How To Land Your Dream VFX Job 1
How To Land Your Dream VFX Job 1
How To Land Your Dream VFX Job 1
70+ PAGES
DEMO REEL TIPS
SALARY ANALYSIS
INSIDE BONUS
FREE VFX COURSE LESSONS
EXCLUSIVE GUIDE
WELCOME
Do you want to land a VFX studio job at ILM, Disney, or Weta? In a recent survey with Rebelway
alumni, we found that the majority of aspiring VFX artists have the same goal, land a job at a dream
studio. I totally understand.
Working for a killer VFX studio is a respectable and inspiring goal. We've all grown up watching in-
credible VFX and for many of us, the thought of creating similar FX sounds like a dream come true.
But how the heck are you supposed to land a dream job at a studio?
For many, the process of figuring out how to land a gig in the VFX industry sounds illusive, if not, im-
possible. However, we're excited to tell you that it is definitely possible to not only land an incredible
job in the VFX industry, but also land a job at your DREAM studio. It just takes patience and persis-
tence.
So if you're ready to land a gig at your dream studio, you've found the right ebook.
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IMAGE FROM DESTRUCTION FX IN HOUDINI
And if someone says there is a perfect path they are probably trying to sell you something.
The truth is, if you ask one person, they might say they started in the industry by getting coffee for ex-
ecutives and the next might say they started through an internship referral from a friend. There are a
myriad of different ways to get into the VFX industry, but if we had to create a formula, the typical path
is this.
4. You Work Hard for a Couple Years and Move into a Mid-Level Artist Role
5. You Network with Artists and Regularly Update Your Portfolio and Reel
6. Over Time, Referrals and Hard Work will Drive You to Senior-Level Positions
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Myth: You have to be There it is. Now you know what the typical path is like. But you probably
young to become a have 500 more questions.
VFX artist.
In the rest of this ebook, we will try to answer as many questions as pos-
sible related to the path that we outlined, and create a system for you to
land your dream job in the VFX industry. But first, let's chat about what
to expect as a VFX artist.
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VFX INDUSTRY
SALARIES
Before we start talking about the perfect path into
the VFX industry, we thought it'd be helpful to chat
about what it's like to be in the VFX industry and
answer a few common questions that people
have.
IMAGE FROM MAGIC FX IN HOUDINI
ARE VFX ARTISTS Yes, good VFX artists are definitely in demand, and as the en-
tertainment industry continues to grow, VFX artists will continue
IN DEMAND? to be in demand.
However, note that we said 'good' VFX artists. It's not enough to
just have passion, charisma, a good personality, or a degree, you
must be a legitimately good VFX artist to land a dream job in
VFX. There is a shortage of truly great VFX artists.
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HOW MUCH According to Glassdoor, the average VFX Artist in the United
States makes $81,936 a year. However, that number greatly dif-
DOES A VFX fers depending on your specific position and experience. Here's
ARTIST MAKE A a breakdown of salary averages for key VFX positions
YEAR?
• VFX Internship Salary: $11- $17 an Hour
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IMAGE FROM FUTURISTIC UI DESIGN IN HOUDINI
Note: Pay can vary Broken down based on years of experience the average VFX artist
greatly based on makes the following:
location. For example,
•! 0-2 Years of Experience: $51,552 a Year ($25 an Hour)
VFX artists in Los
Angeles make more on •! 2-4 Years of Experience: $67,724 a Year ($32 an Hour)
average than VFX
artists in India. •! 5+ Years of Experience: $104,000 a Year ($50 an Hour)
Typically, 'Dream Studios' are able to offer more salary to their employ-
ees because their quality standards allow them to hire the best talent.
For example, here are the average mid-level VFX artist salaries at a few
popular dream studios:
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WHICH VFX In general, the more technical and experienced the position, the
more money you will make in the VFX industry. There are scores
POSITIONS ARE of talented artists out there, but very few artists have taken the
PAID THE MOST? time to round out their skills by gaining the software/technical
skills required to succeed and stand out. Here's a quick break-
down of the average income of various VFX job types.
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IMAGE FROM REALTIME FX IN HOUDINI
THE PROBLEM You might see the salary numbers and have mixed emotions, but
there's a very important note that aspiring VFX artists should rec-
WITH VFX ognize. Most VFX artists are hired for a limited contract.
