Featured Artist: Siddharth Baxi, Pune, India
Siddharth Baxi 2025
Siddharth Baxi , Senior Houdini TD at SuperDuper3
Siddharth is an FX Technical Director (FX TD) specializing in Houdini, with a track record of contributing to over 17 feature films and episodic productions.
His expertise spans a wide range of FX disciplines, including USD workflows with Solaris, automation and tool development using PDG, and high-end simulations such as FLIP fluids, RBD destruction, pyro, vellum, and particle effects.
With deep knowledge in procedural shader development, modeling, and abstract FX, Siddharth combines technical precision with artistic vision to push the boundaries of visual effects.
What experiences and inspirations led you to pursue a career in visual effects?
From a young age, I was captivated by Hollywood films and video games, yet I never considered a career in the creative industry. As a computer science major, I initially aimed for data science.
However, during my third year, I discovered Computer Graphics and instantly fell in love with it! I eagerly immersed myself in the subject and developed my very own first-person shooter video game using Unreal Engine. This project allowed me to grasp several key concepts in computer graphics, including basic 3D modeling, particle effects, and AI logic.
However, during this time, I also stumbled upon a gripping documentary titled "Creating the Impossible," which showcased the incredible work of Industrial Light and Magic (ILM) in revolutionizing the film industry through Computer Generated Imagery (CGI). The documentary provided fascinating insights into the meticulous process of blending practical effects and digital effects with cutting-edge technology, highlighting iconic films such as "Transformers" and "Star Wars." The behind-the-scenes footage revealed the immense creativity and technical skill required to design stunning visual effects that captivate audiences.
This inspired me and sparked my aspirations to pursue a career in visual effects, as I became eager to learn the artistry and innovation that bring fantastical worlds to life on the big screen.
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What led you to transition into a career in VFX?
Coming from a technical background of Computer Science, I decided to explore my creative side by pursuing a course in Art and Design.
In addition, I experimented with photography to sharpen my eye and understand how natural phenomena look when captured through the lens. Monochrome photography became a favorite of mine, as it allows us to focus on intricate details without the distraction of colors.
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​To familiarize myself with 3D software, I began using Blender 3D to create simple models and special effects simulations, such as smoke, fire, water, and dust. My growing fascination with these effects drove me to research schools offering specialized FX courses.
After carefully comparing the courses from various VFX schools, I determined that Lost Boys Studios in Vancouver, Canada, was the perfect fit for my requirements.
After dedicating a year to rigorous training at Lost Boys Studios, where I developed my skills in FX workflows and explored the intricacies of Houdini,
I successfully secured my first job as an FX Technical Director (TD) with Anibrain, recognized as one of the leading VFX studios in India.
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How has your career journey shaped your growth as an FX artist and leader in the VFX industry??
I began my career at Anibrain, one of the largest VFX studios in Pune, India.
Reflecting on those early days, I feel grateful to have been entrusted with complex shots right from the start. The challenges we faced taught me invaluable skills that laid the foundation for my career.
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Transitioning to my role at MPC/MRX, I initially joined as an FX Artist before advancing to Key FX Artist/Lead.
This phase of my journey was transformative as I dedicated myself to honing both my artistic and technical abilities. I took immense pride in leading several projects, with one of the highlights being my work on Ron Howard's Thirteen Lives. Together with my team, we delivered over 200 FX shots, which included extensive underwater simulations.
My role as a lead on Viking Valhalla season 2 was another milestone, where we tackled the challenge of delivering large-scale water simulation shots under a tight deadline. It was an incredible opportunity to grow my leadership skills while collaborating with a talented team and coordinating with various departments and supervisors across different locations. This experience not only sharpened my technical expertise but also deepened my communication, collaboration, and time management abilities.
After my time at MPC/MRX, I moved on to MARZ (Monsters, Aliens, Robots and Zombies) in Toronto. The projects I worked on there, including The Creator, the Percy Jackson TV series, and Apple TV’s Invasion, were both exciting and demanding, pushing me to grow even further.
Every step of my journey has been filled with learning experiences that I cherish deeply.
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Can you share a memorable moment in your VFX career?
