Some Pointers From Your Friendly Neighborhood VFX Man

How very kind of sir Ben Fischler to post these tips for potential SFX job seekers

Cool Beans!

• To get a job in visual effects, you have to really really want it. Unlike some jobs where you just do it to get some cash, visual effects is a very labor intensive field that requires much dedication and a lot of passion. That passion will really resonate with the work that you do and make you even more appealing to bigger and better positions, but with time and with practice of course.
•  VFX is one of the only professions where you build on what you are already strong in and weave in the bits that you are slightly less skilled in. More often than not, it is the other way around. Building on what you are weak in and incorporating what you are already strong in. This doesn't mean that you shouldn't try to improve what you are weak in, but it doesn't have a huge impact if you start out a little short in a certain field (as long as you have an idea of what you are doing and you're not going in completely blind).

• One of the best ways to "get your foot in the door" is by being a runner or a general errands person. Slightly surprising because it is a position with no actual animating in the field and it would seem slightly difficult to rise from the shadows of the messenger, but it makes sense, especially if you do a good job and make friends. If people already in the field know of your existence and if you have a good reel, they would be able to help you get a better position as an actual VFX artist (or something related to it).

 That was pretty cool in my opinion

• I really enjoyed that this article gave a list of different entry level positions and the best ways to "get your foot in the door". It also gives a brief overview of what the tasks for that position would be and allows for further research by any interested individuals who are curious about said field.
• Also, it was pretty cool that the article prepared the reader for the cold hard truth that no matter how good you are, your first gig won't be with the big leagues. It seems pretty obvious, but some people set their sights to high for their first career and end up getting crushed by the weight of reality. It's sad, but true. At least the article gives a little comfort in saying "hey, it won't happen right away. You have to work long and hard to make it to the top. Don't give up!"

Any tips for an artist who doesn't want to get into visual effects? There are fields other than 3D and VFX. What can I expect?

. .Ben Fischler

Ben Fischler