What is Shaping the Future of Visual Effects?

A quick look at the challenges facing the visual effects industry

Good morning, this one is a little long, so..

Grab your morning coffee and settle in,

The only purpose of this text, is that you come away from it feeling cleansed and empowered; to think clearly and deeply about your goals, your habits, your time and how you choose to spend it.

A little about where we are right now:

In 2023, several industries(technology to entertainment and media) are undergoing significant transformations due to many technological and consumer behavioral factors.

Regardless of all the ongoing challenges, the VFX industry is a growing sector. It doesn't have as much market size as the big streamers and production studios but it is expanding rapidly.

How? The demand for VFX content from OTT platforms(Netflix, Hulu,...) is massive due to the rise in streaming and the need for high-quality visual experiences.

Integrating new OTT services across the existing subscription-based streaming devices will drive the usage of CG and VFX.

There has been a notable shift in revenue generation strategies in OTT platforms from the traditional subscription-based models towards ad-supported formats.

So VFX artists should have considerable leverage in the industry due to their high demand. right?

Well depends, Here is the problem: We can all agree that the visual effects traditional business model is currently being challenged, it is not completely obsolete but undergoing a significant shift. To adapt and survive in this evolving market, they will need to consider several key transformations such as:

• Market adaptation

• Reduce cost

• No more fixed-bid model: Studios might need to explore more flexible and adaptive pricing models, like retainer agreements or revenue sharing, to better manage financial risks.

• Investment in talent and training

The VFX industry is known for its rapid evolution. Artists often need to be adaptable and continuously update their skills. This suggests that ongoing training is a regular part of most VFX artists' careers. But even more so now.

To the point that many artists wont find this work practices sustainable unless their salary would be doubled.

But currently, there is a significant disparity between the value artists believe they bring and the measures studios must take to remain viable.

The market will normalize itself eventually, but this will require some time.

What should we do now? That's totally up to you — why?

It's risky to use someone else's map to navigate your world. It can be directionally sound, but if it’s grounded in a fundamentally different map of reality, it has limited use.

They say suffer now, enjoy later or enjoy now, suffer later. I think for VFX artists right now is more in the realm of suffer now, suffer later, unless they choose to take control of their own situation.

We are suffering to get what we rightfully deserve, only to return to a situation many artists have been desperately trying to leave behind.

when you focus too much on your short-term urgent tasks/ struggles you lose sight of the long-term critical (life changing) plans..

when you have an genuine long-term goal, it lends justification to all the temporary sacrifices. concerns like lack of sleep or earning slightly less become less significant.

More important than hard work is knowing if the thing that you choose to spend time on deserves your precious time. It all goes back to what goals you are setting for yourself.

Follow others' footsteps or pave a new path?

Artists will be in high demand, especially if they explore innovative avenues to apply their skills beyond the conventional studio employment model.

“Don't fear failure. Not failure, but low aim, is the crime. In great attempts it is glorious even to fail.” — Bruce Lee

Time is unforgiving. You’ll cherish it with all of your being, you may wish for more of it, but the reality is that time doesn’t care about you. It will push you around, It will trick you and It will devour you.

Make new plans today, be honest with yourself, see where you wanna be in 2 to 4 years.

Hopefully this piece will be interpreted as intended, that is to encourage a new way of thinking and ignite meaningful discussions among you.

let me know what you think about all this and good luck.

-Ardy