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The Journey from Compositor to VFX Shoot Supervisor: A Cinematic Evolution

The world of visual effects is a constantly evolving landscape that demands precision, creativity, and technical expertise. All my Projects in this field, spanning from The Rising: Mangal Pandey to Chaava, has been one of immense growth, learning, and adaptation. Starting as a compositor, I gradually honed my skills and transitioned into an on-set VFX shoot supervisor, accumulating experience across multiple films and television series.

Early Projects: The Rising of a Career

My career in visual effects began with television series like Sonpari and Saraarat, where I spent 15 months developing a strong foundation. However, my first major film project was The Rising: Mangal Pandey, where I worked as a compositor and matchmover. This project was a turning point for me. One of the most challenging tasks I undertook was manually cleaning up an anchor scene frame by frame for three months, as the shot could not be tracked. Despite being new to the industry, I persevered, and my efforts were well-received by the producer. This experience provided me with in-depth knowledge of Bezier warp and corner pin tools, which became invaluable in my later projects.

Building Expertise: Zeher and Beyond

 Following The Rising: Mangal Pandey, I worked on Zeher as a compositor, focusing primarily on background replacement. Unlike my previous project, which required extensive manual work, Zeher introduced me to new challenges in integrating different elements seamlessly. My keen understanding of lighting and blending, something I had an innate sense for from the beginning, made compositing feel more intuitive and less daunting. These projects helped me refine my skills, paving the way for my future role as an on-set VFX supervisor.

Expanding Horizons: The Role of Mathematics and Physics

As I progressed in my career, I realized the crucial role of academic subjects like trigonometry and physics, particularly the study of light. These subjects, which once seemed abstract in school, turned out to be the backbone of VFX technicality. They helped me grasp the principles of camera movement, lens distortion, and lighting, all essential for realistic visual effects.

The Transition to On-Set Supervision

With films like Ru-Ba-Ru, U Me Aur Hum, and Ramyug, I continued to enhance my expertise in compositing, lighting, and integration. However, my transition into on-set VFX supervision was a natural progression. My experience in post-production gave me a deep understanding of what was needed on set to facilitate smoother workflows in post. I began ensuring that data capture, lighting references, and set continuity were meticulously recorded, reducing post-production challenges.

Chaava: The Pinnacle of My Career

 Among all the projects I have worked on, Chaava stands out as the most 

complex and valuable. This film presented significant challenges, including complete set changes, set extensions, and the creation of an entire mountain with palaces. To ensure accuracy in integrating CGI elements, I relied heavily on photogrammetry, which became a key technique in aligning footage within a 3D environment.

For Chaava, I captured HDRI for every shot using a Nodal Ninja and a Canon 5D Mark IV with a 14mm lens to achieve accurate lighting. I personally stitched all HDRIs using PTGui and created the photogrammetry models using Meshroom. My role in this project was multifaceted, as I worked closely with the production team to ensure all necessary data was captured efficiently while keeping up with the fast-paced shooting schedule.

Looking Ahead: A Future Built on Experience

From my early days as a compositor working frame by frame to supervising on-set VFX for large-scale productions, my journey has been one of continuous growth. Photography played a crucial role in my training, helping me understand composition, lighting, and depth—skills that seamlessly translated into my VFX career. Today, as a VFX shoot supervisor, I bring both my artistic vision and technical expertise to ensure high-quality visual effects in films.

Each project, from The Rising: Mangal Pandey to Chaava, has been a stepping stone, adding layers of knowledge and experience. With the ever-evolving nature of VFX, I remain committed to pushing boundaries, mentoring new artists, and embracing emerging technologies to bring cinematic visions to life.