Jeff Desom: VFX Innovator and Jury Member at Luxembourg City Film Festival
Renowned writer, director, and visual effects artist Jeff Desom gained acclaim for his extraordinary work on the Oscar-winning film, Everything Everywhere All at Once, directed by the Daniels. Currently, he splits his time between Los Angeles and Luxembourg, where he skillfully merges live-action footage, found elements, and digital effects to create captivating visuals.
Return to Luxembourg: A Notable Jury Role
Desom is back in his homeland, serving on the jury of the 15th Luxembourg City Film Festival, led by acclaimed filmmaker Mohammad Rasoulof. He shares the jury panel with notable figures such as screenwriter Paul Laverty and Danish actress Trine Dyrholm, adding to the festival’s prestige.
Change of Trajectory Following Major Success
The monumental success of Everything Everywhere All at Once has significantly transformed Desom’s career. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter at the festival, he shared, “Visual effects were not my main focus; I was primarily a director and writer, and VFX was merely a tool for my projects. Until collaborating with the Daniels, my VFX work had been limited to my own projects and music videos.”
A Tailored Approach to Visual Effects
The creative team behind the film sought a personalized approach to visual effects. Desom recounted, “The Daniels put together a specialized VFX team, including Zak Stoltz as the visual effects supervisor and fellow directors Ben Brewer and Ethan Feldbau. They chose to forgo engaging a large VFX company, which they had experienced previously with mixed results, in favor of a team that could maintain close collaboration.”
Ambitious Undertakings and Project Scale
With 500 complex visual shots requiring meticulous attention, Desom noted the monumental scale of the project, stating, “We were just four individuals tackling an enormous task. The film was unlike anything I had worked on before, filled with innovative ideas and demanding execution. The first rough cut revealed its ambition; it was both exhilarating and intimidating to be part of it.”
Formation of Pretend VFX: A New Frontier
Following the film’s success, Desom and his collaborators restructured their approach to new projects by establishing Pretend VFX. “We realized the vast opportunities that emerged from our collective work, so we decided to streamline our requests to focus on projects that genuinely interest us,” he remarked. Despite his busy schedule, he teased that he is currently engaged in two feature films, details of which remain under wraps.
The Impact of AI on Visual Effects
As discussions on AI continue to dominate Hollywood, Desom shared his thoughts on its implications for the VFX industry. He commented, “Currently, traditional methods remain the most reliable and trusted. Directors often require specific edits, and the current AI capabilities do not yet match the precision and effectiveness of legacy systems.” However, he acknowledged the inevitable rise of AI technologies, stating, “A transformative change is on the horizon, and AI will ultimately reshape roles across the board, from cinematographers to directors.”
Ethical Considerations Surrounding AI
Desom raised important questions about the ethical dimensions of AI usage in creative fields. “As AI tools continue to evolve, there is a concern regarding the replacement of original creative work with outputs derived from prior human influence. If we reach a point where AI generates final products without clear origins, we must grapple with ownership and ethical implications,” he warned.
A Call for Responsible AI Use
Concluding his thoughts on AI, Desom emphasized the need for cautious adoption of these technologies, reiterating, “While AI is heralded as a groundbreaking tool, it’s crucial to adopt a thoughtful approach. Engaging with AI is not without its risks; we must remain vigilant about how technology can inadvertently reinforce unethical practices.”