I’ve found that one of the most fulfilling experiences in the VFX industry is seeing your name in the credits of a show. That recognition not only validates your hard work but also earns the respect of your peers, which is such a rewarding feeling.
The Witcher games have always held a special place in my heart. They played a significant role in inspiring me to pursue a career in the creative yet highly technical field of VFX. I had the incredible opportunity to work on Season 2 of the Witcher TV series on Netflix with MPC, and it truly felt like a dream come true.
Being entrusted with the look development of the Voleth Meir entity for the shots managed by the Bangalore team was an experience I’ll always treasure.
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Seeing my name credited for VFX on Witcher and sharing that moment with my loved ones while watching it on Netflix was a rewarding experience I will cherish forever.
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Can you share a challenging experience that shaped your mindset and personal growth?
I remember being in 10th grade and visiting an electronic megastore where I tried out the Playstation 3 while playing God of War 3. I was captivated and begged my parents to buy me one, as they agreed to get it for me if I scored 90% or above in my board exams.
I put in so much effort over six months and managed to achieve a score of 89.64%. When I asked my parents for a PS3, they turned me down, explaining that 89.64% wasn’t quite 90%. At the time as a kid, I felt really devastated and disheartened.
But as I look back on that experience, I realize it taught me an important lesson: even when you come close to your goal, a setback can still feel like a failure.
It was a tough moment, but it helped me understand the importance of striving for excellence. More than just reaching a number, it reinforced that skills and dedication are what truly enable you to earn what you desire in life.
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What are your go-to tools for VFX, and how do they enhance your workflow?
I use Houdini as my main software package and complement it with either Blender or Unreal Engine based on the project I am using it for. Houdini is widely recognized as a leading software package in 3D design and visual effects, particularly due to its highly procedural and sandbox approach, which can be applied throughout various stages of the production pipeline. This versatility enables users to adopt innovative workflows that may not be achievable in other 3D software.
Snow Simulation (Vellum Grains): Snow Scattering
Inspired by Steven Knipping’s Applied Houdini series, this snow simulation recreates a stunning online reference. Using Vellum grains and a custom SOP solver, the snow naturally breaks into chunks as it reaches the roof’s edge.
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Procedural Geometry: Microscopic Daisy bud
One key advantage of using Houdini is its ability to foster strong problem-solving skills, both technical and creative. The principles learned in Houdini are applicable across different 3D packages, making it a valuable tool for artists looking to expand their skill set.
Additionally, Houdini offers seamless integration with real-time software like Unreal Engine and Unity. This capability allows me to leverage the strengths of both Houdini and these real-time engines, enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of the projects across different domains.
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Houdini Digital Destruction (Rigid Body Dynamics): A Houdini-built house asset was fractured using custom tools, with precise constraint triggers for realism. Bending floors and roofs used cone twist constraints, while debris and dust were added via acceleration-based sourcing.
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Procedural Shader Development: Azurite Mineral
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Can you share your experience with GridMarkets and how it impacted your workflow and project delivery?
I’ve been aware of GridMarkets since my early days in the visual effects (VFX) industry, having heard from various colleagues and sources about its user-friendly interface and the robust capabilities it offers for simulation and rendering workflows.
My first opportunity to utilize GridMarkets came during a project at work where we were tasked with rendering a complex FX portal that involved multiple layers for a sequence of lengthy shots.
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GridMarkets proved to be an invaluable resource in this situation.
The setup process was remarkably straightforward; within minutes, I was able to configure the project to suit our specific needs. One standout feature was how GridMarkets automatically replicated my folder structure, making it effortless to retrieve all of my rendered files. This level of organization greatly simplified our workflow.
Additionally, GridMarkets provided me with extensive control over the machine configurations, allowing me to optimize the rendering process according to the demands of each shot. I could easily adjust the number of parallel renders based on our project time-line, which significantly increased our efficiency.
Thanks to GridMarkets, we were not only able to render a complex sequence but also delivered it on time, meeting our project deadlines without compromising quality.
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This experience truly highlighted the advantages of using GridMarkets in simulation and rendering.
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Do you have any final thoughts or words you'd like to share?
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.