SALARIES
While companies like Disney and Dreamworks have the financial
capital to continually employ an army of artists, many studios are
only able to offer temporary contracts based on projects. This
means that while you may make good money for a season, your
income can sometimes be inconsistent or irregular.
However, you also might work for 3 months and be without a job
once the contract is up. It all depends on the type of studio you
are working with.
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WHY ARE MOST Many VFX studios hire artists at an hourly rate. This may seem
strange, but in many cases it can greatly benefit you as a VFX art-
VFX JOBS ist.
HOURLY?
For example, it is a well known fact that VFX artists typically
work longer hours than a normal employee in a different in-
dustry.
Around deadlines, it's not uncommon for artists to work well into
the night and on weekends. If you were a salaried employee,
such a working environment could easily get out of hand.
IMAGE OF VANCOUVER, BC
IMAGE OF LOS ANGELES CALIFORNIA
WHAT COUNTRY The best country for VFX artists is the United States. There are
simply more jobs and opportunities than anywhere else. Here's a
IS BEST FOR VFX breakdown of the total number of estimated employed VFX artists
ARTISTS? per country (Info from Studio Hog):
2. Canada: 5,189-17,615
3. India: 3,511-13,087
5. Australia: 1,257-4,233
However, if you are a skilled VFX artist and passionate about im-
proving your skills, you'll be able to find a job in any major VFX
city with hard work and dedication.
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VANCOUVER, BC
WHICH CITY IS According to multiple sources, Vancouver is the best city for as-
piring VFX artists. Many major studios like ILM and Sony have de-
BEST FOR VFX cided to set up permanent locations in Vancouver and the cost of
ARTISTS? living is less expensive than other cities like LA or San Francisco.
Here's a list of great cities for VFX artists courtesy of LifeWire:
1. Vancouver, BC
2. Los Angeles, CA
3. London, England
4. San Francisco, CA
5. Montreal, QC
There are of course other cities that are known for VFX like Berlin,
Toronto, and Austin. But if you were to land at either one of the
five cities on that list above you will never find a shortage of stu-
dios looking for great talent.
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4
THE MOST
IMPORTANT VFX
APPLICATIONS TO
LEARN
Now let's talk about the software you'll need to un-
derstand in order to become a VFX artist.
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IMAGE COURTESY OF JON LANDAU
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SCENE COMPOSITED IN COMPOSITING IN NUKE FROM REBELWAY
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CONCEPT ART FROM AGNES CECCALDI
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RENDERED VIA ARNOLD RENDER IMAGE VIA RODEO FX
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IMAGE VIA EPIC GAMES
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RENDERED IMAGE CREATED BY HADI KARIMI
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MODEL CREATED BY JESUS CHACON
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TEXTURE CRAFTED BY ENRICO TAMMEKÄND
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FUTURISTIC UI DESIGN IN HOUDINI UTILIZES AFTER EFFECTS FOR FINISHING
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IMAGE RENDERED IN CINEMA 4D BY VLADYSLAV LAVRENOV
WHAT ABOUT Truth be told, there are many other applications that we could
have placed on this list. From Cinema 4D to Blender, there are
THE OTHER VFX some truly incredible applications out there that deserve a men-
TOOLS? tion.
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5
VFX EDUCATION
The first step to landing your dream VFX job is to
get educated in the world of VFX. It's no secret...
VFX is a complex and highly technical industry.
DO I NEED TO No, you do not have to attend a VFX college to have a career in
VFX. Plenty of successful artists have self-trained themselves using
ATTEND A VFX online VFX courses to land jobs at major studios. At the end of the
COLLEGE OR day it's your proficiency, portfolio, and personality that will help
SCHOOL TO you land a job, not your degree.
LAND A CAREER However, around 60% of successful VFX artists have attended col-
IN VFX? lege and received a degree in a VFX-related field like Computer Gen-
erated Art (Rebelway Industry Survey 2020). Even if you're passion-
ate, it can be challenging to have the self-discipline and drive to learn
the skills and software required to build a great portfolio.
Good VFX colleges will give you a step-by-step curriculum and guide
you through the specific steps you need to be proficient enough to
land an entry-level VFX gig.
All of these schools have a proven track record for helping their stu-
dents land jobs at some of the biggest studios in the world.
