Have you ever wondered how to be a VFX Artist in India or what is it like to be a VFX Artist? Becoming a VFX Artist requires strong passion, dedication, and continuous learning. In this blog, we are discussing the steps to becoming a VFX Artist in India and addressing the common question arising among the VFX aspirants, Is VFX a good career?

Art is synonymous with patience and passion. Art has evolved to such incredible heights that it is no longer merely traditional art. There is a secret yet somehow popular saying that an artist is often a failure financially. But today, this scenario has drastically changed as new fields were introduced in which artists can delve and make profit from them. One such field is animation and VFX. Visual effects is a gigantic area with numerous branches. A visual effects (VFX) artist’s life can vary according to the type of work they do, the organization they work for, and the projects they are working on.

Is VFX a good career

VFX is a good career option now a days as the demand for VFX Artists is increasing. This is because the films started using more visual effects compared to the past. Even though aspirants are passionate about VFX, some might have second thoughts about choosing VFX as a career. There are some perks to choosing VFX as a career.

International exposure

The global demand for visual effects has skyrocketed in recent years. The reason being the advancements in the latest technology which film makers make maximum use of.

Space for creativity

VFX is truly a creative arena and that’s why the employees working in this field are called ‘artists’.

Flow of job opportunities

Just like there are multiple branches in VFX industry, there are enormous job opportunities in each one of them. You can choose one as per your interest and experience.

Demand for qualified artists

When compared to the growing need of the hour, innovative abilities are few. India is home to the greatest and most skilled institutes for VFX and animation. But people are only beginning to realize it. Qualified talent does not enter this vast ocean of possibilities because of the stereotypes of ordinary families who force their children to pursue medical, engineering, or other comparable degrees. However, clever pupils can capitalize on this scarcity, which inevitably creates a high demand.

Rapid growth of industry

According to reports from 2021, the VFX business is growing at a high rate, with a CGAR rise of 17.5%. It’s clear that chances will materialize gradually. Comparing the last ten years to now, there has been a significant increase in 3D animated films only in India. The desire to improve the best possible cinematic experience is growing every day. This is evident in the way that films like Avengers, Spiderman, Harry Potter, and so on are received by the vast majority of viewers and fans.

Advancements in Technology

Apparently, the demand for visual effects in movies is rapidly increasing. This indicates that there is a great need in this specific business for qualified individuals. Everything uses a lot of visual effects, whether it’s Bollywood shows like Brahmastra, Hollywood movies like Avatar, or web series like Game of Thrones. This increased the amount of creativity and imagination that could be used in filmmaking. This would expand the VFX industry in India and provide students with more opportunities. Trends right now indicate that VFX artists have a promising future. Demand will nevertheless increase gradually but steadily. VFX artists are in high demand in industries such as mobile gaming and app development. Future advancements will cause these fields to expand.

Is VFX a good career in India

India is now becoming a hub for the VFX Industry as the quality of works done by VFX Artists in India is reaching higher audiences. The main reason why VFX Artists are gaining popularity in India is because of the low cost and efficiency as compared to other countries. In short, choosing VFX as a career solely depends upon the interest of each one of you. Remember that, if you are willing to work hard, this career path in India promises an exciting future ahead.

How to be a VFX Artist in India

This is a common asked question among VFX aspirants “How to be a VFX Artist in India”, along with “Is VFX a good career”. You should always remember that any skill takes time to master, and progress takes time. Being a great VFX artist requires learning, making mistakes, fixing them, picking up new skills, and never quitting no matter what.

Always remember not to be too hard on yourself, especially at first. Although imperfections are unavoidable, they do not automatically rule someone out for VFX. Show your work to other VFX artists and get their advice without fear. Don’t be afraid to share your artwork on social media, and keep learning and growing.

This may sound like old news to you, but it’s especially true for VFX artists. Realizing that learning never ends is a necessary component of being a VFX artist.
It’s likely that you have observed the rapid advancement of software for digital art, with new upgrades released daily. The learning process never ends because there are so many new features and tools to discover. Furthermore, learning how to use the built-in tools of sophisticated software like Houdini and Unreal Engine is actually just the beginning. By using code, you may extract even more functionality from them. You may eventually begin building your own tools for VFX production if you sharpen your skills in no time. This may sound like cliché, but it’s especially true for VFX artists. Realizing that the never-ending learning is a necessary component of being a VFX artist.

If you are still thinking about How to be a VFX Artist in India then follow these simple 7 steps;

Choose the right institution to learn VFX.
Enhance your skills in the software used in VFX.
Generate Practical experience to kick-start your career.
Create a strong Profile / Portfolio.
Create job application and apply for jobs till you find the right job.
Try to create connections with the industrial experts in VFX.
Continuous learning and staying up-to-date with the latest changes in the VFX Industry.

Multiple opportunities in VFX

VFX is an umbrella term where each of its branches/departments has a different scope, different responsibilities, and different pay scales. Some of the main VFX techniques are Compositing, Rotoscopy, etc.

Rotoscopy: To separate the character layer from the background, rotoscopy is similar to animating a roto frame by frame. You also need to be accurate and fast for this. These are talents that you can master with practice and experience.
Composting: In order to make the background look more realistic and life-like, compositing requires combining and tracking the alpha obtained during rotoscoping.

Paint: Extraneous elements in video background is covered with paint. For instance, wires used to shoot stunts and action scenes are concealed with it

What will be the working hours of a VFX artist?

You cannot expect the usual 9-5 office working time in the VFX industry. Working hours can be lengthy, especially when there are deadlines approaching, clients changing their needs, and unforeseen circumstances that need to be resolved right away. A normal day can begin at nine in the morning and end late at night. When deadlines draw near, working late or on the occasional weekend is not unusual.

What are the qualifications required to be a VFX artist?

The requirement for joining a VFX course does not typically include an academic background. A basic education level, such as completing 10th grade, is sufficient. If you’re passionate towards the subject and have enough patience to learn the art and complete it, have an artistic taste, you’re qualified enough to join a VFX course.

Importance of experience and expertise in VFX

Practice makes anything perfect. Experience is of utmost importance in this field. You must keep your artist skills sharp and stay current with the latest trends and technologies. Seek opportunities in your field of expertise as a VFX artist.

How much does a VFX Artist earn per month?

An artist’s pay scale gets better with experience, skill level, and proficiency with VFX software tools. VFX artists should be familiar with software such as Silhouette, After Effects and most importantly Nuke.

Conclusion

When considering your career, maintain an open mind. A humble beginning is not as abysmal as you believe. In fact, it is always better to start from scratch to track your progress as well as accumulate skills in all of those sectors. Accepting comparable positions could assist you in discovering other opportunities once you join the VFX sector. Examine the work requirements carefully, and think about obtaining any more certifications that would be helpful.

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VFX as a Career: What is it like to be a VFX artist?