Here's a point I raised on my facebook profile amid posting and re-posting things to generate awareness that I think is worth thinking about:
"So apparently, among others at the Oscars last night, Nicole Kidman was seen mouthing the words 'poor things' as the VFX crew for Life of Pi were shuffled off stage for taking too long with their acceptance speech ( or because they were trying to let everyone know about the protest going on outside ). Id be willing to bet our efforts to protest, boycott and raise awareness about our crippled industry would find a lot of support among Hollywood actors. They are artists too and a lot of them understand what could have happened to them if it weren't for the many guilds and unions protecting them. I say the ring leaders in this movement try to contact the biggest names they can, especially those movie stars that already have a predilection towards activism. Could generate a lot of momentum." Also, its great that we are raising awareness and everything by posting to social media, but are there things we can actually do to change the way the system works? Some say we can make petitions, but who would we be petitioning to and what wold we be asking for? Obviously we want fair pay, benefits and job security but those phrases are not specific enough to put into a plan of action. We hear talk about subsidies but does anyone here understand the inner workings of the business end to really specifically state what needs to be changed? Im asking because I really dont. I know that many governments offer Hollywood studios subsidies ( read cash back? ) to hire vfx shops in their countries. I dont think the US political climate and economy will allow our government to offer competing subsidies, but the US could discourage Hollywood from accepting offers like this with tax penalties for outsourcing, but dont we do this already? Is it enough? Does anyone know the actual numbers? I'd also like to hear what people from outside the US think. I know this is an multinational forum. Do you guys really feel like you are reaping the benefits of our loses or are you guys also feeling underemployed and unappreciated? As much as we in the US can gain ground for ourselves, Im sure we dont want that to kill the growing industries in your countries at the same time. There should be enough to go around for everyone. Chris Covelli http://www.polygonpusherinc.com/ On Tue, Feb 26, 2013 at 9:17 AM, Chris Covelli <kylevar...@gmail.com> wrote: > Resistanzia!!!!! > > > Chris Covelli > http://www.polygonpusherinc.com/ > > > On Tue, Feb 26, 2013 at 4:01 AM, Rob Chapman <tekano....@gmail.com> wrote: > >> Drunk hulk smash! :) >> >> >> On 26 February 2013 04:22, Raffaele Fragapane < >> raffsxsil...@googlemail.com> wrote: >> >>> I hear that reasoning a lot. >>> On one end, it's agreeable. Sure, if your passion is CG, go ahead, find >>> new venues. >>> Some of us, however, do this because we're into creature work of a >>> certain profile, or film in general, or both. For that demographic, looking >>> at venues such as mobile app graphics, or slot machine graphics, or >>> med-viz, or what else have you, is simply not an option. >>> The next gen of consoles might open up one more venue, but insofar the >>> gaming industry hasn't exactly turned out to be a safe haven either. >>> >>> I'm not dismissing the argument, it's a sensible one to make and some >>> should consider it, but it's narrowly applied short sight in a way to think >>> everybody is in it to push buttons in Maya or Soft, and is willing to >>> transfer their skills, if they even were in first place. >>> >>> Personally I'm in it to blow shit up and make stuff like dragons, hot >>> chicks dual wielding katanas, zombies with arse-mounted machine guns and >>> the such. Applying my software development skills to a successful 100000 >>> downloads 0.99$ calendar app, even if I tick all the boxes required to make >>> one, isn't my idea of a job I'd like :) >>> >>> >>> On Tue, Feb 26, 2013 at 2:00 PM, Meng-Yang Lu <ntmon...@gmail.com>wrote: >>> >>>> You have to look at it a different way. There's actually a ton of >>>> applications we can use CG for. It's just that we like to kiss Hollywood's >>>> glittery ass that gets us in trouble. There's a lot of avenues we can all >>>> pursue. Just like iPhone and iPads opened up new doors for us to leverage >>>> our talents, so will things like 3D printing in the future. The reality is >>>> that we have a lot of options if we are willing to set aside our egos and >>>> pursue other meaningful work that provides value. It may not be >>>> as glamorous as film, but film work is no longer glamorous either with >>>> layoffs, bankruptcy, and abuse. Consider we clearly don't get any >>>> recognition as artists, why do we still beg for a seat at a table that >>>> unwelcomes us, but gladly fleece us of our talents? >>>> >>>> We have to start asking what we value as a workforce, starting with >>>> ourselves. A new model needs to be built out of the ashes that is the >>>> current VFX industry. Kids on youtube doing vlogs make more money than >>>> some fulltime vfx artists. Don't watch the Oscars if it makes your blood >>>> boil. You pop an artery and that's a lot of problems you have to deal >>>> with. And no, RDJ will not rescue you in his Iron Man suit because without >>>> us, he doesn't even exist. >>>> >>>> -Lu >>>> >>>> >> >
