Category: ves

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/union-seeks-organize-uk-vfx-433035

http://kotaku.com/disney-shuts-down-lucasarts-468473749

It has been just over one month since our industry reached what I called a “tipping point,” which intensified on the heels of the Oscars.  In an effort to be responsive to a beleaguered community and sincerely offer our leadership, we issued an open letter calling for increased subsidies in California and a public VFX Congress. In the days and weeks since then, visibility on the changing visual effects industry has increased dramatically.  And during that time, we have received a good deal of feedback on our suggestions – both positive and negative.

Given what we have learned, I want to underscore a few important points:

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http://magazine.creativecow.net/article/vfx-at-a-crossroads

http://magazine.creativecow.net/article/vfx-crossroads

http://www.vfxunion.info/

http://insidemovies.ew.com/2013/03/18/visual-effects-rhythm-and-hues-life-of-pi/

The buzz around the state of the visual effects industry reached a fever pitch this winter when prominent effects house Rhythm & Hues filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in mid-February.

The movement has spurred supporters to change their Facebook and Twitter profile photos to a green box, representing the green screen that would appear in movies were it not for VFX.

http://variety.com/2013/more/news/lawyers-to-laid-off-digital-domain-freelancers-pay-us-or-well-sue-1200194391/

http://www.facebook.com/VfxSolidarityIntl/posts/355240404584531

VFX Solidarity International

http://www.tribecafilm.com/tribecaonline/future-of-film/Why-is-Everyone-in-Your-Feed-Turning-Their-Profile-Picture-Green.html#.US-dTc_1Q02

http://vfxsoldier.wordpress.com/2013/02/27/ves-advocates-for-more-vfx-subsidies/#more-3400

The VES sent a call to action for VFX subsidies in California:

First, we call upon Governor Brown and the State Legislature to immediately expand its tax incentive program for the entertainment industry and to include a focused approach concentrated on the visual effects and post production sectors of the industry.

I disagree with this idea and I’m very disappointed.

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http://vfxsoldier.wordpress.com/2013/02/24/an-open-letter-to-ang-lee/

Dear Mr. Lee, When asked about the bankruptcy of Rhythm + Hues, the visual effects house largely responsible for making your film “life of Pi” as incredible as it was, you said: “I would like it to be cheaper and not a tough business [for VFX vendors].

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http://vfxsoldier.wordpress.com/2013/02/10/rhythm-hues-chapter-11/

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118066034/

http://www.deadline.com/2013/02/oscar-nominated-vfx-rhythm-and-hues-filing-bankruptcy/

http://vfxlaw2012.wordpress.com/2013/02/05/organizational-skills/

At one point in my career I was a Visual Effects Producer, and am a current member of the PGA.  Is it possible that I am responsible for some companies having gone out of business because I squeezed them too hard on prices?  Yes.  Is it possible artists lost their job because of the decisions I made?  Yes.  Is it indeed possible that the visual effects industry finds itself in dire straits with nowhere to turn?  Yes.

How do we fix it, and more to the point, can it be fixed?

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http://edit.hollywoodreporter.com/news/disney-buy-lucasfilm-405-billion-384448

http://podcast.radionz.co.nz/ntn/ntn-20121009-1106-business_with_rod_oram-048.mp3

http://www.studiodaily.com/2012/09/how-healthy-is-our-vfx-industry/

http://filmworks.filmla.com/2012/08/15/rhythm-hues-special-effects-powerhouse-offers-insight-into-vfx-industry/#!prettyPhoto/0/

http://www.emailcharter.org/

We’re drowning in emails.

vfxsoldier.wordpress.com An article is making the rounds promoting the 40-hour week and explains how long work hours have proven to cost workers and their employers more of their time, their money, and their health.

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http://www.visualeffectssociety.com/node/2425

As an Honorary Society, VES has led the way in promoting the incredible work of VFX artists but so far no one has stood up to lead the way on the business side of our business. No one has been able to speak out for unrepresented artists and facilities – or the craft as a whole – in any meaningful way.

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http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118035870

All of Hollywood seems to be still figuring this out, and as a result, the tentpole pattern is now well established:

• A movie demands you’ve-never-seen-this-before visual effects both for marketing and story;
•Ambitious plans and a short schedule leave little margin for error;
•Inevitable schedule problems trigger urgent meetings among studio execs, vendors and filmmakers to get the project back on track;
•”911″ emergency calls go out to almost any vfx shop in the world that can take on some last-minute work;
•Everyone runs a harrowing race to deadline despite all the extra help.

Collapse, rest, repeat.

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