On-Set VFX Decision: 'Fix it in post' is a lie, and every supervisor should call it out.

The phrase 'fix it in post' is a dangerous and often lazy mantra that supervisors should actively dismantle on set. It’s not a solution; it’s a deferred problem that inevitably costs more time, money, and creative integrity than addressing the issue correctly during principal photography.

I consistently advocate for on-set solutions, even when they seem inconvenient, because the alternative, relying on VFX to magically 'fix' poorly captured elements, is a false economy. For example, a poorly lit green screen, rather than a quick adjustment to a key light, becomes a laborious roto nightmare. A flickering practical effect, instead of a simple cable check, turns into hours of painstaking comp work to stabilize and color match. These aren't 'fixes'; they're damage control operations that drain resources from genuine creative enhancements.

While I understand that production moves fast and compromises are sometimes necessary, allowing 'fix it in post' to become the default response cripples a project. It implies that VFX is an endless, effortless magic wand, rather than a skilled craft that thrives on collaboration and good source material. When do you draw the line between a viable VFX solution and an abdication of on-set responsibility?