Top 30 Visual Effect Companies in Chicago
December 2022Looking for a top visual effect studio in Chicago?
If you've ever watched a Jurassic Park movie and wondered at how real the dinosaurs appeared or cringed as a dragon flew and breathed fire in Game of Thrones, then you've experience stellar visual effects (VFX). This computer-generated imagery (CGI) takes a scene in a video and adjusts the image to create an alternate reality. It's how actors can stand in front of a blank, green screen to record but the audience sees them in a spectacular location.
If your next video project requires VFX and you need more than out-of-the box animation and compositing software, find a visual effects studio on The Manifest.
To assist you in your search for a partner, we’ve compiled this list of the top visual effect companies in Chicago. Browse descriptions, feedback, and awards to find which can best suit your company’s needs. If you need more support, tell us about your project, and we'll match you with recommended companies.
List of the Best Chicago Visual Effect Studios
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1
- $25,000+
- 10 - 49 employees
- Chicago, IL
Social Driver is a digital agency founded in 2011 with a team of over 10 members. Based in Washington, DC, they offer web design, social media marketing, and digital strategy solutions for clients ranging from small firms to large businesses in the fields of health care and nonprofit, among others.
Clients
- American Nurses Association
- The Education Trust
- Elizabeth Dole Foundation
- Goodwill Industries International
Industries
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Social Driver provided PR and social media consulting services to an international nonprofit organization. Their work included making templates, graphics, and hosting webinars.
"They’re proactive, and I feel cared for on a strategic and personal level."
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2
- $10,000+
- 2 - 9 employees
- Chicago, IL
Umault is a B2B video ad agency based in Chicago. Founded in 2010, Umault exclusively specializes in video marketing services for mid-sized and larger businesses. Services include creative development, video production, and distribution.
Clients
- Dell Technologies
- MassMutual
- Fresenius Kabi
- James Hardie
Industries
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Umault produced a three-minute video testimonial for the client to promote one of their new products. They consulted on the concept and stylistic choices, in addition to providing production services.
"The piece they created was powerful and well-done."
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3
- $5,000+
- 2 - 9 employees
- Chicago, IL
Skalawag Productions is a small video production agency. Established in 2009, the firm is in Chicago, Illinois. Their team specializes in video production, advertising, and content marketing.
Clients
- Chomps
- Breville | Polyscience
- Vera Bradley
- Kraft
Industries
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A CPG business hired Skalawag Productions for video content. They were given a brand and photography guide, and held strategic planning sessions to narrow down a list of shots before a virtual video shoot.
“We’ve seen an increase in the amount of engagement we’ve had on social media.”
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4
- $10,000+
- 10 - 49 employees
- Chicago, IL
Demo Duck is an animated explainer video company based in Chicago. Founded in 2011, Demo Duck's team of 16 employees offer video production services for clients from the advertising, education, and media industries.
Clients
- GEICO
- Canon
- Crohn's and Colitis Foundation
- Netflix
Industries
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Demo Duck produced an informational video to describe a business's fraud prevention services. This involved writing a script, creating designs and a storyboard, and producing animation.
"I was impressed by their incredible efforts, creativity, and professionalism at every stage of the process."
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5
- $50,000+
- 10 - 49 employees
- Chicago, IL
Sarofsky is a design and creative firm based in Chicago with more than 10 experts. They have offered video production, broadcast video, and graphic design solutions since their founding in 2009. They work with clients in the fields of advertising, arts, and consumer products.
Clients
- Marvel Studios
- Warner Brothers
- Lionsgate
- High Dive
Industries
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Sarofsky provides graphic and editing services for an advertising firm. They help the client with projects by putting together graphics, color, and CG elements. They also research graphical treatment options.
“The quality of their work execution is always top-notch, and we trust them with our creative direction.”
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6
- $10,000+
- Freelancer employees
- Chicago, IL
Attack Studios is a video production company based in Chicago. Founded in 2013, the team of 2 specializes in video production, broadcast video and advertising.
Clients
- AAA
- FEMA
- Leo Burnett
- Allstate
Industries
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Attack Studios produced three videos. One was a video game trailer, the second a trailer based on a convention, and the third, an animated video for a pre-existent voiceover.
