How Stranger Things' SFX Artists Created Vecna | Vanity Fair

Stranger Things makeup designer and visual effects artist Barrie Gower breaks down the extensive work that went into bringing season 4's gruesome villain Vecna to the screen.

Season 4 Volume 1 of Stranger Things is currently available and streaming on Netflix; Season 4 Volume 2 of Stranger Things releases July 1.



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[JadenSmithEyes]

I 100% thought they used another actor to voice Vecna.
Hearing Jamie talk in his voice while in the makeup chair genuinely gave me chills.

[oOcitizenOo]

Jamie's performance is no doubt phenomenal, but knowing the fact that it took six+ hours everyday all just to turn him into Vecna and that Jamie didn't even say a word complaining about the costume and how challenging it is not only to play in it but simply move and do some basic stuff, just proves he is more than a 'great' actor. Props to him!

[whatthehellisdis]

THE WAY THEY DIDN'T CGI VECNA IS SO AWESOME. MY RESPECT FOR THE CREATIVITY AND EFFORT FOR THIS SHOW 😭

[RhinoBarbarian]

I love the fact that Vecna has two different sized hands. Just like a clock.

[xxmajesticwolfxx]

Hollywood in general should start using more of a mix between pratical effects and CGI really great job on how Vecna came out.

[lizzard]

I remember hearing Jamie cried after his last scene, and for only being on set for around 20 days he really connected with this role. By seeing the process you can tell why. He literally watched himself transform into a different being for 8 hours a day like an Animorph book or something

[SleepFan]

Vecna's practical effects are incredible. What Jamie went through is insane though. Hearing his deeper Vecna voice in costume is neat

[trinaq]

Major kudos to the prop department on creating a scary Vecna costume. It definitely must have been super uncomfortable for Jamie to wear, though!

[honeybee]

Jamie deserves every award there would be to give for this season. He did an absolutely outstanding job as Vecna, not only acting as him but going through the creation process of the SFX as well.

[michaeltylermedia]

I really hope that Vecna continues to be the main villain for season 5. It really feels as though the kids are in danger with him. He’s a great addition to the lore/story!!

[Hiyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa]

I wish he danced as Vecna in the makeup room, the meme potential would be massive

[how_tragic]

The voice isn’t edited??? That’s very impressive

[itsethanbryant]

At this point I’m convinced they built an actual upside down

[charliecheadle]

The fact that Jamie did the Vecna voice got me-😭


Also this makes me so proud and more appreciating of the people behind the scenes to make everything onset flawless.

[Kiaraofthepridelands]

Vecna is one of hollywood's best villans. mad respect to stranger things and the people behind it!
honestly can't wait for vol.2

[itsisabel]

I honestly thought Jamie just wore a motion tracking suit and animators drew Vecna on top of him because this prosthetic looks so unreal. Props to all the makeup/SFX artists for making such a cool character design come to life.

[fdm]

Loved that they got Robert England as the father on the show, with Vecna being Freddy's spiritual son/successor. Using guilt instead of fear to taunt his victims.

[cherrybxmb]

I did not know Jamie actually was under the Vecna suit AND he did the voice for Vecna. Wow he’s amazing. He deserves an Emmy for sure.

[doctorlazy]

I really did think that they has a voiceover! I did not have a single clue that Jamie really did talk. Its so incredibly amazing to hear and see that an actor who has a rather light voice can get it to be so deep and mysterious.. It is so incredible and I can't imagine another actor ever play this role. The Duffer brothers really outdid themselves!
And on top of it all, Jamie is such a good actor and I really think that he should have more movies where he is the lead role..-
Jamie has such talent and when he gets a role, he really gets himself and his mindset to be that very different person, his personality completely changes and you cant recognize the sweet and fun guy we see in the interviews!
This is such a cool thing to watch, the progress that they all had to go through to make such a realistic creature- make him come to life, it is so amazingly done, making Vecna come to life and get him to look so real. Making us see the hate and possibly the pain Vecna might have felt, it all becomes so real!

-Well I don't think anyone is going to read this, but this is something I needed to say when I got the chance. This has been a good season of Stranger Things, and I really hope to see more of the cast and Jamie/Vecna...:)

[MichaelHolmgaard]

I think it's amazing that Vecna was 100 procent Jamie! He could've easily asked for a body double to do these straining scenes with the costume on, but he did it all by himself, even the voice!