From Real-Time to Real Leadership: Sam Tack’s Journey as a 3D Lead in VFX
APRIL 8 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.
From Paint to Pixels
Before diving into the world of real-time workflows and LED volumes, Sam Tack was a Scenic Artist on some of the biggest blockbusters to come out of New Zealand—Avatar and The Hobbit Trilogy among them. That early experience gave him a deep appreciation for hands-on craftsmanship, but it also sparked something bigger: a desire to blend physical and digital storytelling.
“I was always drawn to the evolving world of digital effects,” says Sam. “So, I went on to study 3D animation and VFX, and that’s where everything started to shift.”
Shift it did. From Weta Digital to The Third Floor, Sam has contributed to The Rings of Power, Mortal Engines, War for the Planet of the Apes, and Avatar: The Way of Water. With each project, he’s carved out a space as a specialist in Virtual Production.
Creating with Curiosity
Since joining Cause and FX, Sam has continued to push the boundaries of real-time production—building a new VAD pipeline from the ground up and applying his skills across virtual production and post.
“The best part of my role is the variety,” he says. “I get to tackle creative and technical challenges at every stage of the pipeline, and collaborate with some incredibly talented people.”
One recent challenge that stands out? Creating real-time environments for final pixel LED volume projects.
“We needed to strike the perfect balance between visual fidelity and performance,” Sam explains. “That meant refining our asset pipeline and leaning into Unreal Engine’s real-time capabilities.”
Chris Lyne, Head of 3D, sees that same mindset in action every day:
“Sam has accelerated the development of our real-time VAD capabilities. His high energy and ‘everything is possible’ approach guides our team through uncharted territory.”
And when it comes to the CFX values, Sam’s approach is a perfect match.
“We’ve seen how Sam embodies #CreatingWithCuriosity when he’s asked to do something he doesn’t know how to do—and returns the next day with answers,” Chris adds.
Looking Ahead
Now in his 3D Lead role, Sam is excited about what’s next—both for himself and for the evolution of real-time storytelling at Cause and FX.
“I’m loving the work I’m doing as a 3D Generalist and Lead Artist,” he says. “I’m especially keen to take on more complex LED volume projects and keep developing tools that make our work even better.”
When he’s not experimenting with real-time tools or streamlining pipelines, Sam’s often unwinding with his family, modding retro consoles, or exploring a new obscure hobby.
His dream project? A stop-motion film that blends physical craft with virtual production—a fitting mash-up for someone who started with paintbrushes and now works with pixels.
