said that, implementing SFX can be costly. The equipment you need, the presence of qualified professionals, the time taken while filming on location, and safety precautions all contribute to the video’s cost. These effects need to be managed carefully and the risks accounted for by following appropriate health and safety regulations.
Visual Effects (VFX)
The main difference in special versus visual effects is that the latter are implemented in post-production after all the filming is complete. Visual effects can create spell-binding scenes that are either very difficult or impossible to achieve in real life. But sometimes when they’re done well, the average viewer may not even notice.
These effects are created digitally with advanced technology, such as compositing tools and graphics software. The effects are then overlaid onto the footage in a way that they blend naturally into the scene.
There are two primary approaches to visual effects used in commercial video production:
- Green Screen: Green screen VFX or compositing is a way to combine multiple graphic images or backgrounds into a single shot. It’s called green screen because the original footage is typically shot in front of a green-colored screen. This makes it easy for VFX artists to more easily digitally replace the background with something else. This can make it seem like the video or its actors are in a completely new location.
Green screen filming also makes VFX a bit more popular versus SFX for commercial and corporate video usage. It’s a popular method for companies to edit out the background and slip in a new one for anything from orientation videos to testimonial videos.
- Computer-Generated Imagery: CGI is a catch-all term for any graphics elements created with computer software. It can range from simple icons to entire buildings, vehicles, environments, or characters. For example, flying in space, dragon fights, etc.
While SFX tends to be more costly than VFX to implement, the latter isn’t cheap either. Extensive visual effects could easily drive up costs. This is due to the many high-end computers, skilled professionals, and man-hours required to produce these effects.
Both approaches are increasingly popular in business videos. Even productions such as explainer videos, commercials, and product advertisements benefit from visual and sound effects, improving their engagement rate.
Trends in Brand Videos
Branding videos also need to incorporate strong visuals, sound effects, and audio logos in today’s digital era. All of these elements help promote videos of any type, from explainer to training to branding to commercial videos and so on.
Business video production services also include these effects to make your brand or corporate video appealing to the right audience, although the extent to which effects are used may not be as advanced as used in a big-budget film. However, if you wish to hook the audience, it is important to use SFX and VFX in your videos.
SFX vs VFX? Or Both? And Why?
There are different types of visual and special effects that can boost your brand and corporate videos. These effects can lead to a sales boost by creating a lasting impression and growing your brand. The option you choose must reflect the type of impact you’re looking to make. VFX, while visually arresting can seem less impressive versus SFX like stunts which take incredible skill to perform. In any case, both can do wonders for your video and level up the difference they make for your business.
Partner With an Experienced Company for Captivating Commercial VFX and SFX
336 Productions is a multiple award-winning video production studio with a rich track record of producing visually impactful videos that also drive traction for your business. Based in Orange County, CA, we’ve worked with leading brands nationwide to help them expand reach, boost leads, and increase sales.
Reach out to us for more information about VFX vs SFX or to get started with your commercial video project.
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