What’s next for you?
inspired by Luc JULIEN Thanks to the disruptive strikes from WGA and SAG AFTRA, the world of visual effects is at a very unpredictable point.
The industry is facing a lot of challenges driven by not only the strikes but many other factors such as cost of production, global economy, corporate greed and outsourcing. The VFX industry is heavily reliant on technological advancements. The ongoing development of software and hardware tools may affect the skill sets required, leading to potential layoffs for professionals who can't keep up with these changes.
Big corporations such as DreamWorks and Disney have realized how much money they could potentially save by firing half of their staff with close to no repercussions. no more long contracts, no more lengthy pre-productions and RnDs.
is there still gonna be work? absolutely but it will be different. It has been different. The industry has been undergoing lots of changes during the past 5 to 7 years.
Virtual production and A.I. will be part of every single production. Studios are changing their business model to be leaner and more efficient and ultimately more competitive.
I see so many artists aggressively looking for work which is complete understandable, but maybe you should give yourself some time to recalibrate your brain. first and foremost every artist should ask themselves this question, what is my ultimate goal?
Here is something very important that for some reason many people tend to forget. no matter how much you live and breathe for visual effects and film, this is a job. just like any other jobs you would do to pay your bills. and Jobs are not forever. sooner or later you got to think about, so… am I actually building a future for myself? what am I doing so I would not be in this situation again?
So..
FOR ARTISTS
1. Skill Up Now: No time to wait. Learn Unreal Engine, learn Houdini, learn Python, take a course that would put you in demand.
2. Build Something: Don’t just watch tutorials. build a brand new project from scratch. lay down the idea and start creating and learn along the way. involve your friends too.
3. Focus On The Idea: Don’t focus only on the technical aspect of it, learn how to tell a compelling story. Build with purpose.
4. Network Now: Learn how to make connections, build a community, and learn how to talk about something you believe in and get people excited. Not everybody is gonna understand your vision, It’s your job to show them.
5. Learn About Marketing: Read a couple of books, listen to successful CEOs and try to understand how companies make decisions. It’s all about money.
6. Start a Side Hustle: Build a brand, register a LLC, go through the process, fail and try again.
7. Open an OnlyFans Account: kidding.. :) well I don’t judge.
There is NO downtime; it's prep time! Think of it as the pullback on a slingshot: the more you prepare now, the further you'll launch when the industry rebounds. If you miss the window, the pendulum will return inevitably return and smack you in the face...
Let me know if I can help.
-Ardy
