Competition is high in the VFX industry. How do you stand out from the crowd? In this article, we will share with you 5 ways to get noticed as a VFX Artist.
Today's world is saturated with entertainment and instant access to information, so getting a job in the VFX or Film industry can be difficult, and advancing can be even more challenging.
The competition is strong, and the world is filling up with garage studios and two-man production teams. For this reason, presenting yourself in a way that will help get your work noticed by others is key to your success as an artist.
First things first, you need to invest in is yourself. That’s right, developing a habit of self-development in the following areas will make you an appealing candidate for any studio.
1. Learn a software
I start with this because it is an extremely important aspect of filmmaking to understand basic editing and compositing programs. In today’s world of accessibility, you don’t even need to spend a large amount of money on a subscription or set program.
Various free programs exist, such as HitFilmExpress and Blender. Do research as to what is available for you or would work well, pick a program, learn it, and learn it well. A Jack-of-All-Trades Is useful, but only if you have something that you know you are good at.
Be a jack-of-All-Trades and master of “one.” If you can master a software then you will have greater confidence in your abilities as a VFX artist, because you have something you can fall back on. Not to mention, it opens you up to learning new things and becoming a master of something else.
2. Learn about cameras
Buy a camera and use it. This is really important to understanding how VFX is incorporated into movies. Understand what makes a shot and how to properly compose your image. You shouldn’t rely on just your VFX work to “fix” your shot. A good shot starts with good footage.
Learn what your camera’s strengths are, and only ask your camera what it can give you out of those strengths. What the audience sees is crucial to the telling of a story and the blending of an effects shot, so use the camera as if it were a character in your story. Your shots will come alive in an immersive sense, bringing value to your overall scene.
3. Don’t forget sound
A good visual effect shot is only half a success without the sound to sell it. Consider every Star Wars battle, for instance. Star Wars takes place in space. Space has no sound, and yet for the purpose of cinematic epicness, you hear all the wonderful lasers, explosions, and jumps to light speed in the Star Wars movies.
This is because the filmmakers understand that by bypassing this simple law of science, they can combine iconic sounds with incredible VFX to make truly memorable imagery.
When you shoot a scene, think about what sounds are present and what sounds you will later want to add, and you will see your production soar in value by adding sounds that fit the shot.
Now that you have the technical skills down, let’s take a look at some ways to help you stand out.
According to Google statistics, YouTube has over 1 billion users. That’s almost one-third of all people on the internet! That one-third watches hundreds of millions of hours of YouTube videos each day.
This means that if you are not posting content on YouTube, you’re missing one of the single biggest audiences online. Having content worth watching helps to gain subscribers and attract your target audience.
Now, more than ever, studios, producers, and networks turn to YouTube to see what kind of talent is out there. Create a YouTube presence worth tuning in for and open yourself up to more opportunities.
2. Make a Reel
A good VFX reel could not be more important in getting noticed. The film industry is one of the few industries left where employers literally don’t care if you have a bachelor’s or master’s degree in order to get hired.
A piece of paper saying you are good at something doesn’t hold a candle to the blazing light of a good reel. When trying to advance your career or get noticed, studios will ask for your reel and they will ruthlessly judge your abilities based on the 2-5 minutes you present to them.
But before you can create a good reel, you have to have content worth showing. (See the previous point.) This content can come from both professional and personal projects, as long as they are your best quality.
Don’t put everything you have ever made in your reel. Only put the best. Our amazing library of stock footage and easy-to-use overlays allow you to make the coolest, sexiest content possible, and save time in the process.
Say you’ve already made a reel, but you’re not seeing much success. Consider rebranding yourself and putting together a new reel of the work that you like.
Let this year be a fresh start, not a time of giving up. Creative blocks will come and go, but if you can push through those times, and learn what you can from them, you will become a more balanced artist, able to conquer whatever challenges may arise.
3. Create Fresh Content
This can fall into multiple categories. Whether you make YouTube tutorials, write blog posts, or post your work on a portfolio Facebook page, it is important to build a name for yourself by making new content regularly.
Creating fresh exciting images, art, or videos enables your friends, families, and followers to have easy bite-size material that can be easily shared. Who knows, you may have a distant relative who are friends with Steven Spielberg. You never know who may know who. Share your content and let others promote you.
Don’t fall into the trap of doing what everyone else is doing, either. Nothing screams “lack of creative inspiration” like the same old stuff. Do something new! Pick up a filmmaking book, take a class, or get out of your comfort zone in some way to learn new things so that you can implement something fresh into your work. Hollywood has fallen into this pitfall for as long as movies have existed.
A studio creates a unique movie that audiences love, so naturally other studios try to repeat the magic of that movie, and then suddenly you have 10 movies being released that have the same humor, look, gags, and rating. This may seem like giving audiences what they want, but in reality, it extinguishes what audiences are really looking for, which is uniqueness.
This is not to say that you can’t gain inspiration from the work of others or create something of a similar genre; just find ways to add a new twist or spin that will make your audience feel like they are seeing something for the first time.
4. Build Professional Online Connections
This goes right along with the previous few points, but it is worth restating. With sites like LinkedIn, Twitter, and ArtStation, you have all the opportunities in the world to present yourself professionally online.
Follow artists and other people in your industry. Join groups online that are directly related to your industry or desired career. Post links to your best work, and look for others who are doing the same. It is important to network with people who are in similar situations as yourself and help them by sharing their work as well.
You never want to just take and ask people to promote you without dishing out the same level of respect to your peers.
5. Build Professional, Real-Life Connections
Yes, we live in a world of technology with people who hide behind keyboards, but it is still a fact that the number one way to get noticed or advance your career is by building strong relationships with actual human beings in real life.
This means you have to get outside and meet people. For many, this is a daunting task, and you may have no idea where to begin. Start with your friends, families, and co-workers. Find out what kind of connections you can make, and look for opportunities to network with individuals who share your passion.
Then search for studios or production houses near you. If there is a company within driving range, visit them and ask to shadow the crew on shooting day or interview the director for your blog. You will build small business relationships that can help give you more insight down the road.
When trying to network, it is important to remain professional and ask the right questions. Make a strong but unpretentious impression. The more connections you have, the more of a jump-start you gain to advance in the industry.
Success takes work. Not all of us will stumble into it. It takes conscious effort and determination. Put your best foot forward, and show the VFX industry that you have something unique and inspiring to offer.
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