Instability of CG Job

#33

It really depends the state/country you live in and the laws that bind. They can make you sign that contract, but it doesn’t mean it is actually binding. In California for example, non compete contracts and anything that prevents someone from looking for work elsewhere is not binding. So even if you do sign a 1-2 year contract, you can actually leave at anytime. The company cannot sue you for leaving, but can sue the employer you are going to work for.

Of course you still have to deal with the ramifications of doing that though. You will probably never be able to get another job at that company again and might get a bad name because many HR managers in the VFX industry know each other and are also freelance and move from company to company. Many companies though, especially large ones can be very flexible about letting people out of their contracts or doing other things like taking a sabbatical or leaving for another company for a project. Pretty much just discuss it with your supervisor, since they are in the same boat you are and understand the ups and downs of this industry.

#34

It is definitely a nomadic, circus lifestyle which I’ve avoided for the most part by working for the art and media departments of large corporations and as a freelancer in my own business. Unless you are within the inner circle of a CG house, or in management you run the risks of project to project instability.

I’ve never lived in L.A., but it seems like there is a lot of work there and you could keep circling around from one place to the next. Seems like most dedicated CG people try and establish a base in L.A. even if they have to blast off to NZ or elsewhere.

You may also consider a life in academia.

As for me, I doubt if I’ll ever work for a big computer animation studio again, unless it’s on my own terms.

Best of luck!

A happy homeowner, and ex-PDI/DW guy
#35

Hi Hank! I remember you! :wink: PM me when you get a chance…

-M

#36

How do partners who both work in this Industry stay together? I mean its hard enough going solo and trying to find a job here there and everywhere. It must be dam hard when you go out with someone in the industry and your both trying to get work in the same city? When working from contract to contract, how can one have a career, some level of security and have kids?

#37

I dont know about you guys but I love travling and one of the reasons I choose to wanna work in this career is because I cant stand having an office job or one that I would bored with. Now with the family if your a new guy like a college grad im not sure if any one would be married and have kids already. As for the family part at one point your going to want to settle but not till you have a good place in the industry. thats my take on it.

#38

never mind

#39

To answer the original question, hell yeah it’s unstable, that is IMO the worst thing about the industry. Full time don’t mean jack, you’ve only got as much stability as your two weeks notice period.

That means you can never plan for anything, cos you never know when the rug might get pulled from under your feet.

And it don’t matter how good you are, if your company goes under cos of some daft managerial blunders then there ain’t nothing you can do about it.

Worse than that though, you could just end up working for some sweatshop games company that will fire your butt soon as they find someone who will do your work cheaper and for longer. Worse still, I think usually the only people in those situations who do last are the management kiss-butts and those who don’t mind long hours for bad pay.

Of course you could be lucky and get a decent job, all depends on the company, but in my experience most are all far too concerned with making money to care about their workers long term.

#40

[QUOTE=Zack Attack] Now with the family if your a new guy like a college grad im not sure if any one would be married and have kids already. As for the family part at one point your going to want to settle but not till you have a good place in the industry. thats my take on it.[/QUOTE

Unfortunately not true :frowning: I will graduate in three years’ time, and be looking for a job with my long-term boyfriend and small daughter in tow. I would never be without them, but I really wish sometimes I’d got the career thing sorted first… on the other hand, they are what motivates me.

I always knew I’d have to move away from where I am now to get a job… but the thought of moving again every six months after that is pretty depressing. I keep hoping I will get lucky :slight_smile:

#41

I agree with all the above posters, plus I would like to add a couple of points:

[ul]
[li]The arts is a FUN field. That’s why people do it. This means you have to work harder to get in and get a good job. YOU HAVE TO PAY YOUR DUES no matter what job you are in. ##[/li][li]My older brother is finishing med school and wants to go into neurosurgery, but he would have to move to Detroit. He doesn’t like Detroit. The same problems exist in so many different careers. Just think of all the office workers who have to move hundreds of miles because one branch of their company closed down and they’re offered work in a different one. A lot of them don’t even enjoy their job all that much. [/li][/ul]

#42

Thing is, if you lose your job in another field, say your an accountant or doctor or nurse or laywer or engineer or something, there are always plenty of other firms/companies in your city because by and large there is a much larger need for such services, you’ll get a job sooner or later.

By contrast CG is a niche field, there is only some much need for pretty 3D graphics for humanity and an overabundance of people looking for work. Unless you’re in a town like LA there aren’t that many CG companies in most cities, some with hardly any. Suddenly, losing your job is a big deal and job stability becomes very imporant. Anyway so before you know it you’re telling your boss you like Michael Bolton too just to keep your job.:stuck_out_tongue:

#43

How then, are you supposed to settle down with a family if your career moves you from place to place?

You don’t. The only reason the CG industry works is because it’s powered by geeks - isolating, socially-inept people with no ties to the world, who can uproot themselves at a moment’s notice for little more than the promise of a few weeks work.

#44

Ouch! That’s not good. I don’t want to be an isolated socially-inept geek for the rest of my life! I’m still trying to overcome that part of me!

#45

Most people in the film/post industry aren’t this way. If you are socially inept in this industry, your not going to be working in it for very long. 95% of the people I know in film/post don’t even know what cgtalk is, let alone talk on any forums.

#46

Now that’s just untrue. About half the people I work with are married and many have kids. I am guessing you’re still a student at school with a bunch of socially inept people who you haven’t yet realised aren’t going to get anywhere in this industry with their inability to communicate with others.

#47

Yeah, during my college time, there was always one or two person who isolated himself, and refuse to talk about ideas and techniques that we (other groups) happily talked about. I guess this attitude is going to be carried over when he works now.

There was an old saying that 3 stupid brain can always beat one genious. Okay maybe it’s exaggerated, however the lesson taken from that saying is usually true.

#48

Please notice: I have not read all of the other posts.

Have you never thought that you might meet your future wife or husband at your workspace?

I personally was, and still am, an isolated “geek” (Mainly because I’ve not really met anyone that respected my sappy dreams or “artists” in general, but thats another thing I think), but personally, I think I’ll meet my husband when (more like if) I finally get a CG-related job. I personally don’t think I’ll never get a family just because of that. You shouldnt either.

#49

Your odds are pretty good considering most CG related jobs are full of blokes :smiley:

#50

I’ve seen some survey results a while back, apparently the internet is number 2 on meeting spouses. Imagine that :D.

(ofcourse it could have been an internet survey, still odd)

#51

You will do fine once you enter the Job Market.

If you go to SIGGRAPH you will see how many men per woman are in the industry, and the ratio favors women…A LOT.

And about meeting people on the internet, well the chances for success will depend, a lot, on what you want.
-R

#52

I just wanted to echo Leigh here, that is completely and utterly untrue. Very few people at the studios i’ve been at and am in are geeks, they can barely turn on their computer, but they know Maya or XSI or whatever. Some of them are geeks and are proud of it, i’m one of them, but i’m not socially inept, that part is pretty much 100% inaccurate, you won’t get into this industry unless you’re sociable, and if you somehow manage to get a job, if you’re a closet case and won’t talk to anyone, you won’t keeping your job for long, this field is all about communication, as almost every professional field is.