Geeks in Pain - Overworked and Underpaid
Like many of my .NET-coding brothers and sisters, I have an affinity for all thinks geeky, and for me personally this means a somewhat unhealthy interest in visual effects. I tinker with motion graphics in After Effects [Note: paid-for Academic Versions, I do NOT condone pirating software], play with modeling in Maya, and sketch out concept art, admittedly not very good, in Photoshop and Illustrator on my tablet.
It's a hobby, of sorts. And I try to keep up with goings-on in that industry. So I was a bit surprised to read the following article on Variety's site:
Blockbusters take toll on f/x shops. It's not too long; please read it.
There are so many parallels here to the IT consulting profession, and even to coding on a staff for a large company. Next, read this intelligent commentary from fxguide:
Killer Schedules: Behind That Variety Story
Just a few comments: First, the vfx shops should have never, ever charged by the shot. They should just quote a rate per hour. I know it would be tough to change their business model now, at this point in the game, especially with all the perceived competition. But they should.
In our business, you just have to achieve a certain skill level that enables you to turn down unprofitable jobs, because you have confidence that you can find a job that pays decently. Don't know if our fellow geeks in the vfx industry have that option.
The next time you're on a deathmarch project, repeat to yourself: If you're not getting a fat salary that justifies it, you should be charging by the hour.