From Artist to 3D Lead in VFX: Kris Slagter’s Career at Cause and FX
APRIL 1 2025
At Cause and FX, leadership is about contribution, collaboration, and lifting others up—regardless of role or job title. In this mini-series, we’re shining a spotlight on two team members, Sam Tack and Kris Slagter, who both stepped into 3D Lead roles in November. Their journeys reflect what’s possible when talent meets trust, and we’re proud to share how they’re helping shape the future of VFX with us.
A Career Built on Curiosity and Craft
When Kris Slagter set out to become a graphic designer, he didn’t expect to find himself shaping fantastical worlds and creatures in 3D. But one student film—Wizard’s Duel by Steve Lambert—changed everything. Inspired by what was possible in animation, and surrounded by the energy of early 2000s Wellington, Kris pivoted from graphic design to 3D animation while studying at Massey University.
At the same time, Peter Jackson’s The Return of the King hit cinemas. “I had no idea you could make films in New Zealand back then,” Kris recalls. “When I found out what Peter Jackson and Weta were doing, I really wanted to give it a go.”
He’s been doing just that ever since.
Kris’s work spans previsualizations and final CG renders for major shows, stunt integration, and massive environment design—including memorable moments on Rings of Power and Ash vs Evil Dead. Now a CG Generalist and newly appointed 3D Lead at Cause and FX, Kris thrives on variety. From rigging characters to lighting scenes, he’s all about the craft.
“Life at Cause and FX is great,” he says. “I get to work on a wide variety of things—from animation to character builds, through to rendering final shots. It’s been a blast.”
One of his favourite projects? Star Trek. “Building starships is always fun,” he grins.
But Kris isn’t just about pixels and polygons—he’s also a problem-solver. A recent challenge involved creating a massive render for a Star Trek scene to play on an LED wall.
“We had to come up with clever ways to reduce texture count while still adding detail where needed,” he explains. “Without the extra render power and teamwork, we couldn’t have pulled it off.”
Leading with Excellence
Since stepping into the 3D Lead role, Kris has continued to lead by doing—mentoring others, fine-tuning processes, and raising the bar across the Asset team.
“Since joining the team, Kris has elevated the Asset department through his exceptional attention to detail and dedication to mentoring junior team members,” says Chris Lyne, Head of 3D. “His niche levels of knowledge outside of VFX speak to how deeply he immerses himself in a topic and his work.”
He’s a walking example of Cause and FX values in action—curiosity, collaboration, and creative excellence.
“Through some of our biggest and most technically challenging projects, Kris has worked closely with other departments to overcome seemingly impossible challenges,” Chris adds. “He truly embodies our values of #ExcellenceByDesign and #WeAreInThisTogether.”
What’s Next?
Kris is excited to keep pushing the asset team to deliver exceptional CG, while continuing to explore his own creative passions—including a dream to finish his own short film someday.
“I just love building environments, characters, and creatures,” he says. “And I’m looking forward to enhancing the quality of work we produce at Cause and FX.”
Off the clock, you’ll find him enjoying time with his three boys—usually outdoors, doing something fun. “Spending time with family is how I unwind after a big project,” he says.
And when asked about his unexpected talents? “I kinda turned my talent into my job,” he laughs. “I guess I’m a jack of all trades—but I discovered I had a knack for 3D, and that’s what stuck.”
