CSI:Miami takes a unique approach to special effects, or “f/x”. Unlike other shows, even within the franchise, the CSI:Miami f/x department has gone in-house. According to CSI:Miami visual effects supervisor Larry Detwiler, “On this show we’re right down the hall from the director and the writers and can talk to them instantly about anything that’s going on.”

The visual effects team reads the scripts, then consults closely with the writers, the camera people, the props department and everyone else involved, on how they can create the best effects for the show. “It makes things a lot more collaborative and easier in terms of getting the look that’s wanted for the effects,” says Detwiler of the unique in-house approach.

Prior to going over to work on Miami, Detwiler was f/x supervisor on the original CSI. “The typical pattern would be that you hired a vendor or post-production house and give them a particular budget to do all the visual effects for an episode,” Detwiler explains. “When I was working on the Vegas show, a typical amount was $50,000 and they would do everything for you. Having someone off site doing everything can mean a lot of back and forth at times in terms of getting things to look how you want them to look.”

The f/x team works under some serious deadlines. “On average, we’re looking at 30 shots, which means the compositors can be at their desks for 12 to 15 hours a day,” says Detwiler. According to lead compositor Robert Konuch, “You sort of ramp up to the workload, and then it becomes like a muscle that just gets stronger. But it’s a lot more fun when you’re right there with the rest of the crew everyday.”

To read more, head over to Variety.

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