REBELWAY SPECIAL: IS VFX SCHOOL WORTH IT?

70+ PAGES
DEMO REEL TIPS

THE SKILLS YOU NEED

BEST CITIES TO LIVE

SALARY ANALYSIS

INSIDE BONUS
FREE VFX COURSE LESSONS

EXCLUSIVE GUIDE

HOW TO LAND YOUR

DREAM VFX JOB
Insightful information on VFX salaries, locations, important
software to learn, education, landing internship, getting your
first job, resume tips, demo reel advice, and more.
 IMAGE FROM EXPLOSION FX IN HOUDINI

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

THE TYPICAL PATH INTO THE VFX INDUSTRY

Is there a perfect way to get into the VFX industry? No.

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.

1. You Attend a VFX School or Online Training

2. You Land an Internship at a Studio (Typically In-Person)

3. After the Internship You Land a Junior or Runner Job a Studio

(Typically the Internship Studio)

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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2

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.

Like every other creative industry in the world, competition can

be fierce for the best positions. There's also a lot of pressure for
VFX studios to move their studios from US locations like LA to
countries that feature cheaper labor or tax credits. This means
you may find yourself in a city like Montreal instead of Los Ange-
les.

However, if you have a killer portfolio, a good attitude, and the

ability to relocate, you will be better suited than 90% of the appli-
cants that apply for any given position.

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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

• VFX Runner: $15 an Hour

• Junior VFX Artist: $51,552 a Year ($25 an Hour)

• Mid-Level VFX Artist: $67,724 a Year ($32 an Hour)

• Senior VFX Artist: $104,000 a Year ($50 an Hour)

• VFX Supervisor: $160,000 a Year ($75 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:

• Disney VFX Artist Salary: $124K-$133K

• Dreamworks VFX Artist Salary: $147-$160K

•! Blizzard VFX Artist Salary: $90-$100K

That amount is absurdly high compared to other studios, but they

have the pockets to afford the best artists in the world.

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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.

VFX Jobs Ranked from Highest Average Pay to Lowest:

• VFX Supervisor: $160,000 a Year ($75 an Hour)

• Technical Director: $92,190 a Year ($44 an Hour)

• Compositor: $69,655 a Year ($33 an Hour)

• FX Artist: $69,168 a Year ($33 an Hour)

• VFX Generalist: $59,515 a Year ($28 an Hour)

• 3D Modeler: $59,515 a Year ($28 an Hour)

• Storyboard Artist: $41,897 a Year ($20 an Hour)

• VFX Runner: $31,200 a year ($15 an Hour)

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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.

Studios often keep key personnel like supervisors and engineers

as full-time staff and hire artist roles like compositors, FX artists,
and lighting directors as they have project needs. A healthy stu-
dio will typically have the next job lined up once a project is com-
plete, leading to a contract employee to feel like they have a full-
time job.

In fact, you might freelance as an hourly employee for years at a

time, this is called 'permalancing'.

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.

You can typically read reviews on services like Glassdoor to ana-

lyze the hiring style of your dream studio.

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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.

This is why many labor organizers have negotiated contracts with

VFX studios to fight for hourly rates that also increase for over-
time and weekends. An hourly rate is a check-and-balance sys-
tem that rewards you for working longer hours.

You will likely negotiate an hourly or daily rate with a studio,

rather than a yearly salary. Just use a simple calculator to figure
out exactly what you need.
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3
THE BEST
LOCATIONS FOR
VFX ARTISTS
Let's talk about some of the best locations for VFX
artists around the world.

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):

1. United States: 9,441 - 37,637

2. Canada: 5,189-17,615

3. India: 3,511-13,087

4.! United Kingdom: 2,646-10,798

5. Australia: 1,257-4,233

There's a great case for moving to Canada to pursue a career in

VFX as there is less competition. Studios seem to be popping up
every week in places like Montreal and Vancouver, making Can-
ada a great choice for breaking into the industry.

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.

We'll break down which specific software you

should learn based on your desired niche in the in-
dustry further on, but for now, here are the most
popular and import tools in the VFX industry.
 NUKE FROM EXPLOSION FX IN HOUDINI AT REBELWAY

HOUDINI Created By: SideFX

Primary Application: Simulation

Houdini by SideFX is the premiere FX tool used to create high-

end simulations including fire, smoke, water, particles, and more.
While it is best known for simulation, some artists also find it to be
a helpful tool for modeling, rigging, lighting, and more. Houdini
has a steep learning curve, making it a challenging tool for new
VFX artists to learn.

