“A story is only as good as your ability to tell it. The aim isn’t to pack your video with effects, but to use the right ones to tell your story. If your intention is clear and your story is strong, visual effects become a powerful tool to help people connect with it.” This is the mindset filmmaker and visual effects (VFX) creator Ignace Aleya uses to approach every video he makes.
Ignace has built a successful VFX tutorial channel packed with creative experiments and guides, all made possible by his clever, intentional use of effects. But what sets him apart isn’t just his technical skill. It’s how he makes each effect serve a purpose.
In this interview with Uppbeat, Ignace shares how to use visual effects in a way that actually makes your content better, from creating standout moments to knowing when to keep things simple. Whether you’re just starting with VFX or want to level up your edits, this one’s for you.
YouTuber Ignace Aleya specialises in visual effects tutorials for Adobe After Effects and Premiere Pro, drawing in over 500,000 subscribers. He co-founded Filmbro.com with Arnaud Melis, sharing courses and assets designed to make the life of video editors easier.
- Support your story, don’t distract from it
- Create moments that leave an impression
- Keep your visual effects simple and achievable
- Help your content to stand out
1. Your visual effects should support the story, not distract
Before he built a YouTube channel with half a million subscribers, Ignace honed his craft as a visual effects artist. Across his career, Ignace has learned that VFX should always serve the story, not distract from it.
IA: “Visual effects aren’t just about making your content look cool or high production. They should add something that elevates your story, or create an emotion. When I first had to learn how to create visual effects, I wasn’t always thinking about story or intent. But that’s what you need for your video. It’s not just about creating cool effects for the sake of it.”
If a visual effect doesn’t support the idea or feeling behind your video, it can start to feel like noise. Even the most impressive-looking moment can fall flat if it doesn’t mean anything. Or as Ignace puts it, “VFX should enhance the idea you’re already trying to express.”
Ignace often asks himself a simple question when adding VFX: ‘would this moment still work without the effect?’ If the visual is essential to the impact, then it’s doing its job.
Ignace’s Key Takeaway:
Don’t add effects just for the sake of it. Make sure every VFX moment supports your idea, your tone, or your story.
2. Create moments that leave an impression
Not every second of your video needs visual effects. In fact, Ignace often focuses on creating single moments that stick in the viewer’s mind and VFX gives him the tools to do it.
IA: “It comes down to creating something that makes the audience curious to watch more.”
Ignace consistently uses visual effects to grab his audience’s attention – whether it's by stopping a fighter jet mid-air in a Short, or opening his Adobe After Effects tutorial by making his car disappear. In both cases, the effects are designed to give viewers something that draws them in and keeps them hooked on your content.
“You can have a clean, cinematic video, but if there’s nothing that makes people go ‘whoa,’ it’s forgettable. That little entertainment value that makes your video fun and gives people a reason to watch.”
These standout moments don’t need to be complex or time-consuming to make an impact. They just need to feel intentional – like they belong in the world you’ve built.
Ignace’s Key Takeaway:
Use VFX to create one strong, memorable moment. It doesn’t need to be big – it just needs to feel deliberate.
3. Keep your visual effects simple and achievable
The idea of using visual effects can feel intimidating, especially if you’re working solo or on a tight budget. But Ignace is quick to point out that you don’t need huge tools or complicated software to make something great.
IA: “I’m proud that I made certain effects completely on my own. In the movies they’ll have about 20 people in the pipeline to create one shot. But if you do your research on how these effects are filmed and edited, you can re-create them by yourself.”
Ignace leans on achievable techniques, creative problem-solving, and years of practice to create each of his videos. The goal isn’t to impress other editors – it’s to make something the viewer connects with.
IA: “When I create something for YouTube, I have to think about the result that I want. Sometimes the effects in my tutorials are very advanced, but I have to create them in an easy way so people can follow along.”
And for those just getting started? Start small, keep it intentional, and don’t overcomplicate things. You can find easy-to-use assets – including some made by Filmbro – to drag and drop into your next project in Uppbeat’s VFX library.
Ignace’s Key Takeaway:
You don’t need big-budget effects. Even simple animations and overlays can have a huge impact when used intentionally.
4. Help your content stand out with scroll-stopping visuals
In a world where people scroll through content at lightning speed, Ignace believes strong visuals are one of the best ways to get your video noticed.
IA: “The beginning of your video is critical. If you start your video with something that has absolutely zero value for the audience, you'll lose a lot of people in the first few seconds – even if you start with something that makes you feel proud or happy."
The solution? For Ignace, “Good visuals are what get people to stop scrolling.” The right visual effects at the right time have the power to capture viewers’ attention and, in his words, “really make them feel something.”
To stop the scroll, think about what your viewer needs to see first in order to care about the rest of your video. Whether it’s a high-impact moment or a subtle emotional cue, visual effects can go a long way to convincing someone to stick around.
Ignace’s Key Takeaway:
Visuals are your first chance to get someone to stop scrolling. Use VFX to spark curiosity and earn attention early.
Make memorable edits with visual effects
Ignace shares that the most effective visual effects aren’t flashy, they’re intentional. They let you grab people’s attention, create unforgettable moments, and help your videos stand out in a crowded feed. Whether it’s a subtle detail or a high-impact sequence, the right effect at the right time can be the difference between someone scrolling past and watching to the end.
If you’re ready to add that kind of impact to your content, explore Uppbeat’s library of visual effects. From cinematic overlays to bold transitions, you’ll find easy-to-use assets that help your videos hit harder without overcomplicating your edit.
