Life and VFX: Two Sides of the Same Cinematic Coin – Pete Draper Reveals the Magic at IFFI 2025
Life and VFX: Two Sides of the Same Cinematic Coin – Pete Draper Reveals the Magic at IFFI 2025
#IFFIWood, 26 November 2025
Life and VFX aren’t just partners—they’re cosmic co-conspirators. One frames reality, the other bends it; together, they turn imagination into pure widescreen wonder. And today at IFFI 2025, the man who dances effortlessly between these two worlds—VFX alchemist Pete Draper—lit up the festival with his electrifying masterclass on “The Complete VFX Production Magnanimity.”
With a career spanning over 25 years and hits like Baahubali, RRR, and Eega to his name, Draper delivered a whirlwind deep dive into the art and craft of blockbuster visual effects—from pre-production scheming to post-production polish. Filmmakers, VFX artists, and cinema enthusiasts flocked to hear the secrets of turning imagination into jaw-dropping reality.
“The best VFX doesn’t replace reality—it enhances it. Every costume, camera angle, prop, and frame counts. Leaving decisions for post-production invites chaos, cost overruns, and endless iterations,” Draper declared.
He showcased the meticulous planning that fuels cinematic magic: scripts broken down scene by scene, lensing and camera moves pre-visualized, props and digital doubles scanned to millimeter precision, and layered shots choreographed for maximum impact, even controlling fire and crowds in real time. Draper highlighted on-the-spot problem solving with a waterfall sequence, where key beats were blocked, tested, and locked in minutes, saving months of post-production.
Collaboration is the real superpower. Tight coordination between Directors, Cinematographers, and VFX teams ensures every shot aligns with the artistic vision. Draper emphasized that even small details like logging lens metadata or clearing stray cables can save days of post-production headaches.
From storyboards to iterative concept work, crowd simulations to seamless digital extensions, Draper proved that VFX is as much about strategy, planning, and teamwork as it is about pixels.
Concluding his session, Draper reminded attendees: “Plan smart, log everything, and collaborate like your film depends on it—because it does. VFX is magic, but only if you orchestrate it with care.”
About IFFI
Born in 1952, the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) stands tall as South Asia’s oldest and largest celebration of cinema. Jointly hosted by the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India and the Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG), State Government of Goa, the festival has grown into a global cinematic powerhouse—where restored classics meet bold experiments, and legendary maestros share space with fearless first-timers. What makes IFFI truly sparkle is its electric mix—international competitions, cultural showcases, masterclasses, tributes, and the high-energy WAVES Film Bazaar, where ideas, deals and collaborations take flight. Staged against Goa’s stunning coastal backdrop from November 20–28, the 56th edition promises a dazzling spectrum of languages, genres, innovations, and voices—an immersive celebration of India’s creative brilliance on the world stage.
For more information, Click on:
IFFI Website: https://www.iffigoa.org/
PIB’s IFFI Microsite: https://www.pib.gov.in/iffi/56/
PIB IFFIWood Broadcast Channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaEiBaML2AU6gnzWOm3F
X Handles: @IFFIGoa, @PIB_India, @PIB_Panaji
* * *
PIB IFFI CAST AND CREW | Ritu Shukla/Sayyid Rabeehashmi/Swadhin Shaktiprasad/Darshana Rane | IFFI 56 – 090