thanks for the vid , im currently a student in a vfx schoo and i need to look for a stage in a studio and this vid make me regain confidence about it , keep going
Great video! very relatable to start out find a problem and look for the solution instead of filling up your head up with brainfog in a premade educational program. looking forward for more!
Hey, appreciate your video. You said to specialise, but with the state of the industry I don't know if specialisation is the way in. Maybe it is the way to stay in, but I tried to get in as a Junior Comp. I studied film production first and then did a short (10 months) study in VFX. I finished in 2022, great timing, I know. One of my mentors, who was lead Comp artist told me I'm definitely junior level and I applied everywhere for about a year, but got mostly ghosted with a few rejections as well. The competition is brutal and there are nearly no spots for juniors. The few people who I know got a position are generalists. Companies seem to prefer them since they can wear many hats and atm they can't hire many people. I haven't given up yet, I'm continuing to learn and do projects beside my job and am applying to study vfx properly. But I am very worried about the industry (at least here in EU / Germany especially with scanline Germany getting closed). Instead of getting closer to my dream it feels like it just moves further away every day. Still I try to improve as much as possible, and now learn houdini as well, just to broaden my chances.
It's been a tough few years for the industry, and experiences vary again depending on where in the world you are. Junior roles have been rare in some studios, so my suggestion is to look for other ways in. So for comp this could be through roto/paint jobs, or an internship like the ones that Framestore and ILM run each year. But also consider any advertised role for a studio to just get your foot in the door as often that's the hardest part, and once you're in you have access to the crew and resources that can help you transition into your desired discipline. Unfortunately there's no set path and everyone's journey is different. I wish you all the best and let me know if I can help answer any questions that may help you along your way.
Thanks for sharing your insight. I like that you said it's helpful to experiment with processes outside of the main tasks, like photography. It really helps to connect dots and understand things on a more fundamental level. I'm personally still a freelancer after 12 years of working in VFX & 3D, but that's what I enjoy. 🤠 I'd even say individual generalist are also becoming higher in demand, at least it feels that way from what I've seen from my Community.
Yeah learning from the real world is key! I think the best balance is specialized generalists - artists that can do lots of different things but ultimately specialize in their departments. That said, true generalists are also definitely in demand but less so in VFX.
If you want to work in a VFX studio you really need to specialize in one area to start with. So if you like making environments, focus on that. If you like flip, pyro RBD, focus on FX and shape your reel around the role you're applying for.
Do you think it's too late for me to start in the industry? I'm 38 and just about to finish 3D Animation and VFX program while being a mom. I'm a self taught artist / illustrator and graphic designer. But I worked in totally different industries before. I waited this long to have a chance and money to finally get an art education. I really enjoy compositing and eventually specialize in digital matte painting. I know it's a brutal industry, and everything you said basically applies to life in general.
I've worked with several people that started in the industry in their 30's, so it's definitely possible. That said, it is a tough industry and it has been particularly challenging the past few years due to a number of factors impacting the amount of work and opportunities around the world. Work is picking up now but it does vary between companies and where in the world you are.
@ yea, I’m in Vancouver, and friends from the industry say it is picking up now. I’m nervous and excited at the same time, this career change will definitely bring me to rock bottom. Totally understand that life will take us depending on how much effort and passion we all put into it! I appreciate your message, just needed a reminder ☺️ keep inspiring please
Alex, why don't you talk about the 16-hour workdays? The burned-out VFX artists that get discarded instantly? Or about the exhausting tutorials that VFX artists like you put out to cover those stretches of no-income? And this video perpetuates that problem, Alex. Don't be part of the problem, Alex.
Hey Fernando, as mentioned in the video, VFX is well known to be a tough industry with long hours and this has been covered ad nauseum. The purpose of this video is to help aspiring artists who choose to pursue a career in VFX regardless of the challenges. I personally have never done a 16 hour day in my entire career, and have been fortunate to work at companies that value their staff and their health. These days I work full-time and haven't had a stretch of no income since 2011 so when it comes to the tutorials I make - it's just a side project I like building to help artists get better at their craft. As is this channel :)
You sound miserable dude. Life isn’t easy, no matter which path you take. Choose your hard, and find something that you feel is worth the time you spend on it.
Love that realistic motivational speech :))
Great video Alex!
thanks for the vid , im currently a student in a vfx schoo and i need to look for a stage in a studio and this vid make me regain confidence about it , keep going
As a graphic/motion designer I want to redirect my skills towards 3D and vfx, this video helped me a lot so thank u very much.
