http://www.reddit.com/r/vfx/comments/237tcf/render_man/

 

(To be sung to the melody of Piano Man)

It’s nine o’clock on a Friday

We’ve been here 40 hours straight

the client wants 10% more mystery

and then sent a 600 frame plate

 

They say “It looks great! Here’s a thousand notes

And the producers want this red thing less blue

And my niece likes cats

So we need some of that

And the deadline’s on Sunday at 2:00”

 

Render a frame, you’re the renderman

Render a frame tonight

Well, we’re all in the mood to be going home

so this time please render it right

 

Now, John over there is an industry vet

He’s been at it for 20 odd years

He’s a whole lot of fun

When the work day is done

But tonight he is almost in tears

 

He says, “Bill I belive this is killing me.”

As wires danced across someone’s face

“Well, I’m sure I would slap this damn movie star

If I could get out of this place.”

 

Now Paul is a VFX generalist

Who never saw his children or wife

And he’s talking with Scott, who’s still on that shot

And probably will be for life

 

And the interns are fixing up camera tracks

As the freelancers mutter and curse

And the boss says “You’re getting paid overtime

It could be marginally worse”

 

Render a frame, you’re the renderman

Render a frame tonight

Well, we’re all in the mood to be going home

so this time please render it right

 

We’re all still here on a Friday night

As the coffee pot starts a new brew

Mark eats a pannini

John’s crashing Houdini

 

And Jim waits for his renders to queue

And explosions erupt on our monitors

And the workstations smell like a zoo

And the kitchen’s asunder

 

And we sit and wonder

How the hell to make red things less blue

 

Render a frame, you’re the renderman

Render a frame tonight

Well, we’re all in the mood to be going home

so this time please render it right

https://www.bectu.org.uk/news/2095 A recent survey amongst VFX staff found high levels of dissatisfaction amongst this skilled group over working hours, workloads and work/life balance. Responding to the survey: 77 per cent of people knew someone who had recently left the industry over workloads, overtime and poor working conditions;81 per cent of people had felt pressured or bullied into working overtime for free on films;83 per cent of people said it was difficult, or very difficult, to raise a family whilst working in VFX What does the Charter call for? All overtime to be voluntaryAll overtime to be paidWorking Time Regulation opt-outs to be handled responsiblyRespect for caring responsibilitiesStatutory rights to daily rest to be met (eg 11 hour break between turns of duty)Statutory rights to weekly rest to be met (eg no to working on 12 consecutive days)Better care for night workersRespect for the rights of trade union members.

In my experience, a 40 hour work week is a benchmark of the most effective teams.  They have work-life balance.  They have buffer to respond to opportunity and to deal with crunches.

http://motionographer.com/2011/10/12/worklife-the-40-hour-work-week/

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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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