It is very sad the state of the VFX industry.
I have my own answers, but that will mean the whole film industry will have to change.  Whatever the answers, remember this image as you watch the Oscars tomorrow.  Hollywood needs to see what is happening to the VFX people who put their heart and soul into this world and create the most amazing images.

Info on Rhythm and Hues’ bankruptcy
http://www.fxguide.com/quicktakes/rh-chapter-11-update/

Visual Effects Society
http://www.visualeffectssociety.com/

VFX Law
https://twitter.com/vfxlaw

VFX Soldier
http://vfxsoldier.wordpress.com/

Interview on 400a by AAU Alumni Magazine

A while ago I was asked by AAU Alumni magazine to talk about my experience working on projects in 400a.  400a is the class run by the amazing Catherine Tate that connects students with inde film makers and gives students the opportunity to work with real directors on a real film with imdb credit.  

With out this class, I would not have been prepared for real work.

400a Alums have gone on to work for ILM, Pixomondo, Digital Domain, Luma, Look Effects, Rhythm & Hues, Dreamworks, Pixar, Tippett, WND & many other big name studios.  This class prepares you for real work and your career.

So happy to have been involved and so happy to have seen 400a get some press after the successful VFX that they completed for Beasts of the Southern Wild, which was an inde film, with no budget, made for the love that went on to become a HUGE hit. 

Great job 400a

Access to the magazine

http://alumni.academyart.edu/assets/pdf/A_JOURNAL_11_FALL_2012.pdf

Packages from #TippettStudio for #MadGod #stopmotion #animation #film by #PhilTippett are GOLDEN! #vfx #visualeffects #kickstarter (Taken with Instagram)

Academy Students Help Bring Alive ‘Beasts of the Southern Wild’

Great article about Room 400a, the class Catherine Tate (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0851112/) has created that gives students the opportunity to work on Independent films.  

Without this class and more importantly, without Catherine, I would not be where I am today

I worked on about 5 during my time at the Academy but recently, something amazing has happened.  One of the movies ‘Beasts of the Southern Wild” has been picked up and is being played everywhere.  Oprah mentioned it, it was a favourite at Sundance… It has been huge.  Sometimes we are lucky and these films made for the love of it get out there into the world.  

It is great having the opportunity to work on films like this.  Labours of love.  It reminds us all why we do this job.

Oh and they interview some fat Australian called Nathan Hackett too.

http://newsfeed.academyart.edu/2012/09/academy-students-help-bring-alive-beasts-of-the-southern-wild/