Learn how to read and interpret the structured VFX Breakdown generated by AI Dude.
After you run a VFX analysis, AI Dude creates a structured breakdown inside the VFX tab. Each identified VFX moment appears as a separate item linked to its scene.
What appears in the VFX Breakdown table
For each scene, AI Dude may identify one or multiple VFX items.
For example, in JOKER — Scene 119 (INT. TALK SHOW SET, STAGE — STUDIO 4B — CONTINUOUS), the breakdown may contain 5 separate VFX entries.
Each row shows:
Sequence ID (for example, VFX-001).
Short description of the effect.
Complexity category (A / B / C).
Estimated number of shots.
Cost tier indicator.
Hero marker, if the effect is production-critical.
You can expand any item to view detailed analysis.
What you see when expanding a VFX item
When you expand an effect, the App opens a detailed panel with multiple tabs:
Overview.
Costs.
Creative.
Technical.
Approaches.
Each tab provides a different perspective on the VFX moment.
Overview
The Overview tab explains why the script moment qualifies as VFX and how complex it is.
You can see:
Confidence score (for example, 95%).
Explanation of the VFX moment, based on the script excerpt.
Factors increasing confidence.
Factors decreasing confidence.
Conditions that would change the estimate.
Shot range (minimum / likely / maximum).
Base shot count and adjusted shot count.
Screen time and VFX penetration rate.
Methodology explanation, describing how estimates were calculated.
Script excerpt that triggered the classification.
VFX classification type (for example, Hero gore / head blow-off (practical + digital augmentation)).
Sequence grouping, if the effect belongs to a larger VFX sequence.
This tab answers:
Why is this VFX, and how heavy is it?
Costs
The Costs tab models financial impact based on shot complexity.
You can see:
Estimated cost range.
Shot distribution by complexity tier.
Cost breakdown per tier.
Sensitivity to rate assumptions.
If you adjusted assumptions in AI Dude using prompts such as:
"Recalculate using $500 per CG shot and $250 per cleanup shot."
"Assume heavy CG vehicle work for all crash shots."
The updated logic appears here.
This tab answers:
What might this cost under current assumptions?
Creative
The Creative tab focuses on narrative and visual importance.
You can see:
Narrative role of the effect.
Whether it is a hero moment or background enhancement.
Visual emphasis considerations.
Coverage implications (close-ups vs wide shots).
Editorial sensitivity and continuity impact.
This tab helps directors and producers evaluate:
How important is this VFX creatively?
Technical
The Technical tab breaks down implementation requirements.
You can see:
Required VFX techniques (compositing, matchmove, CG extension, simulations, etc.).
Practical vs digital split.
Cleanup requirements.
Tracking or rig removal needs.
Simulation types (smoke, debris, blood, etc.).
Safety-driven digital augmentation considerations.
This tab answers:
What will the VFX team need to execute?
Approaches
The Approaches tab outlines alternative execution strategies.
You can see:
Lower-cost execution options.
Higher-fidelity cinematic options.
Hybrid practical + CG scenarios.
Trade-offs between realism and budget.
Scope changes depending on creative decisions.
For example, in JOKER Scene 119:
A fully practical prosthetic approach may reduce digital scope.
Heavy close-up coverage increases compositing and CG augmentation needs.
This tab answers:
How can scope shift based on production choices?
How results are structured
AI Dude:
Uses structured screenplay data.
Groups related effects into sequences when relevant.
Maintains scene numbers and metadata.
Saves results directly to your project.
VFX Breakdown does not modify screenplay dialogue or scene content.
Good to know
Each project has its own VFX analysis context.
You can re-run analysis with updated assumptions at any time.
Large scripts may process asynchronously in the background.
The App updates the VFX tab automatically when results are ready.