Typically an artist will learn a 3D package like Maya, 3DS Max, or

Cinema 4D before moving on to Houdini for further
specialization.

Houdini’s practical functionality is also expanding as a lot of stu-

dios are starting to use the tool as their main in-house tool for
character FX, rigging, and animation workflows. Studios often de-
velop their own proprietary tools inside Houdini to perform spe-
cific tasks and optimize processes.

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 IMAGE COURTESY OF JON LANDAU

MAYA Created By: Autodesk

Primary Application: 3D Modeling & Animation

Maya is the 3D package of choice in the VFX industry. Using

Maya, artists can model, animate, and render 3D scenes. Maya
has been specifically designed to be integrated into animation
pipelines. However, many studios are beginning to transition to
Houdini pipelines as SideFX makes improvements to animation,
character FX, and rigging tools. Like Houdini, many studios de-
velop their own proprietary tools inside Maya to perform specific
tasks.

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 SCENE COMPOSITED IN COMPOSITING IN NUKE FROM REBELWAY

NUKE Created By: The Foundry

Primary Application: Compositing

Nuke is a high-end 3D compositing application that is the go-to

tool for most of the major VFX studios in the world. Nuke's node-
based digital compositing system makes it a great choice for
high-end FX work.

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 CONCEPT ART FROM AGNES CECCALDI

PHOTOSHOP Created By: Adobe

Primary Application: Image Editing & Processing

Photoshop is another must-know tool for FX artists to master. VFX

artists use Photoshop primarily to prepare image assets for 3D
work. Photoshop is mainly used for matte paintings, concept art,
and illustrations. It is also used extensively in game development
to create hand-painted textures like those found in World of War-
craft or Valorant.

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 RENDERED VIA ARNOLD RENDER IMAGE VIA RODEO FX

ARNOLD Owned By: Autodesk

Primary Application: Realistic Rendering
RENDERER
Arnold is a render engine that makes it easy to render complex
and realistic 3D scenes. It has been used to render some of the
most visually stunning films of all time including The Avengers
and Gravity.

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 IMAGE VIA EPIC GAMES

UNREAL ENGINE Created By: Epic Games

Primary Application: Realtime 3D

Unreal Engine is a realtime 3D creation platform. Using Unreal,

you can create 3D scenes that can be rendered in realtime, mak-
ing it a go-to choice for game developers, VR creators, and live
FX projects.

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 RENDERED IMAGE CREATED BY HADI KARIMI

ZBRUSH Created By: Pixologic

Primary Application: Modeling

ZBrush is a 3D modeling tool used to craft highly detailed 3D

models for VFX work. The tool really shines with character and
creature creation. If you want to create realistic 3D models, this is
an essential tool to master.

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 MODEL CREATED BY JESUS CHACON

SUBSTANCE Created By: Adobe

Primary Application: Painting Textures
PAINTER
Substance Painter allows VFX artists to paint and texture models.
Think of it as a tool that allows you to perfectly color your 3D as-
sets.

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 TEXTURE CRAFTED BY ENRICO TAMMEKÄND

SUBSTANCE Created By: Adobe

Primary Application: Creating Custom Materials
DESIGNER
Substance Designer is a tool that allows VFX artists to create cus-
tom materials in a procedural workflow. If you need to create a
texture from scratch, this is the best tool to use.

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 FUTURISTIC UI DESIGN IN HOUDINI UTILIZES AFTER EFFECTS FOR FINISHING

AFTER EFFECTS Created By: Adobe

Primary Application: Motion Design

Most high-end VFX houses do not use After Effects to create

VFX. While you can create VFX in the software, it is primarily a
compositing application with effects and plugins that make it a
good choice for projects with super fast turnaround times. In the
VFX world, After Effects is typically used as a 'Finishing' applica-
tion for adding in a little extra effects like color adjustments and
asset overlays. It is also used to prepare 2D motion design ele-
ments for everything from data visualizations to explainer videos.

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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.

However, the 10 applications listed are industry-standard. In our

opinion, it's best to start learning the tools you need to know right
away. It will save you more time in the long run, even though the
learning curve can be steep in the beginning.

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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.

As a result, you'll need to be very motivated to

learn the skills necessary to succeed. Let's look at
a few common questions that people have when
learning VFX.
 IMAGE VIA GNOMON SCHOOL OF VFX

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.

