100 VFX JOBS

Celebrating the first of many significant milestones

Its been over three years and 100 VFX deliveries since setting up GVFX – what's the top 5 things I've learned that I wish I knew at the start?

Production basics

It may seem obvious. However, I now know that jobs can be compromised if I fail to discuss working practices before they become critical. For example, VAT, OT, payment terms & hours of work are all much easier to discuss at the start.

Leaving space in the schedule

There's nothing quite like the problem of needing to be in two places at once. Experience has taught me that it's a mistake to start a new job if the previous one has even the slightest chance of offering up a few last surprises. The job you should do is the one you are on.

System architecture

Demanding VFX productions are a great stress test for the kit. At what point might the system buckle? Or at least, hit bottlenecks? Since starting GVFX, a whole new world of fast storage has become of great interest, and I've been adding new disks and back up procedures as required – it's now a very well-oiled system.

Make use of any tool on the market

I've always used Flame with a bit of Nuke on the side. However, I'm not sure if the reputation of a single piece of kit matters so much these days. It's better to pick up the tool that best delivers the solution you need at the time. Delivery is no longer about apps per job, it's about tools for shots.

Knowing where to go for the answers

We can't know it all. It moves too fast and changes too quickly.  When we all worked in facilities, we pooled resources to find the best solutions. With the advent of remote, that's all moved online too – except it's far more effective if you keep up with the right people. Nowadays, it's feasible to hook up with leaders in any subject, skim off the advice you need, and apply it straight away.

Conclusion

One of the most exciting things about working for yourself is the amount you learn. The work is hugely varied.  Facing the unfamiliar is an almost daily occurrence. The nice thing about learning is that the more you do it, the more you want to know. It often feels exciting, as if you are just getting started… Here's to the next 100! 🎉