VFX artist

For a successful career in visual effects (VFX) art you'll need to build a portfolio of your experience showing your knowledge of imaging software and your eye for composition

VFX artists create photoreal, digitally-generated imagery. The role requires the seamless integration of these effects into live action in feature films, television and, increasingly, online and console gaming.

You'll use the latest technology to produce computer-generated creatures, crowds and other digital assets. Digital particle effects is also a growing area, which includes elements that simulate natural occurrences such as fire and water, as well as object and lighting manipulation.

You need to make the viewer believe that what they are seeing is real. This could be a dragon, a fairy tale castle, a rainstorm, a big wave, spaceships, superheroes, alien cities or entire planets.

VFX work takes place outside of live-action shooting.

Types of VFX artist roles

There three main types of visual effects are:

• computer-generated imagery (CGI) - created using computer software (usually 3D)
• compositing - combines multiple images into a single image, and includes green screen effects (where you replace a solid background with a new image)
• motion capture (mo-cap) - the movement and facial expressions of actors are tracked so VFX artists can create a digitally-created character.

There are a range of job titles, which can be confusing. In terms of artist roles, the main titles that you might come across include:

• CGI artist
• compositing artist
• effects (FX) technical director (TD)
• FX animator
• motion graphic artist
• multimedia artist
• VFX artist
• VFX supervisor.

Find out more about VFX roles.

Responsibilities

As a VFX artist, you'll need to:

• conceptualise, design and create high-quality, innovative special effects that align with the project's artistic vision and technical requirements
• use VFX software such as Adobe After Effects, Unreal Engine, Autodesk Maya Creative, Houdini and Nuke to design special effects
• provide creative input and ideas, collaborating with other teams to ensure consistency of quality and style
• take direction and feedback from composite leads and VFX supervisors
• work to deadlines and within budgets and ensure projects meet both quality and performance targets
• work with the producer, lead artists and supervisors to track and manage the workflow through the departments
• organise dailies, rounds and meetings, taking notes and following up on information as necessary
• communicate information quickly and succinctly to crew and other departments
• maintain an accurate summary of progress from the previous day's work by artists
• troubleshoot any technical and workflow issues that occur
• manage edits along with the editorial department
• oversee the execution of client deliveries of all temps and finals
• mentor and support junior artists
• keep up to date with the latest industry tools, techniques and trends.

Salary

• Entry level salaries for a VFX artist are £20,000 to £25,000, depending on your experience.
• VFX artists with several years' experience can earn between £30,000 and £40,000.
• Senior VFX artists can earn in excess of £50,000. Highly skilled and experienced VFX artists working on high-budget projects with large studios are likely to earn the highest salaries.

The VFX industry is predominantly made up of freelancers and fixed-term contracts.

Pay varies significantly depending on a range of factors, such as:

• your location (e.g. salaries in London are higher)
• the size of the studio you're working for
• the type of production you're working on, for example film, TV or games
• your area of specialisation.
• your experience, skills and reputation.

Additional benefits may include a bonus scheme and private healthcare.

Income figures are intended as a guide only.

Working hours

Working hours can be long, especially close to deadlines, when clients change their requirements or when unexpected problems occur requiring immediate attention.

A typical day may start at 9am but finish late. You may need to work the occasional weekend as deadlines approach.

There are some opportunities for hybrid working.

What to expect

• You will work in an office environment, usually in a studio (although it may be possible to work from home).
• VFX tends to be a social industry. There are excellent opportunities to build your network by mixing with other staff at social events. You may be invited to sports competitions, social clubs and the occasional celebration, wrap party or launch event, depending on where you work.
• You must be able to accept criticism as a request for something to be changed, rather than anything personal. Use any criticism you receive as an opportunity for self-development.
• You may need to attend daily progress meetings to keep the team up to date. You will need to explain what you have done and what your plan is - just tell it like it is.

Qualifications

Although you don't need a degree or HND to become a VFX artist, it can be beneficial. Relevant subjects include:

• art, including animation, design, illustration, painting, drawing or photography
• computer science
• maths or physics
• science, especially physics, computer science or engineering
• visual effects.

You can also take short professional courses in VFX, 3D animation or compositing or in specific software such as After Effects, Houdini, Unreal Engine and Maya. It's a good idea to look at current vacancies to find out the main software packages that employers are using.

Practical experience is often valued more highly by employers than a degree. It's possible to start as a runner in a production house, for example, learning the workflow and then working your way up.

