Slovak who conquered the world of film effects - MZV EN
Slovak who conquered the world of film effects
As a child, Vladimír Valovič was intrigued by drawing his own comics and graffiti. Later, he started to learn how to use a graphics editor and create 3D graphics, which was not as easy in 1990s as it is now that tutorials and information are everywhere. But he persisted and made a name for himself in Hollywood.
He became a visual effects artist and worked on blockbuster movies such as Justice League, Aquaman, Gravity, Harry Potter and even several Marvel movies, including Guardians of the Galaxy and Doctor Strange.
He admits that he never thought he would end up creating visual effects for movies. He expected advertisements or trailers, but after finishing a visual effects academy in London and creating his own portfolio, studios started to notice him. But it took years of hard work.
Currently Vladimír Valovič is a lead compositor with over 20 years as a digital artist. As a compositor, his job starts at the end of the post-production phase, where he receives the raw rendering of layers and scenes, putting everything together and making it look as realistic as possible.
He admits that he never thought he would end up creating visual effects for movies. He expected advertisements or trailers, but after finishing a visual effects academy in London and creating his own portfolio, studios started to notice him. But it took years of hard work.
Currently Vladimír Valovič is a lead compositor with over 20 years as a digital artist. As a compositor, his job starts at the end of the post-production phase, where he receives the raw rendering of layers and scenes, putting everything together and making it look as realistic as possible.
The VFX artist's work can also be seen, for example: in the last Harry Potter movie, where Voldemort's face and body was disintegrating; in the water scenes in Aquaman; The Finest Hours, various scenes with Rocket in the Guardians of the Galaxy; Baby Groot eating candy in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2; or an abandoned Russian city; the Batmobile on the road; or a falling chimney in Justice League.
Speaking of Justice League, Valovič left a small "easter egg" in the movie in the form of his name on a car registration plate.
Creating visual effects is not an easy task, and depending on what a client wants, it can take weeks and even months of hard work. The effects in the 90-minute Gravity took more than three years to create. Valovič does not work alone. Now that he is lead compositor, he usually has several dozen people under him. The more demanding the movie, the more studios and people are involved. For example, more than a thousand artists may work on a Marvel movie.
Vladimír Valovič left Slovakia years ago. Thanks to his effort, determination and creativity, he has made it in an extremely tough competitive field. The movies he worked on have received many awards, including the BAFTA and the Academy Award. Even though he spent many years abroad, he returned home during the pandemic. The main reason was to be close to his long-time friends and family. In addition to what he achieved in the film industry, he started the Compozitive online school, where he passes on his experience to young Slovaks, the next generation of VFX artists.
Photos: Vladimír Valovič
