Uploaded January 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
SUBSCRIBE on YouTube: bit.ly/Zp70T4 and RING THE BELL!
*FULL STORY* here: bit.ly/PlanSfxProjectYT
“If you have that connection with clients, have empathy, and you treat them as you would your friends, that relationship is going to be a lot more enriching. It’s going to be better for both of you, and it’s going to be a much, much longer relationship through the years.” - Fon Davis
In this excerpt from Modern Miniature Effects Part 1: Project Planning & Acquiring 3D Models, renowned FX artist and creative director Fon Davis shares his tried and true advice on *how to plan an SFX project from start to finish* with clients (in this case, a miniature animatronic octopus attacks a miniature container ship, at the request of Stan Winston School). Highly recommended for anyone who wants to work in the film industry!
You will learn:
- How to build and grow your client base
- How to communicate project requirements, including the *who, what, when, where, why, and how many* critical questions
- How to overcome project challenges, and why good communication is important, even when things aren't going as planned
- How to manage client expectations, including gathering all the information needed to come up with a more accurate project estimate
Once you and your client have a mutual understanding of the project scope, you can proceed with executing the plan and preparing an estimate.
Learn more about Fon Davis, creative director at Fonco Studio: bit.ly/FDavisBioYT
Watch the complete Modern Miniature Effects course series:
Part 1 - Project Planning & Acquiring 3D Models: bit.ly/ModernMiniaureFXPt1YT
Part 2 - 3D Printing, Laser Cutting & Fiberglass Lay-Up: bit.ly/ModernMiniaureFXPt2YT
Part 3 - Ship Assembly, Paint & Weathering: bit.ly/ModernMiniaureFXPt3YT
Part 4 - Octopus Assembly & Final Shoot: bit.ly/ModernMiniaureFXPt4YT
Check out the #MiniLesson blog here: bit.ly/PlanSfxProjectYT
About Stan Winston School:
Stan Winston School is the streaming platform where anyone can learn from the world's best FX artists & creators. Subscribers get unlimited access to instruction from Hollywood's leading pros and classes across a vast range of specialties. Stream hundreds of courses anywhere, anytime, on mobile, desktop, and tablet.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
JOIN the Stan Winston School Community!
stanwinstonschool.com
tiktok.com/@stan_winston_school
facebook.com/StanWinstonSchool
instagram.com/stanwinstonschool
pinterest.com/stanwinston
Visit our WEBSITE: stanwinstonschool.com
SUBSCRIBE to #SWSCA on YouTube: bit.ly/Zp70T4
SUBSCRIBE on YouTube: bit.ly/Zp70T4 and RING THE BELL!
*FULL STORY* here: bit.ly/PlanSfxProjectYT
“If you have that connection with clients, have empathy, and you treat them as you would your friends, that relationship is going to be a lot more enriching. It’s going to be better for both of you, and it’s going to be a much, much longer relationship through the years.” - Fon Davis
In this excerpt from Modern Miniature Effects Part 1: Project Planning & Acquiring 3D Models, renowned FX artist and creative director Fon Davis shares his tried and true advice on *how to plan an SFX project from start to finish* with clients (in this case, a miniature animatronic octopus attacks a miniature container ship, at the request of Stan Winston School). Highly recommended for anyone who wants to work in the film industry!
You will learn:
- How to build and grow your client base
- How to communicate project requirements, including the *who, what, when, where, why, and how many* critical questions
- How to overcome project challenges, and why good communication is important, even when things aren't going as planned
- How to manage client expectations, including gathering all the information needed to come up with a more accurate project estimate
Once you and your client have a mutual understanding of the project scope, you can proceed with executing the plan and preparing an estimate.
Learn more about Fon Davis, creative director at Fonco Studio: bit.ly/FDavisBioYT
Watch the complete Modern Miniature Effects course series:
Part 1 - Project Planning & Acquiring 3D Models: bit.ly/ModernMiniaureFXPt1YT
Part 2 - 3D Printing, Laser Cutting & Fiberglass Lay-Up: bit.ly/ModernMiniaureFXPt2YT
Part 3 - Ship Assembly, Paint & Weathering: bit.ly/ModernMiniaureFXPt3YT
Part 4 - Octopus Assembly & Final Shoot: bit.ly/ModernMiniaureFXPt4YT
Check out the #MiniLesson blog here: bit.ly/PlanSfxProjectYT
About Stan Winston School:
Stan Winston School is the streaming platform where anyone can learn from the world's best FX artists & creators. Subscribers get unlimited access to instruction from Hollywood's leading pros and classes across a vast range of specialties. Stream hundreds of courses anywhere, anytime, on mobile, desktop, and tablet.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
JOIN the Stan Winston School Community!
stanwinstonschool.com
tiktok.com/@stan_winston_school
facebook.com/StanWinstonSchool
instagram.com/stanwinstonschool
pinterest.com/stanwinston
Visit our WEBSITE: stanwinstonschool.com
SUBSCRIBE to #SWSCA on YouTube: bit.ly/Zp70T4
