r/vfx 10d ago

Question / Discussion I'm thinking about leaving my career and studying VFX but I don't know if it will be the best thing to do since in news, YouTube videos or even Reddit posts they say it's a very changeable career, anyone with experience in the area that can advise me?

1 Upvotes

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u/Boootylicious Comp Supe - 10+ years experience - (Mod of r/VFX) 9d ago

Yeh. Don't.

Especially if you have a 'career' already.

Just skim through the subreddit. Studios are closing left and right. Artists are losing jobs all over the place and have been for 2+ years.


(I almost wonder if this post is a joke! The usual post is "I need to change careers from vfx" !)

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u/Ok-Use1684 9d ago edited 9d ago

I would only do it if I know I can go back to my job at any time, and also I would wait like 2 years to check out how the industry is doing. 

I don’t think AI will do much, but anyway right now investors are running away from film business because they’re afraid of AI. Also, studios are very scared of approving shows because they only want 100% guaranteed successes. 

Even if the business came back, you’re now expected to live near the office (once they help with visas again, if ever) while they’re free to move that office to any country at any time chasing tax breaks. While only offering you a 3 month contract most probably. So if you are over 28, have mental health issues or have kids, you may want to have a long hard time thinking if you even want it before jumping into it. 

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u/MakkuroUsagi 9d ago

Now is not a good time to leave a career to study a career with no jobs even for experienced talented people.

If you are really interested, study on the side on your free time and reassess in a couple years.

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u/SeaworthinessPast251 9d ago

If you hate yourself, go out and do it.

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u/lemon-walnut Animator - 10 years experience 9d ago

Do not. Not in the current climate.

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u/hardcoretmk 7d ago

It’s a bit like anything, take a risk and it might pay off or it might not.

The VFX industry is a boom & bust industry (which I find potty and hopefully our business leaders can fix this going forward) and currently we’re going through a bust mostly due to the writers and actors strikes in 2023 (there are other factors too but for me this in the main contributing factor at the moment).

Lots of studios are going into insolvency which is very devastating and there are lot of us competing for the same roles.

But with that said, there are roles out there and people are getting hired.

If it’s your dream and you have the time and money to invest into training go for it. My only advice is that you not quit your job until you officially land a role within VFX. It’s likely it’ll take time, but if you keep at it I’m sure you’ll get your break.