60 minutes ran a feature recently on” Millennials”, those lost souls that have had the seeming misfortune of being born in the years between 1980 and 1995. Morely was pretty tough on these iPod toting whippersnappers. Maybe he was mad about being named Morely because the story claimed that amongst other things, Millennials don’t know that underwear is meant to be worn under your clothes and that things called “knives” and “forks” can be used instead of shoveling food into your messy gob with your unwashed bare hands. However slanted the folks with the ticking stopwatch may be, this group of perpetual teenagers have flocked to our fledgling VFX industry. So, I have composed this open letter to the Millennials to give them a leg up if they choose to enter the industry that we all hold so near and dear.
Dear Millenials, Sorry to see that 60 Minutes took a elephantine sized dump on your entire generation. That being said, please hear my few nuggets of wisdom, for I too was once the youngest guy in the room. Now I’m ancient at 37 and a proud member of the club that you say can’t be trusted. I’m sorry to say that you too will inevitably make the transition from young hot-shot to pathetic has-been. If you want to make this journey an easier one, listen up.
- You Don’t Deserve Your Job- Just because your parents ponied up the green to send you to VFX school doesn’t mean you automatically gain admission to a job at a studio. For all it’s faults, this a merit based business. If you don’t have the drive and talent, you won’t get too far. And no, bringing your mom to your job interview will not help.
- Find Old People- Believe it or not, some of us in our golden years have knowledge that we can pass onto you. There are even Jedi masters older than I who hold the keys to a veritable Pandora’s box of effects know-how. Seriously, you don’t know everything, in fact quite the opposite. Find someone whose been around the block a few times and annoy them until they give up the goods.
- Give a Crap- This is an easy one. You need to care about the work you do. Supes are looking for artists who put an extra something special into their shots without being asked. The powers that be at a VFX house are always on the prowl for people who have something to contribute rather than those who do only the minimum needed to complete the job.
- It’s Not Show- Fun- VFX houses are a businesses that need to make a profit to stay in business. And it’s a tough business at that. The list of companies that have bit the dust over the years is long and written in the blood of young artists. Make sure you have a good work ethic and don’t expect ice cream sundaes and balloon animals at your desk every Friday.
- No Flipflops- Now this is is just plain common sense. Foot thongs are for the gym or the beach and that’s it! And besides, when I see your gnarly toenails sticking out from underneath a bathroom stall, I can’t help thinking that Morely Safer is right and you truly do have no standards. Don’t be a stereotype, leave the shower shoes at home.
Sincerly, VFXHack
LINK to 37 Signals take on the Millennials piece
Special thanks to the 3dPro guys for starting the conversation and to Bill S. for the image
hehe. I didn’t see that report myself, but as a 22 year old working in the industry (even if at the very low end,) you can sure bet I heard all about it from a great number of people I work with. For about a week after it aired, it seemed like I was expected to prove all over again that I wasn’t a lazy, self-important waste of air. The whole thing was sort of funny, actually. When I tell people what I do, the “you must be lazy and expect that you don’t have to work for a living” comment has now replaced the”you make movies? you should be on that show ‘on the lot’ ” comment, which is a welcomed change at least for a little while.
Love the blog, -Colin
No flip-flops even for gals with cute, painted toenails? They do exist in the FX world – somewhat rare, but they are out there.
Good point Dayna! Open toes are OK for the vfx-ladies and also dudes who go to the trouble to have regular pedicures.