Lights, Camera… Wait – Should You Pursue a Career in VFX?

It’s impossible to get into the film industry.

… is what everyone will tell you.

But it’s more accessible than ever with massive Visual Effects (VFX) market growth. In 2020, the VFX market was valued at approximately $7.5 billion; by 2026, it’s projected to reach $16 billion.

If you love movies and are looking for a creative career that can allow you to feel like Picasso on the big screen, it’s time to start learning about VFX. Many VFX education options exist, whether through universities, colleges, or online training courses.

What is VFX anyway?

VFX is the creation and manipulation of imagery outside the context of live-action footage. It plays a crucial role in modern filmmaking by allowing the representation of fictional elements, complex action sequences, and the creation of all kinds of worlds, fictional or real.

It’s a key component of modern filmmaking and entertainment. It transports the audience to fantastical new worlds, brings historical events to life, de-ages actors, and creates thrilling action sequences without hurting anyone.

VFX artists are the magicians behind the screen, employing various techniques to seamlessly blend live-action footage with computer-generated elements. VFX is so ingrained in modern filmmaking you’d be hard-pressed to find a movie or show that doesn’t use it in some way. From more obvious examples like Lord of the Rings, the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Game of Thrones, or Avatar to less obvious examples like The Irishman, The Wolf of Wall Street, or The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, VFX is everywhere.

The scope of VFX work goes far beyond adding an unearthly creature, kickass superhero, or fantastical environment. It includes:

Set extensions: expanding the scope of physical sets digitally to create vast landscapes, cityscapes or spacescapes.
Environment manipulation: You don’t need to be a superhero to control the weather or time of day – you simply need to be a VFX artist! Every element of a location can be altered in post-production.
Crowd replication: Make party scenes much more epic by creating realistic crowds of people to digitally fill stadiums, historical scenes, and more.
Digital doubles: Some stunts are impossible to perform in real life. For dangerous or complex action sequences, replace actors with computer-generated versions.
Clean-up: How’d that get there? You can remove footage elements like signs, wires, people, or filming set objects. Or fix errors or props like an untimely blink from an actor or a rubber weapon.

Glitz and Glamour – The Pros of a VFX Career

While the booming VFX industry, creative career path, and potential for on-screen recognition are enticing, they’re not the only reasons to pursue a career in VFX. Take a glimpse at the fulfilling world that awaits aspiring VFX artists:

Imagination Unleashed: Bring your wildest dreams to life. Create fantastical creatures, craft breathtaking landscapes, or design mind-bending effects. You’re only limited by your imagination – well, and the brief.

In-Demand Skill Set: Because VFX is ubiquitous in movies, television, gaming, advertising, and beyond, VFX artists are highly sought after.

Show Me The Money: Experienced artists can command high salaries and ample room for growth and improvement.

Cutting-Edge: VFX technology is always evolving, with new technologies and techniques emerging. This makes this career fresh, challenging, and exciting.

Collaborate to Create: It might seem like you could do this job sitting in front of a computer with a pile of coffee mugs and no collaboration, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. You’ll work alongside diverse teams of talented professionals like artists, directors, and producers.

Diverse Projects: No two days are the same, with a new daily challenge to overcome. You’ll have a wide range of projects and problems to solve. Monotony is not an option.

Ditch the Dress Code: Say goodbye to stuffy suits and uniforms – unless that’s your thing. Be comfortable, dress informal, and stay true to your personal style.

Geek Out: If you’re a fan of epic movie productions, working in VFX is a dream come true. You’ll have a front-row seat to the creation of larger-than-life productions.

If you’re passionate about storytelling, crave creative challenges, and love learning new technology, a VFX career might be perfect for you.

