VFX

Meanings

1. 1abbreviationuncountabletechnical

   Visual effects: images or scenes created by computers or special techniques for films and TV.

   Grammar: Used like a singular uncountable noun: 'VFX is expensive', not 'VFXs'.

   Patterns

   • use VFX
   • VFX artist
   • VFX work

   The movie used VFX to create the dragon.

   She works as a VFX artist in London.

   The VFX in that scene look very realistic.

2. 2abbreviationuncountabletechnical

   The department or team in a film production that makes computer-generated or practical effects.

   Grammar: Often used before another noun: 'the VFX team', 'the VFX department'.

   Patterns

   • VFX team
   • VFX department
   • VFX studio

   The VFX team spent months on the final battle.

   He got a job at a VFX studio in Vancouver.

Common combinations

VFX artist

The VFX artist added smoke to the scene.

VFX shot

That VFX shot took weeks to finish.

use VFX

They used VFX instead of building a real set.

VFX budget

The film's VFX budget was huge.

Synonyms and how they differ

visual effects

The full phrase; use it in formal writing or when VFX might not be understood.

CGI

Computer-generated imagery; a type of VFX, but not all VFX is CGI.

special effects

Often means physical effects on set, while VFX usually means effects added later.

Word family

visual effects noun

The full form of the abbreviation.

Commonly confused: VFX or SFX?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “VFX”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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