"The communication and the way Jerry builds confidence with his clients is impressive."
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7
- $5,000+
- 10 - 49 employees
- Chicago, IL
Indirap Productions is a small Chicago, Illinois-based video production agency. Founded in 2010, the team offers video production, branding, and graphic design.
Industries
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A real estate company hired Indirap Productions to create lifestyle tour videos for more than ten properties. The team worked with a local talent agency to have actors that matched demographics
"The quality of their product and the depth of their creative talents have remained unmatched."
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8
- $5,000+
- 10 - 49 employees
- Chicago, IL
Yellow Box is a digital agency founded in 2010 with fewer than 50 employees. They offer digital strategy, email marketing, and web development solutions from their office in Chicago. They work primarily with small and medium-sized businesses.
Clients
- The University of Illinois System
- BCI Central
- Continental Motors
Industries
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Yellow Box developed a content strategy to promote the business in 24 different markets. The team also managed the social elements of the project, working on a Facebook campaign.
"I would rank Yellow Box very highly for the level of engagement and awareness we have received for the price we paid."
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9
- $10,000+
- 2 - 9 employees
- Western Springs,
Headquartered in Western Springs, Illinois, Caymanite Productions is a video production company. The firm focuses on video production, advertising, and broadcast video and is small.The firm was established in 2021.Industries
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Caymanite Productions directed and produced a 30-second promotional video for a tech marketplace. They were tasked with setting up the studio, providing the equipment, and handling all post-production work.
“I’d say working with uncertainty was one of Caymanite Productions’ strongest suits.”
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10
- $5,000+
- 2 - 9 employees
- Chicago,
2 East 8th Productions, LLC is a full-service media production house based in Chicago. The production house, founded in 2016, has a team of less than ten that provides video production services to midmarket and small companies in various industries that include advertising & marketing, arts & entertainment, and automotive.
Clients
- Gino's East of Chicago
- The Second City Training Center
- The Comedy Bar
- SMS Assist
Industries
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2 East 8th Productions, LLC was hired by a film and media production company to produce a web series. The team was covered pre and post-production including casting, shooting, and sound and video editing.
"They are easy to contact when needed."
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11
- $1,000+
- 2 - 9 employees
- Chicago,
Thatch Films is a studio based in Chicago and founded in 2015. With no more than 10 employees, they specialize in video production and broadcast video solutions for small and mid-market firms in the fields of advertising, arts, and media.
Clients
- CASHE LLC
Industries
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Thatch Films produced a one-minute promotional video for a cashmere clothing company. From that video, they created a 30-second cut. The team was in charge of the filming, music, and editing.
"I would hire them a million times over and recommend them to everybody."
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12
- $5,000+
- 2 - 9 employees
- Chicago, IL
Big Teeth Productions is a small video production company. Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, the firm was launched in 2005. Their services include video production, advertising, and content marketing.
Visit SiteIndustries
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13
- $5,000+
- 2 - 9 employees
- Chicago, IL
E3M Creative is a small video production company located in Chicago, Illinois; Indianapolis, Indiana; Delphi, Indiana and Lafayette, Indiana. Established in 2019, the team specializes in video production and advertising.Visit SiteIndustries
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14
- $5,000+
- 10 - 49 employees
- Chicago, IL
Established in 1984, Production Craft Digital Video is a video production agency. The firm provides video production, broadcast video, content marketing, and public relations and has a small team. The firm is in Chicago, Illinois.Visit SiteIndustries
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15
- $10,000+
- 10 - 49 employees
- Chicago, IL
Studio Sage is a video production agency and broadcast video company. The Chicago, Illinois-based firm was established in 2020. The small team focuses on video production and broadcast video.Visit SiteIndustries
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16
- $25,000+
- 10 - 49 employees
- Chicago, IL
Launched in 2008, ODDMACHINE is a small video production agency. Their services include video production. The company is based in Chicago, Illinois; Chicago, Illinois and Burbank, California.Visit SiteIndustries
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17
- $10,000+