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LAB AT GNOMON SCHOOL OF VFX
HOW MUCH VFX school is not cheap. In fact, most VFX schools cost about
$30,000 a year without room, board, supplies, or books. Coupled
DOES VFX with the fact that VFX schools tend to be in expensive cities and
SCHOOL COST? the reality of going to an in-person VFX school can seem almost
impossible. In fact, the average annual cost to students of the
Gnomon School of Visual Effects is $47,473 a year. Over the
course of 3 years that can equate to over $120,000.
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LAB AT GNOMON SCHOOL OF VFX
Pros: Cons:
• You can ask questions with your instructor. • Waste of time & money if you change careers.
• You’ll network with fellow artists. • Some schools teach outdated techniques.
• You’ll likely be near VFX studios. • Cities with VFX schools can be expensive.
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IMAGE OF INTRODUCTION TO HOUDINI FX AT REBELWAY
1. Rebelway - We offer Houdini courses for new VFX artists and practicing professionals
alike. Our alumni go on to work at places like ILM, Disney, and Weta.
2. FXPHD - The team at FXPHD has been cranking out fantastic VFX courses for years.
3.! Learned Squared - Learned Squared is a great option to get short-format courses
taught by some of the best in the biz.
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It should be noted that if you decide to skip VFX school for a self-taught program, we highly recom-
mend dedicating a substantial amount of hours per week to learning VFX. You should treat your edu-
cation just as seriously as an in-person school. Here are a few rules for creating an alternative VFX
education:
Unlike an in-person school, you will need to be more self-motivated to find success through self-
paced education. As a result, it is highly important for you to join as many networking groups as possi-
ble, both in-person and online. For example, we've created an online chat portal at Rebelway to allow
artists to connect around the world.
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6
LANDING A VFX
INTERNSHIP
So you now have a VFX education and you're feel-
ing pretty great about your skills? That's pretty
cool.
• A Portfolio
• A Great Attitude
While some internships are remote, you will more than likely need
to travel in-person to the studio to complete the internship. As
stated before, this means you will likely need to move to Vancou-
ver, Los Angeles, London, San Francisco, or Montreal.
None of these cities are known for being cheap, so you will need
to save up some money and/or be ok with living in a very basic
living situation for a few months. You will likely need to find a
roommate(s) and live on a dollar menu diet for a while.
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Note: You don’t have When it comes to internships, there should be a hierarchy of goals.
to be a college student Here's the list from most difficult to least difficult:
to land an internship.
1. Land an Internship at Your Dream Studio (Disney, ILM, etc.)
The best studios (obviously) have the most competition around their in-
ternship positions and it is likely that you will be competing with hun-
dreds of other applicants. Landing an internship is a monumental step
forward in your career, even if it's not a Disney.
The more skills you bring to the table the more likely you are to land the
internship.
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IMAGE FROM COMPOSITING IN NUKE
Here are a few of our favorite tips for landing a VFX internship.
1. Have a Great Demo Reel - A great demo reel is the BEST way to stand out as a VFX artist. Your
demo reel will show hiring managers that you are capable of creating great FX work. Keep the reel
short (under 2 minutes) and always start with your best work. It should make people excited and im-
pressed right off the bat.
2. Have a Great Portfolio - Create an online portfolio that features your work and any GREAT exam-
ples of your artistic capabilities. If you don't have enough work, create fake projects to include in your
portfolio. Show that you understand the pipeline of VFX by showing screenshots from the various
stages of production, from sketch to render.
3. Ask for Help - Find other VFX artists in the department in which you want to work. Reach out to
them and ask for any advice on who to talk to about the gig. You'll often find that by making a friend
at the studio you can more easily land a gig. It also makes it 5x easier to say 'Greg Smith' referred
you to the hiring manager, rather than sending a cold email.
4. Send Follow-Up Emails - Reach out to the head of recruiting or HR at the studio in which you ap-
ply. Let them know that you are interested in the internship and willing to do whatever it takes to land
the gig. Prove that you are familiar with the studio's work and share what skills you might be able to
bring to the table.
5. Hit Them Up on Social - Send messages to their social accounts and ask if there's anything you
can do to stand out.
6. Make Yourself Known - Most applicants will send a resume and basic portfolio, some will send
follow-up emails, but very few candidates will go out of their way to do something special for their ap-
plication. For example, make a VFX video about why you want the gig. Write a song. Send a case of
custom beer with your face on it to the hiring manager. It may sound ridiculous, but you will ABSO-
LUTELY stand out if you follow this strategy. After all, this is your dream studio. Don't let shame keep
you from landing the gig, this is your 'boombox in the rain' moment.