It's also possible to do a Level 4 (Higher) Junior VFX Artist apprenticeship. Apprenticeships combine paid work with part-time study, meaning you can train on the job.

It's essential to build a portfolio or showreel. Your showreel should display quality over quantity, as recruiters will notice where shots are refined meticulously, and must be accessible through a webpage or other digital media.

Skills

You'll need to have:

• the ability to create and implement high quality VFX
• a good eye for composition, colour, light and shadow
• strong visual awareness and artistic ability
• knowledge of the main 3D animation and VFX compositing software packages
• excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• lateral thinking skills and a creative approach to problem solving
• organisation and time management skills, with the ability to prioritise conflicting tasks
• the ability to work collaboratively as part of a team as well as alone, with a minimum of supervision
• an eye for detail with a methodical and thorough approach to work
• the ability to accept (and provide) criticism, to interpret feedback and use your artistic eye to make improvements
• project management skills
• the ability to remain calm and confident in a fast-paced environment
• good knowledge of Microsoft Office packages (including Word, Excel and Project)
• passion and enthusiasm to learn and develop professionally
• a willingness to keep up to date with developments and best practice in the industry.

Work experience

Any work experience that you can gain will be useful - the best way to do this is through side projects while at college and university and putting these into a showreel or portfolio. Look out for internships and work placements in VFX or animation studios.

You will need to build up an online portfolio of your work and could use Blender or other free computer graphics software. Your portfolio should show that you have a strong artistic eye and can produce work using a range of VFX styles that has impact, timing and visual flair.

Your initial aim is to get your foot in the door of a VFX company. It's not uncommon to start as a runner or an assistant. You can then start shadowing artists, networking and applying for opportunities as they come up while you work.

You could also apply to be a VFX trainee through ScreenSkills - Trainee Finder, which gives you hands-on experience in the industry and helps you build essential contacts for finding a job.

There are also VFX apprenticeships available from NextGen Skills Academy, a two-year training programme that combines learning with working in the industry.

Find out more about the different kinds of work experience and internships that are available.

Employers

VFX is still a relatively new industry but has developed quickly due to advances in technology and a desire for increasingly complex effects. According to the UK Screen Alliance, the UK is a world-leading centre for visual effects production, with London having a number of the world’s largest visual effects companies.

There are also major production centres in countries such as the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, India, South East Asia and Europe.

There are opportunities with:

• major VFX and animation studios such as Framestore, DNEG, MPC and Cinesite
• boutique independent VFX houses such as BlueBolt, Milk, Union and One of Us.

These studios work in film, television, streaming media and immersive entertainment.

Other opportunities are available in the gaming industry and also in advertising and architecture.

Look for job vacancies at:

• Little Black Book
• Amiqus - for VFX opportunities in the games industry.
• ScreenSkills jobs
• websites of design and animation studios - see Animation UK for links to its members' recruitment pages.
• LinkedIn.

You can also apply directly to companies in the film and television and gaming industries.

Professional development

Most of your training will be on the job, learning from more experienced VFX artists. It's vital to keep your skills and knowledge up to date through continuing professional development (CPD) and you'll need to be self-motivated and look out for opportunities to further your skills.

This can be done by:

• taking short courses in new software tools and techniques
• reading magazines
• reading and writing blogs
• joining relevant online forums
• attending conferences and events
• joining ACM SIGGRAPH, an international community for business professionals, including VFX artists, interested in computer graphics and interactive techniques.

ScreenSkills runs an in-house mentoring programme and supports other organisations that are keen to offer mentoring.

The global Visual Effects Society (VES) has a branch in London, which runs events and provides networking opportunities.

Industry magazines include:

• Animation World Network
• CGW - Computer Graphics World
• VFX Voice - the magazine of the VES.

Career prospects

Progression within the VFX industry is usually dependent on your reputation and the number of credits you've earned on films, television programmes, adverts or games. It can take time to get experience, develop your career and establish a reputation.

Networking and keeping up to date with the latest industry trends, tools and techniques are vital and you will need to be proactive in seeking out opportunities to develop your range of contacts and build up your skills.

You will typically start in an entry-level role such as runner or assistant, before becoming a junior VFX artist. Junior VFX artists typically have around one-to-three years' experience before they move into a mid-weight role. Once you've been in the industry for seven years or more you will usually be in a senior VFX artist role. As you progress, you're likely to specialise in a specific area, such as compositing or specific aspects of CGI.

It's fairly common for experienced VFX technical directors (TD) to move into pipeline and research and development roles. More senior VFX TDs can go on to become VFX supervisors.