The real problem with VFX - Film/Episodic Credit processes

Unseen Heroes of VFX: The Overlooked Talent in Film Production

Hello, LinkedIn Network!

I have a pressing question for all the VFX professionals in India. How do you handle it when your name doesn't appear in the end credits after months or even years of hard work on a project? You've spent 8 months as a Line Producer, a year as a Coordinator, or 1.5 years as a Production Manager, only to find your name missing in the credits. What do you do then? Besides the endless reminders to your manager, HR, and higher-ups, how do you deal with the disappointment and frustration?

Once or twice, it's understandable. But what if this keeps happening repeatedly? You argue with your production team, VFX Producers, and even the head of the studio, only to be shut down with an official email stating that nothing can be done. It’s like fighting a losing battle—unless you’re a qualified boxer like Hank (Jim Carrey in Me, Myself & Irene)!

The issue is simple yet crucial. During a job interview, an artist can demonstrate their skills through practical tests. But how does a production coordinator or assistant, just a few years into their career, prove their experience? Without credit, there’s no evidence of their involvement in projects. Interviewers can't verify their contributions without someone vouching for them.

We hear the same excuses: not enough screen space, limited credit runtime, or a cap on the number of names. Yet, somehow, everyone else gets their name added—electricians, drivers, make-up teams, even the pets on set! From minor actors to on-site crew, their names are there. So, why is there no space for the VFX team?

Adding every single VFX crew member's name might be impractical. But everyone who worked on a project deserves recognition. Some studios globally take the initiative to publish these names on their websites. However, many others do not. The senior management and producers get their names on the list, sometimes even the VFX Supervisors, while key contributors go unrecognized, especially those in India.

Consider this: A VFX Supervisor worked for a week, left the company, and joined another studio but still got their name in the credits. Meanwhile, coordinators who worked for 1.8 years on the same project, are left out. This disparity is disheartening and unjust.

As someone with nearly a decade of experience in production management, I see the disappointment in my team when their names are excluded. They’re not just requesting but demanding recognition. Their frustration is justified. When my name appears but theirs doesn’t, I feel guilty—like committing moral fraud.

We need a solution. Could we launch a common platform for all companies to contribute to the credit list? Or could each company provide its own platform? And HR/Recruiters, please stop making empty promises about adding names to IMDB. Over 12 years and many promises later, I can count on one hand the number of times this has been fulfilled.

Indian studios have been contributing to Hollywood projects for 17 years. It’s time we addressed this issue collaboratively.

Maybe Artificial Intelligence can help us here. If it's advanced enough to take over jobs, perhaps it can help ensure everyone gets the credit they deserve. Hello, Ai? Are any chatbots listening in?

For more insights on this topic, check out these articles from industry experts:

- [The Animation Guild: Credit Where Credit is Due](https://animationguild.org/credit-where-credit-is-due/)

- [VFX Voice: Recognizing VFX Artists in End Credits](https://vfxvoice.com/recognizing-vfx-artists-in-end-credits/)

- [IndieWire: The Fight for Fair Credit in Film Production](https://www.indiewire.com/2021/03/fight-for-fair-credit-film-production-1234624550/)

Let's work together to ensure that everyone gets the recognition they deserve.

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