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ONCE YOU LAND After you land an internship there are two rules: work hard and
be a good person. Your work ethic and personality will open
AN INTERNSHIP more doors than anything else. Befriend as many people as pos-
sible at the studio. Get your work done, show up on time, and
learn from experienced artists and leaders at the job. Everyone
has something to teach you.
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7
LANDING A
JUNIOR VFX JOB
Most people land their first jobs at a VFX studio as
a Junior Artist or VFX Runner. Let’s take a look at
how to land one of these gigs.
WHAT IS A As the name implies, a Junior VFX Artist is a position that is typi-
cally reserved for artists who are new to VFX or straight out of
JUNIOR ARTIST? school. A Junior VFX Artist position is the perfect role for some-
one looking to learn and get their foot in the door. Studios typi-
cally hire VFX positions as Junior, Mid, and Senior level. As a re-
sult, there is less expectation for Junior Artists to be masters of
their craft.
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WHAT IS A VFX A VFX Runner is a person who does a variety of support tasks at
a studio. Typically runners will deliver messages, files, and materi-
RUNNER? als as-needed. VFX Runners are like Production Assistants on a
film set, they do a variety of tasks for lower-than-ideal pay. A run-
ner is more on the 'Production' team than the 'Artistic' team, mak-
ing it a great position for someone who is looking to become a
production manager or producer. A runner position is a great way
to learn the inner-workings of a VFX studio.
These junior roles help you gain the skills you need to get your
foot in the door even if you don't have the experience of a typical
mid-level VFX Artist. Typically someone will work in a Junior Artist
role from 6 months to 2 years before being promoted to a mid-
level VFX Artist role.
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IMAGE FROM COMPOSITING IN NUKE
HOW TO LAND A Landing a Junior VFX role is very similar to landing a VFX intern-
ship. If you've already read these tips, feel free to skip them:
JUNIOR VFX
ARTIST ROLE 1. A Great Demo Reel - Make sure your demo reel is up-to-date
and awesome. Always start with the best content.
3. Ask for Help - Reach out to people who work at the studio.
Ask them for any tips on landing a gig or contacting the hiring
manager.
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LANDING A MID-
LEVEL VFX JOB
Once you have some experience under your belt,
it's time to land a mid-level VFX gig.
HOW TO KNOW Many aspiring artists wonder if their work is 'good' enough to
land a job in VFX. One of the best ways to tell if your work is up-
IF YOU'RE to-par with what is expected to land a position is to simply email
'GOOD' your demo reel and portfolio to artists or hiring managers at vari-
ENOUGH TO ous studios. You can hit them up on LinkedIn, Instagram, or
LAND A DECENT email.
VFX JOB Ask for some feedback and see if they can spot any areas to im-
prove. People are typically excited to give someone feedback or
too busy to bother. It's worth reaching out either way.
Even if they don't have a spot for you at their studio, they might
be able to refer you to another studio.
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WHAT SKILLS DO I NEED TO LAND A VFX JOB?
When it comes to landing a VFX job you need to have what I call 'The Trifecta of Competency'.
Experience is pretty straight-forward, do you have real experience doing the required tasks? If you
don't have experience, do everything in your power to gain experience. This includes landing an in-
ternship or entry-level job. Most mid-level artist jobs require 2-3 years of experience at a studio.
Soft skills are interpersonal skills that have a lot to do with your character and personality. Notable
soft skills include:
• Communication
• Optimistic Personality
• Organizational Skills
• Teamwork
• Motivation
Many people applying for your position may have the same hard-skills, but having great soft skills will
make you a likable person and increase your chances of landing the gig.
Hard skills are the specific skills that you will bring to the table. Understanding Houdini, 3D modeling,
compositing in Nuke, and rendering with Arnold are examples of hard skills. You will need to have dif-
ferent skills depending on the job you want. We'll list out the specific skills in the next section.
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WHAT SOFTWARE Here's a rough breakdown of the ideal skills you'll need, but keep
in mind that studios may look for something different depending
DO I NEED TO on their own needs and pipelines.
