This Documentary Investigates the Underpaid Artists in the Visual Effects Industry
Meet the real people that construct your favorite scenes, pixel by pixel.
The entertainment industry constantly experiences ups and downs — everything from writer strikes, government bailouts, salary negotiations, casting drama and even studio interference — but there is one issue in particular that has yet to find a balance, and that is the under-appreciated visual effects industry. Since the ’90s, visual effects in movies have grown from the use of practical puppets used in single scenes, to full-digitally constructed environments and seamless integration of CGI. Whether we are talking about constructing a space battle in Star Wars, or the destruction of a cityscape in a movie like Batman v Superman, the lengthy post-production process can take months. This sometimes can leave the visual effects teams with full working days dedicated to perfecting the ‘size of seagulls from a specific region,’ — and in the end leaving them feeling quite under-compensated.
Check out the full documentary above to see firsthand accounts offered by disgruntled VFX artists who are hopeful for a change in the status quo.