2020 has brought a huge impact to a lot of industries,and visual effects companies(VFX) are no exception.Working from home for companies wasn't an option in 2019-it was believed the sophisticated technology that is the backbone of the industry couldn't be accessed immediately remotely in a effective way-but a few months lately in 2020, the industry was forced into making it as the norm
1. WORKING FROM HOME BECAME THE NEW NORMAL
Modern VFX work demands high end computer systems capable of rendering the artists work and this sophisticated IT is the backbone of the industry .Due to the intense technical requirements of VFX work,it was believed it couldn't be done from home, as accessing the computer system remotely would be too disruptive to artists.However when the situation was forced, working from home proved to be possible and was universally employed when professional confronts were closed during lockdown, ushering in a new era for the industry.
2. ALL OVERSEAS DEAL WAS HALTED
A lot of industries have international clients ,but the UK VFX industry has a particular fine bonding with Hollywood studios,and clients visiting from LA has been a important part of winning contracts for a very long time,especially visiting places like Soho.The time did not permit anyone to travel internationally during the peak of the pandemic,and people will be hesitate about it for a long time,so to survive VFX houses should be able to pitch for contracts remotely.Connected to this: VFX houses are also going to work with directors and other members of the production team without meeting them directly;they will have to figure out news ways of communicating and building relationships without being able to meet around a table.
3. FILMING WAS PUT ON HOLD
Anything that acquires in-person contact was halted during the pandemic and this included filming, auditions and production meetings. The disruption this caused in the film industry will be felt for a long time, especially when insurance companies are not willing to provide protection owing to the pandemic related loses in future.
From now on production companies will be prioritising both the safety of production and post production facilities, as well as their ability to work on full swing even when there is a pandemic related lockdown.Without the protection policy provided by the insurance companies,studios will only work with VFX companies that can assure that the deadlines will be met no matter what.
4. Synchronous reviews in-person are no longer possible
The director reviewing and requesting amends on a piece of work is essential in delivering the final product that they are contented with.Usually this requires a sit down session in-person for the director to review and provide real time feedback. This close contact meet-ups are not possible anymore that applies to the international clients an alternative methods should be invoked to act as a problem solver for the crisis as such.
Asynchronous feedback can be delivered through tools like frame.io,allowing VFX companies to get feedback without reviewing the work alongside the director.Or remote synchronous reviews can be achieved,but they require sophisticated hardware and a decent internet connection.