Self Taught VFX Artists... Listen Up.
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Published 2023-07-04
I share my journey from being a self-taught VFX artist learning on YouTube to becoming a professional in the industry. I'll provide insights into launching your career to get your first job in the industry and how to overcome the challenges faced by independent learners.
You'll find tips on showcasing your skills, networking with professionals, understanding industry expectations, and more! Whether you're a Blender enthusiast, an After Effects wizard, or a VFX hobbyist in your first year of professional work, I hope this video can help you take the next step in your career.
Remember, the 'first step' to becoming a pro is often the hardest.
#VFX, #SelfTaught, #CGI, #Blender, #AfterEffects, #VFXIndustry, #CGIHobbyists, #VisualEffects, #3DModeling, #Animation, #DigitalArt #vfxbreakdown
Make sure to like, share, and subscribe for more insights and tutorials to support your journey in the VFX industry. You got this! 🚀
All Comments (21)
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Connections, connections, connections. Go to expos and well... expose yourself to the players in the field
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I got inspired to do vfx 10 years ago when I saw Andrew Kramer's tutorials. At the time, my laptop couldn't handle the 3D rendering. I gave up on vfx and decided on learning film & motion graphics. But the fire for vfx is still alive. Thanks for sharing your experience!
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I am one of those that actually went to art school and i can say, it kinda pissed me off to find out that most of what i learned could be achieved much cheaper or even free online. We LIBERALLY used a gnomon subscription to teach us what our teachers couldn't. One of the things you don't get when self taught is a roadmap, you don't know what you don't know, and a lot of self taughts get stuck at the stage of making the blender donut and consider shit like ambient occlusion "advanced techniques" just because it seems complicated, when you're just dipping your toe you don't know where the bottom is. And too many get stuck in the mindset of following recipes versus learning the THEORY. If you don't know how to solve a situation the tutorial hasn't covered you won't be hired, but if you truly know the tools and the theory, and can apply problem solving skills to any problem that can be thrown at you, thats the kind of job skills that will get you hired. I haven't even updated my reel in years because i continually deal with people who already know what i can do and often just give a sample that applies to their specific situation. I can crank out a pretty shot in a couple days that is "reel worthy" or spend months on something that is very technically difficult yet looks crap on a reel. I know at the end of the day, recruiters in the VFX industry are idiots that are wowed by pretty colors, while the supervisors just want to know you can talk shop and can feel you out whether you know what you're doing from just a conversation. But if you manage to score that VFX job and immediately they throw a situation at you you HAVEN'T been in, guaranteed you're going to underestimate the amount of time and work it is going to take, overpromise and underdeliver, because thats what overconfident beginners do. Be humble and admit what you don't know.
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I told a friend of mine about Blender. He was like "so..is it a subscription, or do you pay up front...?" He was blown away that it was actually literally free and could do everything I was telling him about. There's other tools that are cheap to free and can teach the skills, and even cheap consumer phones come with cameras that can capture high-resolution footage. This is an amazing time to learn on your own.
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I just got back into VFX after 10 years of being an on set Assistant Director. It was grueling and I decided to turn back to something I always loved growing up. I always was creating. Stop motion, hand animation, computer generated animation and VFX. Tech has changed so much since I was creating and I am really loving YouTube and the way it’s changed the education landscape. Thanks for this video, I needed to see this as I embark on my own new journey.
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That's awesome Josh! Most of your experience, I can compare with my journey too. It's good to see that I'm not the only person in the same situation, and I'm always learning. Congrats man!
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Great advice for people trying to break in! Thanks for the shoutout
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Sometimes videos and messages likes this, comes in the right moment. Thank you Josh!
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This is too cool man. Been teaching myself for the last 3 years. It does give me some hope! thanks man.
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Great vibes man, thank you for the injection of your positive energy
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This video is exhilarating! Thanks Josh!
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Nice Cinematic video Tuto 😅 Love your videos.
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Very good advice! Congrats on the gig and your journey!
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Hi Josh! It'd be great to see from you "real world" lighting vfx workflow breakdown, as an example for beginner 3d lighting artists, like, what to expect/be prepared for, working within studio. It might be very helpful! Anyway, see you
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This was an Awesome video!! Thanks a million!!
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Thanks for this video...I am also a self learner.... This video boosts me..
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😂great work Josh I know you like that jacket I call it VFX jacket and since you like VFX music CGIs id like to challenge you in one battle of hip hop songs you look like a rap star in that jacket. Good work hardware you are my guy keep up
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Awesome ,Thank you Four your advices
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love your message, liked subbed and commented as a small thank you
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i really like the way you explain things. and i learned a lot and really want to work with you on projects.
