Kalpak Deshmukh’s journey towards his successful career as a VFX artist all began with Adobe Photoshop at the young age of seven. The rest, one could say, is history.
Over the past couple of years, Deshmukh has worked as a Houdini FX Artist on a plethora of notable projects, including Abbott Elementary, The Good Fight, Outer Banks, One Piece, The Orville, and La Brea – to name just a few. Last week, I was fortunate enough to have an in-depth discussion with Deshmukh to discuss his expertise, and the path he took to become the renowned VFX artist he is now.
Hi Kalpak! Really appreciate you taking time out of your day to chat with me. I’m excited to learn more about you and your work. For those who aren’t as familiar with the title VFX Artist, why don’t we start out by having you explain what it is that you do in the most general terms. What does your typical day look like?
KD: Of course! As a VFX Artist, my job is to create visual effects that bring a story to life in ways that would be difficult, dangerous, or outright impossible to capture through traditional filming. This can range from things like massive explosions or water simulations to more intricate effects such as magical spells, tornadoes, or even space phenomena like asteroid fields and cosmic waves. Essentially, if it can’t be filmed practically or needs to be enhanced digitally, that’s where VFX comes in. A typical day for me starts with reviewing feedback from the VFX supervisors or directors. This feedback might involve adjusting a scene, like improving the fluidity of water in an ocean simulation or tweaking the way light interacts with a magical effect. From there, I dive into software like Houdini or Maya to work on simulations or effects, whether it's creating realistic natural disasters like earthquakes or working on a sequence where space debris collides with a spaceship. I also spend a lot of time collaborating with other departments, like compositing and lighting artists, to ensure that my effects blend seamlessly into the live-action footage. Some days are more creative, where I’m designing entirely new effects, while others are more technical, focused on perfecting the details of a scene. Every day brings something new, which keeps things exciting!
What drew you to VFX? Did you always know you wanted to be a VFX Artist, or was it a career you discovered after you were already working in the entertainment industry?
KD: My journey into VFX wasn’t something I had planned from the start—it unfolded naturally over time. Growing up, I was always fascinated by movies, TV shows, and video games. I loved how they could transport you to entirely new worlds, and I found myself wondering how all that magic was created. But back then, I didn’t really know what VFX was or that it could become a career path for me. At first, I went down a more technical route and pursued a degree in software engineering. I was really interested in technology and programming, but along the way, I started dabbling in video editing and motion graphics just for fun. I taught myself how to use editing software through online tutorials, and soon enough, I was making videos for events and festivals, even working on live sports broadcasts. That’s when I realized I could combine my technical skills with creativity, and I really enjoyed that. The big turning point came when I worked on large live events like the FIFA U-17 World Cup and Justin Bieber’s Purpose World Tour. Getting to see how these massive productions were put together and the role visual effects played in shaping those experiences was eye-opening. I remember being in awe of how much work went into creating the visual magic behind the scenes. That’s when I knew I wanted to dive deeper into VFX. After that, I decided to take the leap and pursue a Master of Fine Arts in Animation and Visual Effects. It felt like the perfect way to merge my love for storytelling with my technical background, and once I got into the world of VFX, I knew I had found my passion. Looking back, it feels like everything naturally led me to this point, and I couldn’t be happier with where I’ve landed.
I imagine it takes a lot of creativity and ability to pay attention to very specific details in order to be a VFX Artist. What qualities do you think it takes to be successful at what you do?
KD: Being a VFX artist requires a combination of creativity, problem-solving, and a sharp attention to detail. Every project brings its own set of challenges, whether it's creating realistic natural effects like earthquakes or integrating magical elements into a scene. Problem-solving is key because things often don’t go as planned, and you need to adapt and find solutions that work both technically and creatively. Patience is essential too, as visual effects often require going through several iterations, making tiny adjustments to get everything just right. Adaptability is another important quality.
The VFX industry is constantly evolving, with new tools, software, and techniques emerging all the time. Staying up-to-date and being able to switch methods mid-project if needed helps you grow and stay flexible. And, of course, a strong creative vision is vital. It’s not just about making something look cool, it has to serve the story and fit within the bigger picture. Whether it’s a small environmental effect or a huge explosion, the goal is always to enhance the narrative. All of these qualities work together to help bring visual effects to life.
Are there any activities outside of the industry that you find help you in your job?
