vfx online town hall #1
DESCRIPTION
An open discussion of a visual effects industry in transition Effects driven films like Avatar are breaking box office records while visual effects facilities are forced to shut their doors and most VFX workers face long hours, no benefits and little credit. It's time to start talking about the state of the visual effects industry -- where we are, how we got here and what can be done to move the industry forward in a way that's fair and thriving for artists, facilities and the studios. We've assembled a world class panel with different perspectives and now we'd like to invite you to be part of the conversation. The discussion is open to everyone with an interest in the visual effects industry. Panelists include Chris deFaria -- Vice President, Warner Bros. Pictures Jefferey A. Okun -- Visual Effects Society Chair and visual effects supoervisor Scott Ross -- Co-Founder of Digital Domain & former CEO of Industrial, Light and Magic The panel will be moderated by Lee Stranahan, a former visual effects artist and writer for The Huffington Post whose Open Letter To James Cameron: Fairness For VIsual Effects Artists started discussions all around the world.TRANSCRIPT
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Session One
State of the IndustryMarch 29, 2010
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Welcome
Thank you for attending.Special thanks to
Harry Sherman& WebEx.com
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Tonight’s schedule
IntroductionsAbout The Town HallsState Of The Industry
Audience Q & A
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Lee Stranahan
Career Highlights
• Featured Writer,The Huffington Post
• Teacher VFX / Filmmaking
• Motion Graphics – NBC• Visual Effects work for
FOX, HBO
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Jeff Heusser
Career Highlights
• VFX Artist & Supervisor at facilities including Digital Doman, The Orphanage & Troika
• Co-Chancellor FX PhD• Host & Co-Founder, FX
Guide
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Chris defaria
Career Highlights
• Vice President of Visual Effects & Animation,Warner Bros Pictures
• Executive In Charge of Production– Where The Wild Things
Are– 300
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Jeffrey A. Okun
Career Highlights
• Chair, Visual Effects Society
• VFX Supervisor with credits including– The Day The Earth Stood
Still– The Last Samurai
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Scott Ross
Career Highlights
• Chairman / CEO,Digital Domain
• General Manager, Industrial Light and Magic
• V.P. LucasFilm
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disclaimer
Everyone’s opinions tonightare their own - not those of their respective company or organization.
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About thetown halls
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Origin of these town halls
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Why the VFX town halls?
To encourage discussionof important issues
throughout the entireVFX community.
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VFX town halls
More Town Halls are planned to discuss labor issues,
international competition, the game industry & other
vital topics of interest.
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The State of The Industry
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The big question
Why are VFX films doingso well while VFX facilities
& artists are struggling?
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World’s Top Grossing Films
1. Avatar2. Titanic3. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King4. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest5. The Dark Knight6. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone7. Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End8. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix9. Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince10. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
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World’s Top Grossing Films
Top Ten Films
$11,428,000,000
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World’s Top Grossing Films
Visual Effects Films100%
% of Top Grossing Films by Film Type
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The tough question
What can be done in orderto create a industry where
everyone thrives?
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Lee’s Take
• No simple answers• The digital VFX industry is
young & must mature• We rise or fall together• No supervillians
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The VFX Ecosystem
Studios
Facilities
VFX Artists
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What is at stake?
The future of filmmaking.(No pressure.)
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Scott Ross
Career Highlights
• Chairman / CEO,Digital Domain
• General Manager, Industrial Light and Magic
• V.P. LucasFilm
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Chris defaria
Career Highlights
• Vice President of Visual Effects & Animation,Warner Bros Pictures
• Executive In Charge of Production– Where The Wild Things
Are– 300
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Jeffrey A. Okun
Career Highlights
• Chair, Visual Effects Society
• VFX Supervisor with credits including– The Day The Earth Stood
Still– The Last Samurai
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Questions &answers
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Thank you!
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Session One
State of the IndustryMarch 29, 2010