LEARN TO LAND
A VFX JOB? Skills Required for Aspiring VFX Generalists:
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Skills Required for Aspiring FX/Simulatoin Artists:
• Optional Skills: Scripting, Math, 3DS Max, Tool Creation, Illustration, Animation,
Unreal Engine,
• Optional Skills: Maya, Photoshop, Scripting, Math, 3DS Max, Tool Creation, Illustration,
Animation, Unreal Engine, PyQT, mysql, PyMEL, C/C++,
If you don’t have the skills required to land one of your dream positions listed above, stop reading this
sentence and sign up for a course on that subject. There's no better time to start learning than right
now. There is a high demand for artists who meet the criteria listed above.
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IMAGE FROM ADVANCED HOUDINI FX - RISE
A demo reel is going to prove to a hiring manager that you know what you're doing. Aside from a di-
rect reference, a demo reel is the only way to prove that you are up to the challenge of working at a
high-end studio. As the saying goes, the proof is in the pudding.
A demo reel is a quick snapshot of your own taste and curation skills as an artist. As an artist, you are
developing your own personal brand, and your ability to reinforce your brand in everything from mu-
sic to MoGraph is what will help set you apart from the crowd.
3. Create Trust
Some artists (but certainly not you) will lie on their demo reel by sharing work that other people have
made, or curating the reel to over exaggerate their contributions to the project. Don't be that person.
Include text in the bottom corner of the screen to give your shots context.
Some artists prefer to create a demo reel that is timed to music and dramatically edited to feel like a
movie trailer, while others opt for a more simple approach and create a short montage of their work.
We personally recommend injecting your own personality into your demo reel. From music to motion
design, try to make your demo reel stand out. You want it to be something that people watch and get
excited about. The more people who like and share your reel, the more opportunities you'll have to be
seen by potential hiring managers and studio executives.
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IMAGE FROM VEX FOR HOUDINI ARTISTS
OUR VFX DEMO 1. Start with Your Best Shots - People decide if they want to
watch a video within the first 8 seconds, as a result, you should
REEL TIPS front load your VFX demo reel with the best content possible.
4. Cut to Music - Like a movie trailer, the track you pick for your
demo reel is going to set the tone of how people perceive you.
Try to pick a track that reinforces your brand as a person and the
industry you are trying to break into. For example, if you are try-
ing to do abstract simulation work, a cool indie-track might be
the way to go. If you are trying to create epic movie destruction
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IMAGE FROM EXPLOSION FX IN HOUDINI
FX, a rock track might be your best bet. I typi- 7. Create an Engaging Featured Image - After
cally recommend PremiumBeat for music be- you've created your demo reel, it's time to create
cause they are royalty free and high quality, but an engaging featured image. Some people opt
you can find some cheaper options out there.
to just use a great thumbnail from the video itself,
others will create something more custom. There
isn't a right or wrong way to do this, just make
5. Give Yourself a Title - Don't just include your sure that the thumbnail is engaging.
name at the end of the video, let people know
what type of artist you are. If you want to be a
technical director, put Technical Director. If you 8. Publish On All Social Channels - Once your
want to be an FX Artist, put FX Artist. Don't let im- demo reel is complete, publish it on all of your
poster syndrome keep you from claiming your social channels. Be sure to use hashtags on In-
dream role.
stagram and Twitter. Most importantly, publish it
to Vimeo and YouTube. Vimeo is the best tool for
getting your demo reel seen by the right people.
6. Add Your Contact Details - Add your contact Note: You may have to do a 59 second cutdown
details to the end of your demo reel. This should for Instagram.
include a link to your portfolio and your email ad-
dress. And for the love of all things rendered, if
you have an unprofessional email address get a 9. Do a Little PR - After you share out your demo
new one. If you can't think of a good address just reel, it's time to do a little PR work. Share your
do [email protected].
demo reel with online demo reel curation commu-
(ex. [email protected])
nities on Vimeo, add it to the VFX subreddit,
send it to Instagram communities that repost VFX
videos.
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RENDERED IN WATER FX IN HOUDINI AT REBELWAY
WHAT IF I DON'T One question that I get asked all the time is, 'what if I don't have
good/enough content for my demo reel?' The answer to this ques-
HAVE ENOUGH tion is simple, stop overthinking it and create something. Fol-
CONTENT FOR low tutorials, take a class, experiment, combine two shots from
MY DEMO REEL? your favorite artist, etc.
