Meet Siddharth Baxi | FX Technical Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Siddharth Baxi and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Siddharth, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
Growing up, Hollywood films and video games had always fascinated me, but I never imagined myself working in the creative industry. As a computer science major, I planned to pursue a career in data science. In my 3rd year, the subject of Computer Graphics was introduced to us. I had a particular liking for this subject. I dove headfirst into the subject and developed my first-person shooter video game using Unreal Engine. The project helped me understand a few concepts used in CG (computer graphics), such as simple 3d modeling, particle effects, and AI logic. However, during this time, I stumbled upon a gripping documentary that showcased the incredible work of Industrial Light and Magic in revolutionizing the film industry through Computer Generated Imagery. The creativity that went into creating the stunning special effects, sparked my aspirations to pursue a career in visual effects.
To pay equitable heed to the overall development of my artistic skills, I pursued a course in Art and Design. I also dabbled in photography to develop my eye and study how natural phenomena looked when photographed. I developed a keen liking for monochrome photographs, as they allow us to focus on the intricate details without getting distracted by colors. To get acquainted with the basics of working with a 3D software, I started using Blender 3D to create some simple 3D models and FX simulations (smoke, fire, water, dust, etc.) My growing interest in FX simulations prompted me to conduct extensive research on schools offering specialized courses in this domain. After going through and comparing the course contents of various VFX schools, I concluded that Lost Boys Studios in Vancouver, Canada was the ideal choice for me.
After a year of rigorous training at Lost Boys Studios in FX workflows with the software Houdini, I secured my first job as an FX TD with Anibrain, one of the top VFX studios in India. FX Artists/TDs (Technical Directors) are required to have excellent technical knowledge of all the tools used, but they also need to be creative in the process. Pursuing a career in FX provides exactly the career choice I envisioned for myself.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
For the past four years, I have worked in the VFX industry as part of the FX Department. During my career, I have taken on multiple roles in FX. I have worked as an FX Artist, Technical Director, and Lead on various projects. My responsibilities as an FX TD(Technical Director) or Artist include creating explosions, sand simulations, water simulations, rain, snow, atmospheric fog, destruction, procedural plant generation, and most other stuff in a feature film or episodic that involves a bit of physics simulation.
I started my career working for Anibrain, one of the biggest VFX studios in India. We worked on many challenging projects, and I was fortunate enough to be given the opportunity to handle complex shots so early in my career. I learned a lot of valuable skills at Anibrain, which helped me advance in my career.
After moving on to my next job at MPC/MRX, I started as an FX Artist and later became a Key FX Artist/Lead. I focused on refining my artistic and technical skills during my time there. I not only improved my FX abilities but also had the opportunity to lead several projects. One of the most significant projects I worked on was Ron Howard’s Thirteen Lives, where my team and I successfully delivered over 200 FX shots, including extensive underwater simulation work. As a lead, I also worked as a lead on Viking Valhalla season 2, where we delivered a highly complex sequence of large-scale water simulation shots within a tight deadline, which helped me enhance my leadership skills. Collaborating with a large team and coordinating with multiple departments and cross-site supervisors also improved my communication, collaboration, and time management abilities. My time at MPC/MRX has had the most significant impact on my career so far.
After working at MPC/MRX, I had the opportunity to work at Monsters Aliens, Robots, and Zombies, also known as MARZ, based in Toronto. I worked on exciting projects such as The Creator, the Percy Jackson TV series, and Apple TV’s Invasion. Working at MARZ was challenging yet a great learning experience for me.
Throughout my career, I’ve gained some valuable insights. It’s important to build strong connections with our teammates, continuously acquire new skills, and generously share our knowledge and experience with others. The journey so far has been full of challenges, but the incredible support of my friends, family, and teammates always keeps me going and motivates me to push past my limits.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Pune is a vibrant city in India rich in culture and history. It boasts numerous museums, hill forts, temples, and delicious food options, making it a great place to live in.
Our itinerary begins with a deep dive into Pune’s historical and cultural treasures. We’ll start with Shaniwar Wada, an 18th-century palace and fort showcasing the grandeur of Maratha architecture. Next, we’ll visit the Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum, a living testament to the Indian way of life, housing a vast collection of sculptures, paintings, war weapons, musical instruments, door frames, and ornaments. Our journey through time concludes with a visit to the Aga Khan Palace, a majestic structure set amidst sprawling gardens, bearing witness to India’s struggle for freedom.
While exploring the city’s local attractions, we cannot miss out on the opportunity to indulge in some of the most famous eateries and restaurants this city offers. Our culinary journey begins with a visit to the iconic Good Luck Cafe, the oldest Irani cafe in Pune, which has been serving the city’s residents since 1935. The cafe’s rich history and unique identity make it a must-visit spot for any foodie out there. Next, we head to Dorabjee’s and Son’s Restaurant, established in 1878 and one of the oldest restaurants in the city. The restaurant’s minimalistic decor and old-world charm take us on a trip down memory lane. And, of course, we cannot end our food spree without a visit to the legendary “The Place – Touche the Sizzler,” which has been satisfying the city’s cravings since 1971. This iconic restaurant is a true godfather of sizzler eateries in the city and one we cannot miss out on!
Our adventure continues with a visit to the famous hill forts on the city’s outskirts, such as Sinhagad (‘Fort of the Lion’) and Raigad(‘King of Forts’). These forts, steeped in history, offer a breathtaking view of the mountain ranges and are surrounded by lush greenery, making them a perfect escape from the urban hustle.
We would end the trip with a hearty breakfast of the incredibly popular Misal Pav dish (sprouted bean curry and buns) and a trip to the renowned Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati Temple, which is a symbol of good luck and fortune in the city.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
First and foremost, I would like to give a huge shoutout to my mom, dad, family, and friends, who have supported me tremendously in every possible way in my journey. The next big shoutout goes to my supervisors, leads, seniors Sandeep, Himanshu, Paolo, Ronak, Robin, and Utkarsh, and my mentors from Lost Boys, Patrick, Harrison, and Robert. I am grateful to them for their constant guidance and support and for having confidence in me throughout my career. Last but not least, I would like to give a shoutout to all the amazing team of artists I have had a chance to work and collaborate with at MPC. Without their support, delivering all the massive shows I’ve had the fortune to lead would not have been possible.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sidharth_baxi?utm_source=qr&igsh=MXJiMW53MHo5NmJkNQ==

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/siddharth-baxi-39552a111/

Other: https://vimeo.com/819027492
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm13318982/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_0_nm_8_q_siddharth%2520baxi

Image Credits
Personal Photo: Ajinkya Munge
Additional Photos: Siddharth Baxi