Accolades continue to accumulate for FuseFX and its work on ABC's Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. The lead visual effects provider for the action series, the team from the Burbank-based studio is currently nominated for an Emmy Award for Outstanding Visual Effects; the second straight year they've been so honored. They've also tallied three V.E.S. Award nominations and an Online Film & Television Award nomination over the course of the show's first two seasons.
FuseFX is by far the best visual effects company working in television, says Mark Kolpack, VFX Supervisor for ABC Studios, producers of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. They have the best pipeline and the best talent pool. Their organization and attention to detail is outstanding.
The studio aims high in producing effects for the show. FuseFX VFX Supervisor Kevin Lingenfelser says their standard for comparison are not other television shows, but rather other Marvel productions. The work we do has to fit in with the Marvel cinematic universe, he explains. What fans see on television has to feel like it's on par with what they see in theaters. I like to say, we do Marvel for television.'
Of course, FuseFX has to do its work much faster than its feature film counterparts. The studio typically has a mere 10 or 12 days to turnaround the effects for an episode upon receipt of background plates. That can include the creation of character-driving effects animation, photo-realistic vehicles, CG set extensions, pyrotechnics and atmospheric effects, among others.
Now into its third season, the production of the series has assumed almost military precision with VFX involving intensely close collaboration between Kolpack and his production crew on the one hand, and Lingenfelser and his team of supervisors, artists and producers on the other. Work begins before the start of live action production with Kolpack breaking down the script and storyboarding complex effects shots.
One of my big things is to add an element of humanity to the visual effects, Kolpack observes. When there are people in the shot, it helps bridge the gap for the audience. It gives them something they can to relate to.
As production elements arrive at FuseFX, individual shot tasks are assigned to artists depending on their expertise. Lingenfelser notes that 20 to 25 artists may be involved in a single episode. Temp shots are produced within a day or two so that they can be made available to the production's editorial and sound teams. As shots are finalized they move up the chain to Kolpack and ultimately the show's producers for comment and approval.
FuseFX is especially proud of its work in crafting certain signature elements of the show, including the highly specialized vehicles and other paramilitary gear used by S.H.I.E.L.D. agents. Chief among them is the Bus, a specialized Boeing C-17 Globemaster III modified to serve as the group's Airborne Mobile Command Station. FuseFX artists spent months designing and modeling the aircraft, which appeared in most episodes during the first two seasons. Ironically, the episode that drew the Emmy nomination includes the last appearance of the Bus. It's hit by a missile during an assault on an arctic research facility operated the villainous organization HYDRA.
The shooting down of the Bus is accomplished as a completely CG sequence. Pieces of wreckage catch fire and burn as they fall to earth, recalls Lingenfelser. There is also a smaller plane that flies through the airborne debris. It's a very complex sequence, combining CG, effects simulations and pyrotechnics.
(FuseFX hasn't had much time to mourn the loss of the Bus as they are already busy designing and building its even more impressive replacement. It debuts in season three.)
Lingenfelser credits the studio's ability to complete complicated effects sequences on a tight schedule to the bond that's developed between production and visual effects. Mark and his producer Sabrina Arnold have their end down tight, he says. Their notes are concise and complete. When we get that information, we know exactly what we're in for. It simplifies everything from bidding on forward.
Kolpack says that credit is also due to the commitment and enthusiasm of the team at FuseFX. I can feel how excited and appreciative they are to work on our project, he concludes. They are my ace in the hole. They deliver every time.
View FuseFX's work on Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. HERE: https://vimeo.com/137202905
About FuseFX
FuseFX is a full-service visual effects studio serving the television, feature film and advertising industries from facilities in Burbank, New York and Vancouver. Founded in 2006 by David Altenau, the company encompasses a staff of more than 100 highly talented and experienced artists, producers and support personnel. Using its refined, custom database and pipeline, the company can accommodate numerous, high shot-count productions while delivering high-quality, on-time results.
For more information, visit http://fusefx.com/
###
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
01/06/2026
January 6 2026, 05:30 (PST) Dolby Sets the New Standard for Premium Entertainment at CES 2026
Throughout the week, Dolby brings to life the latest innovatio...
02/05/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
01/05/2026
January 5 2026, 18:30 (PST) NBCUniversal's Peacock to Be First Streamer to ...
01/04/2026
January 4 2026, 18:00 (PST) DOLBY AND DOUYIN EMPOWER THE NEXT GENERATON OF CREATORS WITH DOLBY VISION
Douyin Users Can Now Create And Share Videos With Stun...
19/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/03/2026
How Chris Bolte Builds the Sound of PlayStation Games Chris Bolte '16 is a technical sound designer at Sucker Punch Productions, where he helps create the...
18/03/2026
Newly named chief product officer (CPO), Larissa G rner Meeus will return to Net Insight on May 4.
Larissa G rner Meeus will become CPO of Net Insight on May 4...
18/03/2026
SVG Europe's The Football Summit 2026 explored how the sports broadcasting i...
18/03/2026
The 2026 NAB Show kicks off one month from today and SVG is once again set to cover the show from every angle. SVG's SportsTech@NAB Show Blog is now live - ...