What matters is that you create something that fits the job you
want, not the job you have. Your demo reel should be aspira-
tional for the gigs you want to have in the future. Hiring managers
at top studios want to see that you have the chops to work on pro-
fessional projects and if you don't have in-person experience,
your next best option is to prove your skills with your reel.
Reels don't lie. You can have all of the awards, experience, de-
grees, and courses under your belt, but if your reel looks bad, no-
body is going to care.
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RENDERED IN ENVIRONMENT DESIGN USING HOUDINI
HOW TO MAKE A portfolio is simply an online place for you to collect your favor-
AN AWESOME
ite projects in one place. However, one of the mistakes that I see
new artists often make is including every project they've ever
PORTFOLIO worked on. This is a big mistake.
The largest studios in the world will typically only post around
20% of the projects they work on. Why? Well, they are trying to
keep up the perceived quality of their work.
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What Tool is Best for Hosting a Portfolio?
If you don't know how to make a portfolio, don't worry. Just use user-friendly tools like Squarespace to
host your site. There are templates that can get you started. If you can use technical VFX or editing
software, you can definitely build a drag-and-drop website.
Some artists opt to only have a portfolio on Behance, Artstation, or Dribbble. While I definitely think
you should post your awesome projects on those platforms, you should always have your own web-
site.
You don't control how third-party portfolio sites show and share your work. If one day Behance de-
cided that it is going to reduce the number of VFX projects shown in the algorithm, you might lose
your potential reach by 50%. That wouldn't be cool.
As a result, It's important to funnel traffic and people from all kinds of different online platforms (Vi-
meo, Facebook, Artstation, etc.) to your site because you have control over those platforms. As more
people visit your website, you will slowly build up a following. Over time, this following could evolve
into a collection of people who are ready to hire you or even buy a course or tool.
You never know where your career could take you, so it's best to start building up your website now.
2. A Contact Page
6. An About Page
Do your research and analyze your favorite artist's portfolio. You'll likely find many of these same ele-
ments.
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A VFX RESUME The goal of a resume is to prove your proficiency and experi-
ence, not showcase your artwork. Keep your resume simple.
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Things to Include on a VFX Resume
• Name
• Location
• Phone
• Work Experience
Dates of Employment
Notable Projects or Clients
Direct Reports
Technical Proficiencies
Organizational Skills
Understanding of VFX Pipelines
Software
Render Engines
Communication Skills
Interpersonal Skills
Critical Skills (Takes Feedback, Works Well Under Pressure, etc.)
If you'd like to find a free VFX resume template, here's a link to one of our favs. Just make sure to
change up the words. Who knows how many people have used this template.
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APPLYING FOR A If you have a demo reel, portfolio, and resume in place, it's time
to begin applying for a job. The hiring process at a studio can
VFX JOB vary greatly depending on what the studio is looking for. How-
ever, the process for applying for a gig is similar to that of a typi-
cal job. You will need to apply via their online application system
and be sure to send a link to your demo reel and portfolio.
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Here's an example:
Hey Saber,
I hope you are doing well in this season. It looks like things are pretty crazy in New York.
I was looking at the jobs board on your studio's website and saw that you are hiring a 3D
Generalist to work in your film department.
As it turns out, I have all of the skills listed in the job posting so I applied for the role.
I think my experience on similar 3D projects would make me a great asset to the studio. But
ultimately I'm looking to get some feedback on my demo reel to let me know if my suspicion
is correct.
As a result, I'm looking to contact the hiring manager for the role and get some feedback on
my reel as it relates to the position.
If not, would you mind connecting me with the person hiring the 3D generalist role?
Thank you in advance. I know you're probably busy, but I really appreciate it.
Thank You,
Your Name
I like to use a tool called 'Mail Track' to tell me if someone has opened my email. If they have opened
your email and didn't respond, send a follow email as a reminder.
If you still get no response, try a different email address at the company. If you still don't get a re-
sponse, you can use the company's contact page to get a general studio email address.
Studios are notorious for taking a long time to contact candidates. Keep that in mind as you wait for
your call back.
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INTERVIEWING Interviewing at a studio is not as scary as it seems. Typically the
person doing the interview has experience as an artist or they
FOR A VFX JOB work closely with other artists in their day-to-day jobs. As a result,
you can usually break the ice by talking about 'nerdy' topics like
render engines, a new VFX trend, or an interesting VFX project
that you've seen.
