Fantastic Four: Special Effects Interview

I recently had the opportunity to interview Steven M. Blasini, who is a visual effects supervisor. Below is a summary of the discussion we had.

Bell: For what movies have you contributed your knowledge of special effects?

Blasini: Almost 30 films so far, Fantastic Four being the first domestic theatrical release. Our work is shown theatrically overseas as well as on Sci-Fi Channel, HBO, Showtime, Fox Family Channel and others. Blockbuster is also a popular repository of our films. However, unless you're a SciFi/Action fan, you probably will not have heard of them. Recently on Sci-Fi Channel we had a premiere of one of our films called "Chupacabra: Dark Seas", about the legendary monster let loose on an ocean liner. We've worked with a variety of well known talent, such as William Shatner, William Baldwin, Luke Perry, Martin Sheen and now we are finishing the VFX for a new Steven Seagal film.

Bell: How long have you been involved in special effects?

Blasini: Since 1997 professionally.. However I've wanted to work in this field since the tender age of 7.

Bell: What was your special effects contribution for "Fantastic Four?"

Blasini: We created Dr. Doom's elaborate complex in CGI from partial reference photos taken on the set.

Bell: What was your special effects contribution for other shows?

Blasini: On all our other films, we run the show.. That is, we are involved in the projects from concept to completion, we direct on location and on set FX sequences, and we handle ALL the FX for the films.

Bell: In what other departments in the movie industry have you assisted?

Blasini: On a couple of shows, while supervising on location for VFX, I have been called on to direct second unit photography, when the regular director of photography could not be there. I have also edited films. On several other shows, I have been called on to act as an extra and in one film even had a speaking role. For an inhouse project I even scored some music.

Bell: What type of equipment/supplies do you utilize for special effects?

Blasini: We have an elaborate setup of 15 render computers hooked up via a network, all dedicated solely to the task of "generating" the 3D CGI... We have our own edit bays, mixers, simple stage setups, green screen and VTR's for video input and output. Our software consists of the entire suite of Adobe products, from After Effects to Photoshop.. For our 3D CGI work we use Newtek's Lightwave exclusively.

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I would like to thank Steven M. Blasini for allowing me to interview him.