If you have the financial means or scholarships, we recommend the

following schools:

• Gnomon (Los Angeles)

$85K for 3-Year Program

• Think Tank Training Center (Vancouver)

$38,000 for 1 -Year Program

• Lost Boys | School of Visual FX - (Montreal/Vancouver) !

! ! $41,900 for 1-Year Program

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.

As a result, many professional VFX artists recommend getting a

part time job and learning from online courses and tutorials
rather than going to an in-person school. In fact, you'll never
really stop learning as a VFX artist anyways. There will always be
new techniques to learn and Houdini courses to attend. School
is only the beginning of your VFX education.

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 LAB AT GNOMON SCHOOL OF VFX

ATTENDING A VFX SCHOOL: QUICK PROS AND CONS LIST

Pros: Cons:

• You’ll learn many of the skills you’ll need. • Price

• 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 receive a degree. • You aren’t guaranteed a job.

• You’ll likely be near VFX studios. • Cities with VFX schools can be expensive.

• It will be easier to land an internship. • Paying off debt for years.

• There may be employee matching programs.

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IS VFX SCHOOL From our industry survey in 2020, only about 35% of VFX col-
WORTH IT? lege graduates are working full-time as artists in the VFX in-
dustry. That low number, when paired with the price of atten-
dance, leads us to the conclusion that VFX school is not worth
it if you must go into debt to pay for it.

If you are able to pay with scholarships, or if you are lucky

enough to have a family who will pay for the experience, VFX
school could be a great option for you. But the majority of art-
ists who attend VFX school will go into debt and will not be
employed as full-time VFX artists after graduation.

Simply put, attending a VFX school is a gamble. This is why

many professionals recommend taking online courses instead.
Because as you'll soon learn, your degree doesn't actually mean
much to hiring managers.

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 IMAGE OF INTRODUCTION TO HOUDINI FX AT REBELWAY

ALTERNATIVES TO VFX SCHOOL

If VFX school is simply too expensive or unrealistic for your situation in life, there is good news,
there are plenty of cheaper alternatives to VFX school that will equip you to land gigs at major
studios. Here are a few of our favs:

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.

4. CG Circuit - A quality place to find inexpensive Houdini tutorials taught by world-

class artists.

5. Applied Houdini - Brainchild of Steven Knipping, an ILM FX TD with a ton of great

courses for Houdini artists.

6. CG Masters Academy - A home to dozens of courses that cover a wide array of CG

topics including VFX, Animation, Digital Illustration, and more.

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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:

• Dedicate At Least 30 Hours a Week for Learning & Practice

• Network with Fellow Artists Online and In-Person

• Reach Out to Industry Professionals to Ask Questions

• Create a Portfolio and Share Your Homework Online

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.

The next step to landing your dream job in the VFX

industry is to get an internship at a respectable stu-
dio.
 IMAGE FROM ADVANCED HOUDINI FX - RISE

HOW DO I LAND Landing a VFX internship is similar to landing an internship at

any other company. You will likely need to apply to the internship
A VFX and do at least one interview.
INTERNSHIP?
Things You'll Need to Land a VFX Internship:

• A Great Demo Reel

• A Portfolio

• A Great Attitude

• Financial Savings to Support The Lower Pay

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.

34
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.)

2. Land an Internship at a Good VFX Studio (CosaFX, Method,

Barnstorm)

3. Land an Internship at a VFX Studio

4. Land an Internship at an Entertainment Company

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.

IMAGE FROM ADVANCED HOUDINI FX - THE CHASE

35
 IMAGE FROM COMPOSITING IN NUKE

TIPS FOR LANDING A GREAT INTERNSHIP

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.

36
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.

If you're a decent person with a good work ethic you'll have a

good chance at landing a job at the studio.

However, if the studio decides to just keep it as a temporary in-

ternship, that's also fine. Which transitions us to the next step in
your career.

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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.

Junior Artists make an average of $51,552 a Year,

or about $25 an Hour.

39
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.

The average VFX runner makes $31,200 a year,

or $15 an Hour.

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.

40
 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.

2. A Great Portfolio - Include a diverse array of artwork and

styles in your portfolio. Some artists get really deep into personal
branding and design consistency. But what matters most is that
your work is impressive.

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.

4. Follow Up - Reach out to the head of recruiting or HR at the

studio in which you apply. Let them know that you are interested
in the job 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 ac-

counts 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 application. 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 ABSOLUTELY 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.