Don't lie in your interview. Hiring managers can snuff out a lie
from a mile away. Instead, be forthcoming about your own experi-
ence and knowledge.
It's kinda funny, but I've found that it's actually humility, not pride
that keeps people from landing gigs. As an artist, you have way
more experience than they realize.
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Seriously, get a sheet of paper and write down all of your experience as an artist. You'll quickly realize
that you're a lot more knowledgeable than you think.
• In your opinion, are there any skills needed for this position that I am missing?
After the interview, you should immediately send a follow up email to the person who interviewed
you. Say thank you for the interview and let them know you are available if they have any further ques-
tions.
You will likely have multiple interviews. Send a follow up email every time.
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You're a dreamer, and as such, you probably have a very specific role at a very specific company
that you want to work for.
From my experience, I've found that there are really three main ways to land these jobs at high-end
VFX studios.
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Technique #2: Become Incredible in a Niche, Apply for Posi-
tions as they Appear
Another technique for landing a dream job is to go out and gain the skills needed to land the gig and
make a name for yourself in that niche. For example, if you want to be a particle FX artist at Disney,
become a legendary particle FX artist that is too good to ignore.
Practice in your free time, post on instagram, and continually improve your skills. Once your dream
studio gig opens up, apply. If you've already made a name for yourself in the industry, your hiring
manager may already know who you are.
This last technique is for people who are good at networking. While it’s weird to become friends with
someone simply because they work at a dream studio, it is totally normal and good to try to surround
yourself with artists who are artistically where you want to be.
Word of mouth referrals account for the majority of artists hired at studios around the world, so as
soon as the right gig pops up, your friends may be able to give you the inside scoop.
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HOW TO
NETWORK WITH
OTHER VFX
ARTISTS
More than portfolios, demo reels, experience, and
resumes, it's your network that will yield the great-
est impact on your career. A great network of moti-
vated artists is a powerful asset. Thankfully, you
don't have to live in a major VFX city to start net-
working with fellow creatives. There are many dif-
ferent options for gaining friends in the industry.
WAYS TO NETWORK WITH VFX ARTISTS
1. ONLINE GROUPS
The internet is littered with online VFX groups. From Facebook to Discord, you'll find an FX group for
just about every major artistic discipline in the industry. Online groups are a great way to meet people
from around the globe and give feedback on projects. They are also a perfect place to get first dibs
on new roles that pop up in the industry.
2. MEETUPS
There are hundreds of in-person VFX meetups around the world. If you happen to live near one, there
is no excuse to not attend each and every meeting. Aside from working in a studio, in-person
meetups are probably the best way to make real friends in the industry.
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3. EVENTS
While meetups are local gatherings, Events can draw crowds from all over the world. There are doz-
ens of incredible VFX events around the world, but the cream of the crop is SIGGRAPH. The confer-
ence draws thousands of artists in the industry and is one of the coolest nerd-fests you'll ever attend.
You may feel like you know a lot about VFX, but SIGGRAPH takes it to a whole new level. There are
also plenty of parties to meet fellow artists.
4. SOCIAL MEDIA
Social media isn't just for posting pictures of latte art, it's a fantastic way to connect with fellow VFX
artists. Instead of mindlessly scrolling on Instagram, search for hashtags related to your niche like
#Houdini or #Compositing. Comment on as many posts as you can. DM people and let them know
you love their work. Be an all-around good person and you'll soon find interesting projects and col-
laborations heading your way.
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As you probably know, we've specifically designed our VFX courses to work around busy FX artist
schedules, but we're not the only VFX school on the block. There are literally dozens of great VFX edu-
cation companies out there that would love to teach you a new skill or technique.
Get in the habit of learning a new VFX skill every single day. There really isn't a 'hack' to getting to the
top. It takes a commitment to learning and a love of the industry.
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12
• 80 Level
• Art of VFX
• Lester Banks
• 3D Total
• Rebelway
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13
NEXT STEPS
So what do you do with all of this info?
YOUR CHECKLIST Every Day
Every Week
Every Month
Every Year
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THANK YOU
I hope you've enjoyed this guide to landing a dream VFX job. If you ever have a question about the
VFX industry or need a little advice for your career, the team at Rebelway is here to help. Just email
[email protected].
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IMAGE FROM ADVANCED SHADING USING ARNOLD
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You can receive your free course lessons by visiting this link.
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