How would you explain your job to someone who doesn’t know VFX?
When I don’t want someone’s eyes to glaze over, I say my job is making all the cool explosions you see in movies and TV shows.
If they’re still listening, I’ll explain that we use computers to simulate things like fire, water, smoke, cloth, and destruction. Basically, anything that’s too dangerous, expensive, or downright impossible to film in real life. We step in and make the impossible possible. With computers!
What does a day in the life look like?
As an FX Lead, my day is a mix of creative problem-solving and technical wrangling. I help guide the other FX artists on my team by answering questions, unblocking tricky shots, and keeping everything moving forward.
There’s usually at least one team meeting where we review progress with the VFX supervisor. After that, it’s heads-down time where we dive into tweaking simulations, developing new FX elements, and starting new shots.
What are some of your favorite projects? Why?
I loved working on Kevin Costner’s 'Horizon: An American Saga' (2024). As a self-proclaimed movie buff, it was thrilling to work on something made for the big screen and to be given the time and support to really push the VFX.
The project encompassed a large swath of VFX from river and waterfall simulations, crowds, cloth, character FX, fire, explosions, and more.
The Ingenuity team on 'Horizon' was incredible. Everyone brought their A-game, and the collaboration made the work genuinely fun. Seeing our work up on the theater screen was unreal.
Horizon: An American Saga | Warner Bros.
What's something you wish people knew about what you do?
I am a builder and a tinkerer! I love working with my hands, and when I’m not doing digital explosions, I’m usually out in my garage building something.
What is something that excites you about your career?
I get to work on movies!! As someone who grew up loving film, knowing I’m helping create something that people will experience on a big screen is deeply gratifying.
Are you learning anything new?
Lately, I’ve been teaching myself how to build servo-driven animatronics using Arduino modules. I’ve got a half-finished robot in my garage that mostly just blinks and talks nonsense, but it’s been a great way to combine my love of physical making with some light coding.
Also, I’m trying to grow a mustache for the first time in my adult life. Results are… mixed.
What do you like to do outside of work?
I’m a bit of a homebody, and I’ve slowly built out a kind of pseudo-makerspace in my garage. If I’m not working or at the movies with my partner, I’m usually 3D printing something, working on RC cars, or painting miniatures.
Lately, I have been working on a 1/1 scale dragon's egg form The House Of the Dragon, using CAD, 3D printing, mold making, and resin casting.
What's the best advice you've ever received?
“The value of starting over is a mission-critical life skill.” – My hero, Adam Savage
This advice resonates with me as both a VFX artist and a maker in general. While it applies to life at any scale, I first heard it in the context of making.
Having the fortitude to start over, to do everything a second time, often leads to a significantly better end result. Whether it’s a VFX shot, a sculpture, or a side project, I try to carry that mindset into everything I do. Each new project, personal or professional, is a chance to begin again, with everything I’ve learned the first time around.
SPOTLIGHT
William Stehlik
FX Lead
SPOTLIGHT
William Stehlik
FX Lead
How would you explain your job to someone who doesn’t know VFX?
When I don’t want someone’s eyes to glaze over, I say my job is making all the cool explosions you see in movies and TV shows.
If they’re still listening, I’ll explain that we use computers to simulate things like fire, water, smoke, cloth, and destruction. Basically, anything that’s too dangerous, expensive, or downright impossible to film in real life. We step in and make the impossible possible. With computers!
What does a day in the life look like?
As an FX Lead, my day is a mix of creative problem-solving and technical wrangling. I help guide the other FX artists on my team by answering questions, unblocking tricky shots, and keeping everything moving forward.
There’s usually at least one team meeting where we review progress with the VFX supervisor. After that, it’s heads-down time where we dive into tweaking simulations, developing new FX elements, and starting new shots.
What are some of your favorite projects? Why?
I loved working on Kevin Costner’s 'Horizon: An American Saga' (2024). As a self-proclaimed movie buff, it was thrilling to work on something made for the big screen and to be given the time and support to really push the VFX.
The project encompassed a large swath of VFX from river and waterfall simulations, crowds, cloth, character FX, fire, explosions, and more.
The Ingenuity team on 'Horizon' was incredible. Everyone brought their A-game, and the collaboration made the work genuinely fun. Seeing our work up on the theater screen was unreal.
Horizon: An American Saga | Warner Bros.
What's something you wish people knew about what you do?
I am a builder and a tinkerer! I love working with my hands, and when I’m not doing digital explosions, I’m usually out in my garage building something.
What is something that excites you about your career?
I get to work on movies!! As someone who grew up loving film, knowing I’m helping create something that people will experience on a big screen is deeply gratifying.
Are you learning anything new?
Lately, I’ve been teaching myself how to build servo-driven animatronics using Arduino modules. I’ve got a half-finished robot in my garage that mostly just blinks and talks nonsense, but it’s been a great way to combine my love of physical making with some light coding.
Also, I’m trying to grow a mustache for the first time in my adult life. Results are… mixed.
What do you like to do outside of work?
I’m a bit of a homebody, and I’ve slowly built out a kind of pseudo-makerspace in my garage. If I’m not working or at the movies with my partner, I’m usually 3D printing something, working on RC cars, or painting miniatures.
Lately, I have been working on a 1/1 scale dragon's egg form The House Of the Dragon, using CAD, 3D printing, mold making, and resin casting.
What's the best advice you've ever received?
“The value of starting over is a mission-critical life skill.” – My hero, Adam Savage
This advice resonates with me as both a VFX artist and a maker in general. While it applies to life at any scale, I first heard it in the context of making.
Having the fortitude to start over, to do everything a second time, often leads to a significantly better end result. Whether it’s a VFX shot, a sculpture, or a side project, I try to carry that mindset into everything I do. Each new project, personal or professional, is a chance to begin again, with everything I’ve learned the first time around.