Hidden Challenges – The Realities of a VFX Career

While a career in VFX has some amazing benefits, some aspects might not align with the type of lifestyle you want to live. Potential obstacles you may face include:

Demanding Schedules and Overtime: The VFX industry is famous for tight deadlines and demanding projects. Long hours, late nights, and weekend work are not uncommon, especially when projects are nearing completion. This is show biz, baby.
Inconsistent Income: Freelancing is common for VFX artists, especially when they’re getting started. Short-term contracts abound, and there are periods of feast and famine between projects.
Fierce Competition: The VFX industry attracts a wealth of talent worldwide, all vying for the same jobs.
Continuous Learning: While some would feel this is a perk, others may balk at staying up to date with cutting-edge software. Learning new tools and techniques can be time-consuming and stressful.

These real challenges can be overcome with perseverance, passion, and the right mindset. Successful VFX artists are resilient, adaptable, persistent, and committed to learning and enhancing their skills.

What Newbies Should Do and Expect

Setting realistic expectations and prioritizing the right actions are important when you decide to leap into a VFX career. Here’s what to focus on:

1. Portfolio Building: Your portfolio should represent you and be a curated collection of your best work. Showcase your skills and potential to prospective employers, enticing them with projects from internships, school assignments, or personal creations. A polished portfolio will make all the difference in networking and landing those first gigs.

2. Entry-Level Tasks: As a newcomer, throw yourself into learning the foundational tasks of VFX. It might include more mundane things like rotoscoping (tracing elements in footage), match moving (tracking camera movement), or simple compositing (blending elements together). These tasks will help you earn the trust of your supervisors as you build up your speed, accuracy, and attention to detail.

3. Learn and Grow: VFX is constantly in flux and evolving. Embrace continuous learning by exploring online tutorials, participating in forums, taking courses, and experimenting with new software and techniques. More skills = more opportunities.

4. Find Your Niche: While building your skills, notice what specific area of VFX resonates with you. Whether it’s lighting, animation, modeling, or something else, specializing in a discipline will make you a more valuable asset to employers.

Building a successful VFX career isn’t easy. It takes time, dedication, and perseverance. The rewards are there for those willing to put in the effort.

Is VFX right for you?

If you’re unsure if VFX is your career, ask yourself these seven questions. VFX might not be a good fit if you answer “no” to any of these.

1. Are you passionate about visual storytelling?

2. Are you comfortable with technology and eager to learn new tools?

3. Can you handle pressure and tight deadlines?

4. Are you self-motivated and able to work independently?

5. Are you prepared to invest time and money in developing your skills?

6. Do you have an artistic side of you?

7. Are you comfortable to work long hours in front of a computer?

A VFX career offers a dynamic, creative and stimulating environment where artists can work on diverse projects and bring their imaginations to life. The demand for VFX is soaring, and high-earning opportunities and career advancement abound.

However, the industry also presents challenges, including the possibility of demanding schedules, job insecurity, and intense competition. Those passionate about storytelling and innovation may find a VFX career immensely rewarding and fulfilling despite these challenges.

I highly encourage you to research to understand what a VFX career entails. Reach out to people who work in the field, including college students, professors, professionals, and freelancers. For those who love to network, using LinkedIn for outreach can be an amazing tool to connect with people in VFX.

A career in VFX involves creativity, technical skill, and perseverance. If you’re passionate about the craft, you can have a fulfilling and dynamic career in a constantly evolving field.

About the Author

Fernando Gallo is a renowned Lead 3D Animator based in Toronto, Canada, contributing significantly to the VFX industry through his work on acclaimed feature films and TV shows. Some of his recent and notable projects as a Lead Animator include “John Wick 4”, Del Toro’s “Cabinet of Curiosities,” “The Reacher,” and “From.” His animation expertise is also evident in productions such as “The Boys,” “Halo,” “FUBAR,” “Star Trek: Discovery,” “The Fall of The House of Usher,” and many others for Amazon, Netflix, Sony, and Paramount. In addition to his professional work, Fernando enjoys hand drawing, writing, photography, music, and character design. Visit his website here: fernandogallo3d.com