For over two decades, Engine Room Hollywood has been a stalwart in delivering visual effects for films, networks, and streamers. Helmed by veteran VFX supervisors Dan Schmit and Michael Caplan, this independent and bespoke studio has built a trusted reputation in both the entertainment and advertising industries.
Engine Room has successfully navigated technological shifts and industry-wide disruptions, standing out in an exceedingly competitive segment of the industry.
Since its inception, the post house has collaborated on hundreds of movies and episodic series, delivering over 50,000 unique VFX shots. Recent projects include Intrepid’s Life of Chuck, Netflix’s You People and Mother of the Bride, Apple’s Bad Monkey, Neon’s Cuckoo, ABC’s The Rookie, and Showtime’s Ghost of Beirut.
Beyond top-tier creative and technical abilities, the secrets to the success of Engine Room are multi-layered. Looking back on any VFX project, two things are most likely to be remembered: the quality of the work and the experience of getting there. Take a look at their 2024 reel below:
REELated:
“In an incredibly competitive creative industry, the work is paramount, but our longevity and success are also very much due to our dedication to customer service and a good client experience,” says Co-Founder Michael Caplan. “There are lots of companies doing great work, but we strive to reduce the pain points.”
Dan Schmit adds, “It’s all about collaboration. Visual effects is a process of revision; you can’t just buy finished VFX shots. Filmmakers must embrace the process and approach their VFX with a collaborative spirit. The work itself may still be technically and creatively challenging, but the shots will ultimately be much better, and the process can be really satisfying, inspiring everyone to do their best work. Plus, clients have to want to come back.”
Staying nimble and lean has also been key to the company’s survival, maximizing on-screen production value for their filmmaker partners. Engine Room were early adopters of maintaining a smaller in-house creative and management staff while working with remote artists who have the required skills but are not on the company payroll until the next project arrives. Most of their work is done with artists based in California, many residing in LA.
As visual effects production requires a unique mix of artistic and technical skills, picking the right artists is essential for any VFX supervisor. The right artist might complete a shot in a few days, while others might toil for weeks without achieving the desired result. This is a critical lesson in delivering great VFX shots and staying in business. As a company started and run by VFX supervisors, Engine Room has recruited a trusted, talented, and highly efficient production team for their clients to tap into.
“Think of a VFX studio like a rock band, and a VFX shot like a song,” notes Schmit. “Musicians playing together for the first time might sound pretty good, but it’s rare for them to make an instant hit. But, if the band has been touring for 20+ years, they will instinctively make beautiful music right out of the gate, and everyone can have fun doing it. It’s the 10,000 hours principle in action.”
As the entertainment industry moves on from the latest series of disruptions, it is companies like Engine Room that will survive and thrive. They wouldn’t be around if their efficiencies didn’t allow the LA-based company to actively compete with tax-incentivized locations. Filmmakers wanting to ensure that their vision makes it to the screen will be well-served to partner with those who have a solid track record. This approach helps avoid the common pitfalls in VFX production while keeping the focus on the integration of work, which ultimately is what it’s all about.
Follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram
