Framestore - The VFX of How To Train Your Dragon

Oscar and BAFTA-nominated Production VFX Supervisor Christian Mänz dives into the extraordinary world of How To Train Your Dragon, the blockbuster live action adaptation of the animated classic.

The project saw Christian undertake a two-and-a-half-year creative journey that spanned everything from helicopter trips over the Faroe Islands, early concept work and deep-dive character design, previs, on-set puppetry and AR visualisation and cutting-edge motion-control rigs.

Saddle up to hear how Christian and his team helped breathe life into the film’s reptilian cast, what made those iconic flight sequences so thrilling and how the Isle of Berk was so beautifully crafted.

Speakers

Christian Mänz

VFX Supervisor, Framestore

A hugely-successful Production VFX Supervisor, Christian’s 25+ year career has seen him secure an Academy Award nomination and four BAFTA nominations while working on a wide range of household-name projects. 

His most recent role as Production VFX Supervisor saw him collaborating with Dean DeBlois on the live action adaptation of the director's beloved How To Train Your Dragon. From concepts and recces to devising innovative methodologies for the film's iconic flight sequences, Christian's multi-year journey with characters like Toothless, Hiccup, Astrid and The Red Death speaks to a life's work breathing life into soulful, tactile CG creatures and a true talent for crafting believable, immersive worlds.

Christian began his career with Framestore in 1997, having initially trained as an illustrator. He is one of several supervisors who has built his career with the company, working on landmark projects like the Oscar-winning Golden Compass, 47 Ronin, numerous Harry Potter instalments and production-side roles on the three Fantastic Beasts Films.

How To Train Your Dragon - Official Trailer (2025) Gerard Butler, Nick Frost, Mason Thames