'Magicians' not 'Technicians'

'Magicians' not 'Technicians'

Did you watch 'Life of Pi'?  Did you know that most of the tiger, the meerkats, the environment were created with Computer Graphics by super talented Visual Effect (VFX) artists? 

How incredibly real was the tiger? Would you believe me if I tell you that 80% of the on-screen time of the tiger was created with Computer Graphics? Watch this:

Majority of the Visual Effects for 'Life of Pi' were created by a company called 'Rhythm & Hues'.  In fact 'Rhythm & Hues' won the Oscar for Best Visual Effects last night!  You'd think today, these visual effect artists would be celebrating that their hard work paid off by winning an Academy Award, right? Sadly the truth is that a few weeks ago 'Rhythm & Hues' filed for bankruptcy and most of its employees were laid off without any notice.   Right now most of those hard working artists are scrambling how to get by, deciding where to move next or looking for work.

Last night VFX artists worldwide were ridiculed at the Oscars by the Academy when THIS happened (apologies for the bad quality) 

and to top things off, Director Ang Lee (who wishes VFX were cheaper) while receiving the Oscar for Best Director, thanked everyone and their moms in his winning speech but "forgot" to even say a mere Thank You to the VFX artists.

If you're not familiar with the awful state of the VFX Industry, here are just some of the points VFX Artists are currently fighting for:

California visual effects artists fight foreign film tax credits - LA Times

VFX Demonstration Talking Points On Subsidies - VFX Soldier Blog

VFX protest at Oscars: images from the picket line  - FX Guide

VFX Soldier Blog

If it wasn't for VFX Artists, some of your favorite and top grossing films, would look something like this:

Avengers

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Life of Pi

...so Thank You to all the Visual Effects "Magicians" out there.

In support of VFX Artists worldwide, change your profile picture on Facebook or Twitter to a "green" image and help us spread the word about what VFX artists are fighting for!  (What's the meaning of green in VFX?)

...most importantly, if you are a VFX fellow artist, don't wait until you're out of work to do something about it!  Without your hard work and talent THIS would have been the other possible scenarios for Ang Lee to create 'Life of Pi'.  Print and sign a VFX Union Rep Card NOW!