The Sticky #6 - 2024. So far, so choppy

Reading back over our first newsletter for 2024, it felt a little optimistic. Like - “The US strikes are over! Things are picking back up!”

But moving into the last financial quarter of the year, things still feel very uncertain in VFX-land. Major, international studios with large Australian employee bases are letting people go, still (some with the promise of re-hire later this year). ?Several smaller studios began the year with the hope (and in some cases, the promise) of projects landing which then failed to materialise, for a variety of reasons.

Some of our clients returned from AusFilm week in LA reporting that business is very much not as usual, with several US film-based unions still in negotiations. Although there is not currently striking, there is a pervading sense of nervousness until negotiations can be resolved. Also, during the writers strike, the writers didn’t actually write. Which means, of course, that whole production schedules are out and need to be rebuilt.

On a positive front, quotas around Australian content for streaming services could provide a much-needed vitamin across both production and post/VFX if that proposal is accepted by the Commonwealth in the coming months. We’ll have to wait and see. And some studios are starting to rehire a bit...let’s see what the next few months bring.

In Game Dev world things are still feeling transitional. Similarly to VFX, some studios are shedding staff, but others are bouyant and hiring for great game projects. Its depends who has funding, what they have it for, and who is providing it. Again, watch this space.

This means we’re still seeing exceptional, experienced people in-market - ?some ?in sought after skillsets like Senior Comp, FX, Lighting and hands-on Supervisors across both creative and tech. There are experienced tech artists in-market for games, and great senior asset talent.

Check out some of the great people we’ve met below.

Kirsty Parkin

Chief Glu-Maker

ANIMATION & GAMES

Senior CG Generalist - Anim, Rigging Location: NSW

This true generalist began working in the industry in Sydney in the 90s and has a background in advertising before making the jump to animation and FX a number of years back. They are very much a creative with strong onset experience including VFX Supervision and Direction. Strengths are anything to do with Maya related assets - modelling, rigging, surfacing and animation as well as lighting.

Senior Environment Artist Location: NSW

Outstanding Sydney based Environment artist who would be an asset to any AAA studio lucky to snag them. Their ArtStation demonstrates the breadth and extent of their talent. ?They have really invested in creating a series of photoreal environments of different styles from high tech right through to different types of realistic environments. In interview, they demonstrated how hard they work to understand the brief and provide solutions plus alternatives, and truly deliver to deadline.

Lead FX Artist - Unreal Location: NSW

This fantastic candidate comes from animation and is keen to make the leap into games. They love solving technical problems, and they are experienced in Niagara and the VFX pipeline within Unreal. ?They also understand Houdini as well as surfacing, shader writing and all of the things that go with building visual effects in Unreal. He would love to make the jump over into games! ??They are definitely capable of taking the lead and jumping straight in and delivering.

Australian Freelancers

Available across Australia for a variety of roles. Our SupaCru are interviewed, reference checked, and fully employed and insured by us. Reach out if you’d like to find out more.

VFX

Compositing Supervisor Location: Sydney

Highly experienced Comp Supe with many years experience at this level working in studios all over Australia. Sydney based and would like to remain so, but happy to remote.

Senior Compositor Location: NSW

Some great senior comp talent around at the moment, so it’s a great time to talk to candidates who many not be available for long once the market picks back up. Also available freelance!

Post Production Supervisor Location: NSW

This incredible candidate has years of experience both onset and in post in studios across the world. Again, a level of talent not normally easy to access.

Riggers Location: SOUTH AUSTRALIA, NSW, VICTORIA

Several highly experienced and talented Maya 3D riggers available at the moment - with scripting and tool writing ability and experience. Adaptable across animation, AA and AAA games as well as VFX

Layout Artists Location: VARIOUS - AUSTRALIA

Some GREAT layout artists around right now, some with strong creative camera experience and previz, some with track/matchmove. Reach out if you have specific skill requirements to find out more.

Australian Freelancers

Available across Australia for a variety of roles. Our SupaCru are interviewed, reference checked, and fully employed and insured by us. Reach out if you’d like to find out more.