41
8

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.

43
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'.

1. Experience: What You've Done

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.

2. Your Personality: Soft Skills

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.

3. Your Proficiency: Hard Skills

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.

44
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:

• Working Knowledge of Maya or 3DS Max (Modeling,

Texturing, Lighting, Rendering)

• Working Knowledge of Photoshop

• Working Knowledge of After Effects

• Optional Skills: Houdini, Scripting, Illustration,

Animation, Unreal Engine

Skills Required for Aspiring Game FX Artists:

• Working Knowledge of Unreal Engine or Unity

• Working Knowledge of Maya or 3DS Max (Modeling,

Texturing, Lighting, Rendering)

• Working Knowledge of Photoshop

• Optional Skills: Houdini, Scripting, Illustration,

Animation,

45
Skills Required for Aspiring FX/Simulatoin Artists:

• Working Knowledge of Houdini (Simulation, Nodes, Shaders, etc.)

• Working Knowledge of Maya (Modeling, Texturing, Lighting, Rendering)

• Working Knowledge of Compositing in Nuke

• Working Knowledge of Photoshop

• Optional Skills: Scripting, Math, 3DS Max, Tool Creation, Illustration, Animation,
Unreal Engine,

Skills Required for Aspiring Technical Directors:

• Working Knowledge of Python

• Working Knowledge of Compositing in Nuke

• Working Knowledge of Houdini

• Working Knowledge of Arnold or VRAY

• 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.

46
 IMAGE FROM ADVANCED HOUDINI FX - RISE

HOW TO MAKE AN AWESOME DEMO REEL

A great demo reel is hands-down the best tool you have for marketing yourself as a VFX artist. Demo
Reels are helpful because they:

1. Prove Your Skills

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.

2. Show Your Taste

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.

47
 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.

2. Keep it Short - Ideal demo reels are typically 1-2 minutes

long. You want to keep the audience engaged. Think of it as a
movie trailer for you.

3. Include Contextual Descriptions - Let people know what you

did on each individual shot in your demo reel by adding some
white text to a bottom corner. If you don't give context, people
will have no idea what role you served in the shot.

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

48

FX, a rock track might be your best bet. I typi-
cally recommend PremiumBeat for music be-
cause they are royalty free and high quality, but
you can find some cheaper options out there.
5. Give Yourself a Title - Don't just include your
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
want to be an FX Artist, put FX Artist. Don't let im-
poster syndrome keep you from claiming your
dream role.
6. Add Your Contact Details - Add your contact
details to the end of your demo reel. This should
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
new one. If you can't think of a good address just
do yournamevfx@gmail.com.
(ex. johnsmithvfx@gmail.com)
IMAGE FROM EXPLOSION FX IN HOUDINI
7. Create an Engaging Featured Image - After
you've created your demo reel, it's time to create
an engaging featured image. Some people opt
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
sure that the thumbnail is engaging.
8. Publish On All Social Channels - Once your
demo reel is complete, publish it on all of your
social channels. Be sure to use hashtags on In-
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.
Note: You may have to do a 59 second cutdown
for Instagram.
9. Do a Little PR - After you share out your demo
reel, it's time to do a little PR work. Share your
demo reel with online demo reel curation commu-
nities on Vimeo, add it to the VFX subreddit,
send it to Instagram communities that repost VFX
videos.
49
 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.

The list could go on and on.

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.

50
 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.

For example, if Pixar Animation included a Disneyland Travel

DVD project on their portfolio site, it'd be weird. The studio is ca-
pable of doing far more than what their day-to-day projects de-
mand, that's why they only include the best projects in their port-
folio.

The same will be true for you.

Make it your mission to create a portfolio site that you can be

proud of. Quality trumps quantity. Only include your best pro-
jects. But you may be asking...

51
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.

Things to Include in Your Online VFX Portfolio

1. Links to Your Social Profiles

2. A Contact Page

3. Your Email Address

4. Case Studies and Project Breakdowns

5. A Good Picture of Yourself

6. An About Page

7. Logos of Companies You've Worked With

8. Quotes from Previous Clients or Employers

Do your research and analyze your favorite artist's portfolio. You'll likely find many of these same ele-
ments.

52
A VFX RESUME The goal of a resume is to prove your proficiency and experi-
ence, not showcase your artwork. Keep your resume simple.