- 2 - 9 employees
- Chicago, IL
Jump Point is a video production agency established in 2016. Located in Chicago, Illinois, their small team offers video production and corporate photography.Visit SiteIndustries
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18
- $5,000+
- 2 - 9 employees
- Chicago, IL
Pond Ripple Media is a Chicago, Illinois-based video production agency. The small company was established in 2017. Their team specializes in video production.Visit Site -
19
- $10,000+
- 2 - 9 employees
- Chicago, IL
Alrojo Films is a small video production company. Founded in 2007, the company is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. Their team focuses on video production and broadcast video.Visit SiteIndustries
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20
- Undisclosed
- 10 - 49 employees
- Chicago,
TimeZoneOne Inc is a Chicago, Illinois-based graphic design company. The small company was founded in 1993. Their team specializes in graphic design, marketing strategy, public relations, search engine optimization, and more.Visit Site -
21
- $5,000+
- 50 - 249 employees
- Chicago,
Headquartered in New York, New York; Chicago, Illinois and Parsippany-Troy Hills, New Jersey, JConnelly is a public relations firm. The midsize team offers public relations, video production, content marketing, marketing strategy, and more and was established in 2003.Visit SiteIndustries
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22
- $5,000+
- 2 - 9 employees
- Chicago,
Video production company ReelPaws is based in Chicago, Illinois. The agency offers video production, corporate photography, marketing strategy, content marketing, and more and is small.The agency was launched in 2012.
Visit SiteIndustries
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23
- $1,000+
- 2 - 9 employees
- Chicago,
Joey Lamp Video Creative is a video production agency. They focus on video production and were founded in 2013. Their small team is in Chicago, Illinois.Visit Site -
24
- $1,000+
- 2 - 9 employees
- Chicago, IL
Noonchorus Productions is a video production agency established in 2015. Their small team is located in Chicago, Illinois. The company offers video production.Visit SiteIndustries
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25
- $5,000+
- 2 - 9 employees
- Burr Ridge, IL
Barcelona Creative Group is a branding agency. They provide branding, digital strategy, social media marketing, marketing strategy, and more and were launched in 1990. Their small team is in Burr Ridge, Illinois.Visit SiteIndustries
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26
- $10,000+
- 10 - 49 employees
- Chicago, IL
Business consulting company Synergy Consulting Group is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. The small team specializes in business consulting, marketing strategy, digital strategy, ux/ui design, and more and was launched in 2004.Visit SiteIndustries
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27
- $5,000+
- 2 - 9 employees
- Chicago, IL
Imagination to Capture is a video production company headquartered in Chicago with additional offices in Lombard, McHenry, and Wauconda, Ill. It was founded in 2015 and currently has a team of 2 employees. Imagination to Capture is entirely dedicated to video production services. They primarily work with small businesses.
Clients
- Navistar
- Edisun Microgrids
- Glassdoor
Industries
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Imagination to Capture produced a video using drone footage for highlighting the company’s ability to tackle multifamily housing projects as well as their many other capabilities.
"Their execution was perfect."
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28
- $5,000+
- 10 - 49 employees
- Chicago, IL
Sosani Influencer Agency, a social media marketing agency, was founded in 2017. Their small team is headquartered in Los Angeles, California; Chicago, Illinois and Atlanta, Georgia. Their services include social media marketing, video production, branding, advertising, and more.Visit SiteIndustries
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29
- $10,000+
- 2 - 9 employees
- Wilmette,
Coat of Arms, a video production agency, was launched in 2010. They are located in Helvetia, West Virginia and Wilmette, Illinois and have a small team. Their services include video production, advertising, branding, broadcast video, and more.
Visit SiteIndustries
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30
- $5,000+
- 10 - 49 employees
- Palatine, IL
Pepper Group is a marketing firm headquartered in Palatine, Ill. The 15-person team launched in 1994 and offers branding, direct marketing, PR and corporate communication, and marketing strategy. Their clients work in a variety of sectors, including IT, financial services, and manufacturing.
Clients
- B2B marketing is our specialty. From technology and consulting to manufacturing
- visit our website to see examples of the wide range of clients we support.
Industries
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For more than a decade, Pepper Group has coordinated several web development and product marketing projects for a FinTech company. Deliverables include web designs and refined product offering statements.
"We’ve been happy with Pepper Group’s work for 10 years."
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