VFX on Indie Budgets: What's Actually Possible

The democratization of VFX is one of the most exciting stories in our industry. Tools that once required six-figure licenses now run on laptops. What used to take a team of twenty takes a team of three.

At Realtec, we regularly deliver broadcast-quality VFX on budgets that would have been impossible in 2015. Sky replacements, set extensions, digital doubles, complex greenscreen composites — all achievable for the cost of a decent car.

The trick is knowing what to spend on and what to skip. Hire a skilled compositor, invest in good reference footage, and don't try to fake things the camera could capture practically. Every great VFX shot starts with a great plate.

If you've dismissed VFX as too expensive for your project, get a second opinion. The answer in 2025 is almost always: we can do that, and you can afford it.