Wow, We are consuming content of Game of Thrones guy
😍
Thanks for the Advices brother ❤
Thank you!
Great video! very relatable to start out find a problem and look for the solution instead of filling up your head up with brainfog in a premade educational program. looking forward for more!
@@kevinciotta Thanks Kevin! More coming!
Im just about to start a Bachelor in animation and games design, this video is a gem for me right now. Thank you man
Glad you found it helpful!
Great advice
Thanks Harrison :)
Hey, appreciate your video. You said to specialise, but with the state of the industry I don't know if specialisation is the way in. Maybe it is the way to stay in, but I tried to get in as a Junior Comp. I studied film production first and then did a short (10 months) study in VFX. I finished in 2022, great timing, I know. One of my mentors, who was lead Comp artist told me I'm definitely junior level and I applied everywhere for about a year, but got mostly ghosted with a few rejections as well. The competition is brutal and there are nearly no spots for juniors. The few people who I know got a position are generalists. Companies seem to prefer them since they can wear many hats and atm they can't hire many people.
I haven't given up yet, I'm continuing to learn and do projects beside my job and am applying to study vfx properly.
But I am very worried about the industry (at least here in EU / Germany especially with scanline Germany getting closed). Instead of getting closer to my dream it feels like it just moves further away every day.
Still I try to improve as much as possible, and now learn houdini as well, just to broaden my chances.
It's been a tough few years for the industry, and experiences vary again depending on where in the world you are. Junior roles have been rare in some studios, so my suggestion is to look for other ways in. So for comp this could be through roto/paint jobs, or an internship like the ones that Framestore and ILM run each year. But also consider any advertised role for a studio to just get your foot in the door as often that's the hardest part, and once you're in you have access to the crew and resources that can help you transition into your desired discipline. Unfortunately there's no set path and everyone's journey is different. I wish you all the best and let me know if I can help answer any questions that may help you along your way.
Thanks for sharing your insight. I like that you said it's helpful to experiment with processes outside of the main tasks, like photography. It really helps to connect dots and understand things on a more fundamental level. I'm personally still a freelancer after 12 years of working in VFX & 3D, but that's what I enjoy. 🤠
I'd even say individual generalist are also becoming higher in demand, at least it feels that way from what I've seen from my Community.
Yeah learning from the real world is key! I think the best balance is specialized generalists - artists that can do lots of different things but ultimately specialize in their departments. That said, true generalists are also definitely in demand but less so in VFX.
is it good to specialize in environment art and environment fx like flip, pyro and RBD? or should I focus only one at the beginning?
If you want to work in a VFX studio you really need to specialize in one area to start with. So if you like making environments, focus on that. If you like flip, pyro RBD, focus on FX and shape your reel around the role you're applying for.
Do you think it's too late for me to start in the industry? I'm 38 and just about to finish 3D Animation and VFX program while being a mom. I'm a self taught artist / illustrator and graphic designer. But I worked in totally different industries before. I waited this long to have a chance and money to finally get an art education. I really enjoy compositing and eventually specialize in digital matte painting. I know it's a brutal industry, and everything you said basically applies to life in general.
I've worked with several people that started in the industry in their 30's, so it's definitely possible. That said, it is a tough industry and it has been particularly challenging the past few years due to a number of factors impacting the amount of work and opportunities around the world. Work is picking up now but it does vary between companies and where in the world you are.
@ yea, I’m in Vancouver, and friends from the industry say it is picking up now. I’m nervous and excited at the same time, this career change will definitely bring me to rock bottom. Totally understand that life will take us depending on how much effort and passion we all put into it! I appreciate your message, just needed a reminder ☺️ keep inspiring please
Alex, why don't you talk about the 16-hour workdays? The burned-out VFX artists that get discarded instantly? Or about the exhausting tutorials that VFX artists like you put out to cover those stretches of no-income? And this video perpetuates that problem, Alex. Don't be part of the problem, Alex.
Hey Fernando, as mentioned in the video, VFX is well known to be a tough industry with long hours and this has been covered ad nauseum. The purpose of this video is to help aspiring artists who choose to pursue a career in VFX regardless of the challenges. I personally have never done a 16 hour day in my entire career, and have been fortunate to work at companies that value their staff and their health. These days I work full-time and haven't had a stretch of no income since 2011 so when it comes to the tutorials I make - it's just a side project I like building to help artists get better at their craft. As is this channel :)
You sound miserable dude. Life isn’t easy, no matter which path you take. Choose your hard, and find something that you feel is worth the time you spend on it.