2 answers
Yazmine
Student
Kerrville, Texas
6
Questions
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How much would I get paid after 10 years ?
#career
#film #job
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2 answers
Donna Hull
Engineer
71
Answers
Columbia
Updated
Donna’s Answer
Yazmine,
Your question is kind of generic. Get paid for what? Generally, this is all up to you. Searching for a career, although ultimately about the money you will earn, is also about finding a profession that you love or at least like. Many individuals complain about their jobs, but something drew them toward that profession. Education, Medical, Military, Police, Religion, usually involves the type of person who is looking to community and others. While Finance, Business, and other Corporate jobs may be driven more by the individual success. That is not to say that these concepts can't combine into something perfect for you. Know yourself, and the money will follow. Good Luck on your endeavors.
Your question is kind of generic. Get paid for what? Generally, this is all up to you. Searching for a career, although ultimately about the money you will earn, is also about finding a profession that you love or at least like. Many individuals complain about their jobs, but something drew them toward that profession. Education, Medical, Military, Police, Religion, usually involves the type of person who is looking to community and others. While Finance, Business, and other Corporate jobs may be driven more by the individual success. That is not to say that these concepts can't combine into something perfect for you. Know yourself, and the money will follow. Good Luck on your endeavors.
Jamie Clark
Visual Effects Artist
30
Answers
Austin, Texas
Updated
Jamie’s Answer
I'm guessing you're asking about a film job.
I can only speak to what I did in film as far as money goes, unfortunately the landscape has changed quite a bit in the 13 years I've been doing video games instead of film.
So I started doing visual effects for film around 2001 or so I believe. I got paid on a contract basis (which is pretty much how all film jobs are setup even today).
So I got paid by the job, model, shot, etc. So it really depended on how long I was there since it was generally a "day rate" or an "hourly rate."
I was on an hourly which I preferred, but some people like day rates because they get paid for the day even if they only show up and work for a few hours.
I personally didn't like doing this... just my preference... always felt like I was "cheating" someone, but that's me... I don't feel like it's wrong, it was just wrong for me.
Some of the jobs I never even set foot in a studio, it was all off-site work.
With those jobs you have to bid (give an estimate) and then the studio either agrees or disagrees. There's a LOT to learn about contracts but I'll make it simple because the only rule that really matters... "GET IT IN WRITING."
If you come to an agreement about payment, ALWAYS... ALWAYS... get it in writing. Or you'll learn the hard way like I did that you can't trust everyone and some people will literally screw you over because they can.
When I left the "biz" I was a "staff artist" which meant I was an employee and was no longer hourly, but salaried.
Being a staff artist now (from what I'm told from friends) isn't generally a norm. Most jobs in film for vfx will be contract.
As far as what I made when I left... I had been in the business about 10 years so it synchs up with your question. I was making in the mid 70s.
In Los Angeles, the mid 70s is like making 40k in Texas (or less depending on your living arrangement).
So you're probably not going to get rich doing vfx work in film generally.
BUT you could do very very well depending on your skill level and the amount of demand for that skill.
For instance... I have a friend that is a matte painter. He works when he wants to work because he makes enough money and has so much demand (he's VERY good at his job) that he simply doesn't have to work that much.
So I agree with the above... asking how much you make is kind of like asking, "How long is a piece of string." It depends.
But maybe I've given you some insight into what you might be looking at should you go into visual effects work.
For other jobs in the industry that are unionized you get paid MUCH MUCH better. I have a friend that does set design and he gets paid almost double what I made (and then some) and also gets a pension, 401k health benefits.
So if I were you and wanted to get into film work I probably would go for something like set design or costume design or basically anything that's unionized since you'll get steadier jobs, better pay, benefits, and a pension.
Good luck, it's an awesome indsutry!
I can only speak to what I did in film as far as money goes, unfortunately the landscape has changed quite a bit in the 13 years I've been doing video games instead of film.
So I started doing visual effects for film around 2001 or so I believe. I got paid on a contract basis (which is pretty much how all film jobs are setup even today).
So I got paid by the job, model, shot, etc. So it really depended on how long I was there since it was generally a "day rate" or an "hourly rate."
I was on an hourly which I preferred, but some people like day rates because they get paid for the day even if they only show up and work for a few hours.
I personally didn't like doing this... just my preference... always felt like I was "cheating" someone, but that's me... I don't feel like it's wrong, it was just wrong for me.
Some of the jobs I never even set foot in a studio, it was all off-site work.
With those jobs you have to bid (give an estimate) and then the studio either agrees or disagrees. There's a LOT to learn about contracts but I'll make it simple because the only rule that really matters... "GET IT IN WRITING."
If you come to an agreement about payment, ALWAYS... ALWAYS... get it in writing. Or you'll learn the hard way like I did that you can't trust everyone and some people will literally screw you over because they can.
When I left the "biz" I was a "staff artist" which meant I was an employee and was no longer hourly, but salaried.
Being a staff artist now (from what I'm told from friends) isn't generally a norm. Most jobs in film for vfx will be contract.
As far as what I made when I left... I had been in the business about 10 years so it synchs up with your question. I was making in the mid 70s.
In Los Angeles, the mid 70s is like making 40k in Texas (or less depending on your living arrangement).
So you're probably not going to get rich doing vfx work in film generally.
BUT you could do very very well depending on your skill level and the amount of demand for that skill.
For instance... I have a friend that is a matte painter. He works when he wants to work because he makes enough money and has so much demand (he's VERY good at his job) that he simply doesn't have to work that much.
So I agree with the above... asking how much you make is kind of like asking, "How long is a piece of string." It depends.
But maybe I've given you some insight into what you might be looking at should you go into visual effects work.
For other jobs in the industry that are unionized you get paid MUCH MUCH better. I have a friend that does set design and he gets paid almost double what I made (and then some) and also gets a pension, 401k health benefits.
So if I were you and wanted to get into film work I probably would go for something like set design or costume design or basically anything that's unionized since you'll get steadier jobs, better pay, benefits, and a pension.
Good luck, it's an awesome indsutry!