18/03/2026
(L-R) The cast and crew of Dead Lover at The Ray Theater for its premiere at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. (Photo by Robin Marshall/Shutterstock for Sundan...
18/03/2026
Yamaha C7 captured in Nashville
Wiltone Productions have announced the release of Music Row Piano, a deeply sampled Yamaha C7 piano library that's been ...
18/03/2026
Bass-enhancement plug-in upgraded
Along with a steady stream of new releases, Techivation have recently been revisiting some of the older plug-ins in their ...
18/03/2026
Mix-reference plug-in overhauled
iZotope's powerful mix-referencing plug-in has just reached its third major version, and now boasts a new capture proce...
18/03/2026
Latest EZKeys 2 expansion arrives
Toontrack's staggering collection of EZKeys 2 expansions has grown once again, and the latest instalment delivers a on...
18/03/2026
Jess Ho explores the politics of food in new SBS Audio podcast For The Culture
18 March, 2026
Media releases
New SBS Audio podcast For The Culture, hosted ...
18/03/2026
Future-ready broadcasts with ATSC 3.0 and enhanced services from Rohde & Schwarz...
18/03/2026
London Calling - When The Industry Convened to Help Streaming Find its MoJo In this blog, Laura Rognoni reflects on key discussions from the Connected TV World...
18/03/2026
SMPTE Unveils 2026 NAB Show Educational Presentations
Brie Clayton March 18, 2026
0 Comments
SMPTE , the home of media professionals, technologists, a...
18/03/2026
Auditel Ad Campaign Shot on Blackmagic PYXIS 12K
Brie Clayton March 18, 2026
0 Comments
LED wall virtual production blends 12K open gate acquisition w...
18/03/2026
Brainstorm transforms productivity and sustainability with Suite 7 at NAB Show 2...
18/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
18/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
18/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
18/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
18/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
18/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
18/03/2026
SMPTE , the home of media professionals, technologists, and engineers, today unveiled its educational presentations for the 2026 NAB Show. This year SMPTE will ...
18/03/2026
Maxon, maker of powerful, approachable software solutions for creators working in 2D and 3D design, motion graphics, visual effects, gaming, and more, today ann...
18/03/2026
Digital Alert Systems
Preview
2026 NAB Show
April 19 - 22
Booth C3452
At the 2026 NAB Show, Digital Alert Systems will showcase Version 6.0 of its DASDEC ...
18/03/2026
Setplex today announced that it will showcase its complete, fully integrated Zapflex platform for the first time at the 2026 NAB Show, introducing powerful new ...
18/03/2026
THIS ANNOUNCEMENT RELATES TO THE DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION THAT QUALIFIED OR MAY HAVE QUALIFIED AS INSIDE INFORMATION WITHIN THE MEANING OF ARTICLE 7(1) OF THE ...
18/03/2026
COW Jobs: Seeking DP for Low Budget Dramedy - Chicago
Brie Clayton March 17, 2026
0 Comments
Seeking Director of Photography for Low Budget Dramedy Fe...
18/03/2026
COW Jobs: Seeking Gaffer for Low Budget Dramedy - Chicago
Brie Clayton March 17, 2026
0 Comments
Seeking Gaffer for Low Budget Dramedy Feature Film- I...
18/03/2026
COW Jobs: Seeking Location, Sound for Low Budget Dramedy - Chicago
Brie Clayton March 17, 2026
0 Comments
Seeking Location/Sound for Low Budget Dramed...
18/03/2026
COW Jobs: Seeking Child Wrangler for Low Budget Film - Chicago
Brie Clayton March 17, 2026
0 Comments
Seeking Child Wrangler for Low Budget Dramedy Fe...
18/03/2026
Calrec Redefines Broadcast Workflows at NAB 2026 with its Most Powerful Hardware...
18/03/2026
Oscar Nominated Two People Exchanging Saliva Posted with DaVinci Resolve Studio
Brie Clayton March 17, 2026
0 Comments
DaVinci Resolve Studio handle...
18/03/2026
Boston Conservatory Presents Celebrated Musical Satire Urinetown Performances for this Center Stage production will take place at Boston Conservatory Theater ...
18/03/2026
Charlie Puth Joins Switched on Pop at Berklee NYC The Berklee alum spoke with host and Berklee NYC professor Charlie Harding for a live taping, answering audi...
18/03/2026
X-Rite Pantone Demonstrates Advanced Color Management Solutions to Support Smart...
18/03/2026
Wednesday 18 March 2026
BAFTA winner James McAvoy to star in Sky Original serie...
18/03/2026
Wednesday 18 March 2026
Sky Sports and Zuffa Boxing announce multi-year agreement for the UK and Ireland
Sky Sports and Zuffa Boxing have announced a new mult...
18/03/2026
Wednesday 18 March 2026
Sky Unveils Poster and Trailer for Original Feature Fil...
Accolades continue to accumulate for FuseFX and its work on ABC's Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. The lead visual effects provider for the action series, the team from the Burbank-based studio is currently nominated for an Emmy Award for Outstanding Visual Effects; the second straight year they've been so honored. They've also tallied three V.E.S. Award nominations and an Online Film & Television Award nomination over the course of the show's first two seasons.