KD: Outside of VFX, I find that photography, cinematography, drone cinematography, and video games all help shape my creativity and skills. Photography sharpens my understanding of light, color, and composition, which are essential when crafting realistic effects. Cinematography improves my sense of framing and movement, ensuring the effects I create flow naturally with live-action scenes. Drone cinematography offers fresh perspectives, especially on large-scale environments and dynamic aerial shots, which I often apply to complex sequences. Playing video games fuels my creativity through their immersive worlds and storytelling, constantly inspiring new ways to engage and transport audiences. These activities help keep me sharp and inspired for the work I do.
Your resume is super impressive; you’ve worked on a ton of hit shows like Abbott Elementary, The Boys, One Piece, The Orville… to just name a few. Tell me about some favorite memories you have working on these incredible shows.
KD: Thank you! I've been fortunate to work on some incredible shows, and each has left me with standout memories. For One Piece, one of the highlights was creating the massive CGI human sequence with 18,000 characters in the first episode. As a fan of the anime, being able to contribute to such an epic scene was both challenging and deeply rewarding. Seeing how it all came together on screen was a dream come true. Working on The Boys was equally thrilling. I got to create intense effects like building destruction, sparks, and body-morphing superpowers. The high-energy, over-the-top style of the show made the whole experience exciting, especially when the VFX blended seamlessly with the live-action footage. On The Orville, I worked on the space battle sequences, which involved creating effects like spaceship lasers, explosions, and the destruction of spaceships. It was a blast to work on such large-scale sci-fi visuals, and ensuring everything fit perfectly into the live-action scenes was a rewarding challenge. For Abbott Elementary, my work was more subtle but equally important. I was responsible for creating CG elements that blended invisibly into the live-action footage, which reminded me how even the smallest details can elevate a show’s quality. Each project brought its own creative and technical challenges, and that's what made them so memorable. It’s been a rewarding experience to contribute to such diverse and exciting stories.
How would you say the industry has changed since you started three years ago, especially after the Writers and SAG-AFTRA strikes?
KD: The VFX industry has definitely evolved over the past few years, especially with the rise of streaming platforms and the demand for high-quality visual effects across more projects. When I started, VFX was already a key part of storytelling, but now it feels like almost every major production relies heavily on it to create immersive worlds. The pace has also picked up, with quicker turnarounds required for streaming content, which has pushed us to be even more efficient while maintaining the same level of quality.
The Writers' and SAG-AFTRA strikes had a noticeable impact as well. With many productions paused or delayed, VFX studios saw projects either put on hold or extended, giving us more time to fine-tune our work. However, it also shed light on broader industry issues, such as fair compensation and working conditions not just for actors and writers, but for everyone in the production pipeline, including VFX artists. The strikes highlighted how interconnected all the creative departments are, and how important it is for everyone to receive recognition and fair treatment. As the industry gets back on track, I think there will be a renewed focus on improving the working conditions for all creatives involved, which is a positive step forward. Despite the challenges the strikes posed, they also opened up important conversations about creating a better working environment for everyone in the industry.
Where do you see the VFX side of the industry going in the future?
KD: The VFX side of the industry is rapidly evolving, and I believe we’re entering an exciting phase. Advancements in real-time rendering, virtual production, and AI-driven tools are already changing how visual effects are created. These technologies enable faster, more efficient workflows, allowing artists to see changes in real time, which significantly speeds up the production process. Another major trend is the integration of VFX with virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR). As these technologies become more prevalent in entertainment, the demand for immersive and interactive visual experiences will continue to grow. VFX will play a crucial role in crafting these engaging worlds, whether for gaming, interactive experiences, or live events. Overall, the future of VFX looks incredibly promising. New tools are empowering artists to push creative boundaries and produce even more complex and breathtaking visuals. As these technologies evolve, I see the role of VFX expanding and becoming even more integral to storytelling across various mediums.
The entertainment industry as a whole is a really tough industry to be in right now. What advice do you have for someone who’s new to the industry?
KD: The entertainment industry can be tough, but it’s also full of opportunities if you’re willing to put in the effort. My top advice for newcomers is to stay adaptable and open to learning. VFX tools and techniques are always changing, so keeping up with the latest technologies and trends is crucial. Networking is also key. Building relationships in the industry can open doors and help you grow. Don’t hesitate to reach out to others for advice or to collaborate on smaller projects. Lastly, be patient and persistent. It’s easy to get discouraged when success doesn’t come quickly, but it often takes time to build a career in this field. Keep refining your skills, embrace feedback, and stay passionate about your work. If you’re genuinely invested in what you do and willing to adapt, you’ll find your place in the industry.
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