There is a trend to over-stylize a resume with tons of color, de-

sign, and flare, but in my experience, design often distracts from
the resume.

Try to keep your design to a minimum. A custom header or footer

is as far as you should push it.

Many studios are quickly glancing to look for technical profi-

ciency and experience. So be sure to include bulleted lists and
place your software skills front and center.

53
Things to Include on a VFX Resume

• Name

• Location

• Phone

• Email

• Work Experience

Dates of Employment
Notable Projects or Clients
Direct Reports
Technical Proficiencies
Organizational Skills
Understanding of VFX Pipelines

• Education (If Any)

• Hard & Soft Skills

Software
Render Engines
Communication Skills
Interpersonal Skills
Critical Skills (Takes Feedback, Works Well Under Pressure, etc.)

• References (If Applicable)

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.

54
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.

As soon as you apply, send a follow up email to the hiring

manager at the studio. You can usually find their information via
LinkedIn or using an email finder tool like Hunter.io.

The message should follow the following format:

1. Write a personal note

2. Talk about why you're reaching out.

3. Share what value you'll bring to the table.

4. Ask to connect with the person hiring the role.

55
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 have a quick question for you.

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.

Are you the hiring manager for this 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.

56
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.

These candid conversations not only make the interview process

easier, they prove that you are a good person to be around.

Practice your interview with a fellow artist or friend before

the interview.

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.

57
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.

Questions they will probably ask:

• Tell me a little about yourself

• What skills do you have?

• What are your creative strengths?

• What areas do you need to improve?

• How do you feel about working nights and/or weekends?

Questions to ask in the interview:

• When will you be filling this role?

• In your opinion, are there any skills needed for this position that I am missing?

The Post Interview Follow-Up

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.

58
9

THE 3 MAIN WAYS

TO LAND A DREAM
JOB AT YOUR
FAVORITE VFX
STUDIO
Up to this point, we've talked about how to land a junior and mid-level VFX job. But if you didn't
choose the VFX industry to be mid-level your entire career.

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.

Technique #1: Start at the Very Bottom, Move Up Over Time

The first way to land your dream job is to do it the 'old fashion way'. Get an entry-level job at the com-
pany you want to work for and work your way up to the position you want to have. Sometimes this can
take a few months, but it will probably take a few years. If it truly is a world-class studio, you also
might have to take a pay cut and 'title' cut to get your foot in the door. A Senior FX artist at a small re-
gional studio might only be a mid-level FX artist at ILM.

60
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.

Technique #3: Become Friends with Employees at the Com-

pany, Get the Inside Scoop On New Openings

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.

But how are we going to find these friends?...

61
10

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.

63
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.

64
11

GROWING YOUR VFX SKILLS

VFX isn't something you simply learn and move on from, it's an ongoing process that will require con-
stant refinement and learning. As such, you should be regularly investing in your skills. The best VFX
artists are constantly learning, playing, and collaborating on VFX projects.

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.

65
12

STAYING UP-TO-DATE WITH THE

INDUSTRY
It's also important for you to stay up-to-date on the latest industry trends, techniques, and artists. As
a result, you should be regularly visiting websites that feature information about what's going on
around the industry. Here are a few of our favorite places for VFX news.

• 80 Level

• VFX World Magazine

• Art of VFX

• Lester Banks

• 3D Total

• Rebelway

66
13

NEXT STEPS
So what do you do with all of this info?
YOUR CHECKLIST Every Day

• Comment On Other Artists' Work

• DM or Reach Out to Artists Personally

• Learn Something New (Tutorial, Course, etc.)

Every Week

• Create an Impressive Project for Social Media

• Check Jobs Boards

• Read Up on the Latest VFX News

• Interact in Online Groups

Every Month

• Connect with Your VFX Contacts & Friends

• Upload a Good Project to Your Portfolio

• Update Your Artstation, Behance, and Dribbble

• Attend a VFX Meetup

Every Year

• Update Your Demo Reel

• Create Goals for Your Education

• Attend a VFX Event

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14

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
info@rebelway.net.

Thanks for being an awesome member of the VFX community.

69
 IMAGE FROM ADVANCED SHADING USING ARNOLD

15

GET FREE COURSE LESSONS

If you are passionate about learning and improving your VFX skills, we highly recommend signing up
for free courses lessons over on Rebelway. All of our courses offer free lessons that you can instantly
receive in your inbox.

You can receive your free course lessons by visiting this link.

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