Open Letter To James Cameron: Fairness For Visual Effects Artists

Here is an interesting article about the work environment  and future trends of a visual effects artist.   It was written by a Huffington Post writer, VFX Artist, and instructor Lee Stranahan.

 

To James Cameron,

I'm addressing this letter to you because you and your films have been such an inspiration to so many who either watch or work in the movies. I'm asking for your help in addressing a problem that few in your audience have probably ever given a thought to -- the unfair treatment and working conditions of visual effects artists around the world.

Visual effects films were dominant commercial forces in 2009. Films like Avatar, District 9 and Star Trek all succeeded because they brought together visual effects with great writing, acting, directing and other cinematic elements. There are other films for which the visual effects seem to be the primary audience motivator. Without any slight, the reality is that people did not go to see recent commercially successful films like G.I. Joe or the Transformers movies for the script, music or the acting. They went in droves to see the spectacular visual effects - the "thrill ride."

For all of these films that rely heavily on visual effects, the studios and theater owners made hundreds of millions of dollars. The writers, composers and actors all will receive well-deserved residual payments for decades to come. But the visual effects artists don't . . .  (more)

For the rest of the article check out the Huffington Post