Realistic income as a freelancer

Hi!

I’m a UX designer, formerly an industrial designer and 3D modeler, and I’ve recently been looking into the VFX industry.

While chatting with ChatGPT, it kept repeating again and again that a daily rate above **€1,000/day** is *standard* for freelancers in Paris. That really surprised me. My understanding was that VFX is actually a tough industry: few jobs, lots of competition, and often tight budgets.

At the same time, I don’t fully trust ChatGPT here and I’m pretty sure it might be hallucinating or overselling the market.

So I wanted to ask people who actually work in the industry:

* Is there really good money in VFX freelancing, or is that the exception rather than the rule?
* Are €1,000+/day rates realistic, and if so, for which roles?
* Is it relatively easy to land well-paid freelance work if you have the right skills, or is it still very competitive and unstable?

I’m especially interested in perspectives from freelancers working in Europe (Paris in particular), but any insight is welcome.

Thanks!

https://preview.redd.it/bl31behzj58g1.png?width=981&format=png&auto=webp&s=0075d812863f0af14785ba7a61753636ef5ed170



https://redd.it/1pqjp5w
@vfxbackup

personal vfx artist looking for music producer

i need a y2k/glitch etc style vfx artist who can make motion graphics, covers, etc for free in exchange for me producing whatever whenever 4 you and using my music, audios etc copyright free (I make hyperpop/dariacore/edm trap)

https://redd.it/1pqoupa
@vfxbackup

How was this effect achieved?

I'm a filmmaker just starting out trying to learn VFX, so any advice on where to start would be so so so appreciated.

I absolutely love this spot, the snippet is from SONY - POWER OF SOUND directed by Bleu Désert. How was this effect achieved? An overlay for the VHS look seems simple enough, but specifically how did they do that smear effect at 6s? especially with the camera moving but the subject staying still.

Is this something I could learn to replicate? I have After Effects and am in the process of learning but I don't know too much yet, just keep seeing stuff I want to try to replicate. I'd appreciate any guidance!!

https://reddit.com/link/1pqnwl4/video/wvd30p3ei68g1/player



https://redd.it/1pqnwl4
@vfxbackup

A few stills from my animated short film SEN
https://www.reddit.com/gallery/1pqtywe

https://redd.it/1pqtzb7
@vfxbackup

Ken Carson VFX name?

https://preview.redd.it/zlf3hzr3r88g1.png?width=794&format=png&auto=webp&s=aa987a26088196737fe1e9983a1016c917a4dbcb

anyone know the name of this effect?

https://redd.it/1pqyzcr
@vfxbackup

Questions about Subsidies

Hello VFX! I have a question about subsidies. If I am working in a place or a country with huge VFX subsidies, do vendors receive those subsidies? Can I adjust my rates for a vendor based on those subsidies, knowing they'll get a 45% tax rebate on my rate? I have no idea how this works. Thank you!

https://redd.it/1pr5pof
@vfxbackup

Compositing Showreel 2025 – Open to Brutal Honesty!
https://vimeo.com/846443898

https://redd.it/1pr8brf
@vfxbackup

I had a lot of respect for VFX artists, after watching the new Avatar, my respect increased even more...

As a failed VFX artist, I want to say that you guys are geniuses. These past years (after the release of Avatar The Way of Water) at random moments I thought to myself: "probably there are a lot of guys right now working really hard for the VFX of the next avatar". Many times I wondered during the movie how the hell can it look so good, specially the lighting. Cant believe all of that was shoot in a studio. The damn water looked pure, the fire, the particles, how everything interacted in a realistic way between each other, the creatures. I could spend all day naming things. The thing that blew my mind the most is a scene in which Neytiri tries to clean the paint from her face near a small river, it was absolutely brilliant. Congratulations to anyone who worked on the movie...

https://redd.it/1praicm
@vfxbackup

Please James Cameron

No more blue alien people movies.

Move on, make other films. New stories.

Avatar 3 is pretty much an extended version of Avatar 2. At times really bored of seeing the same.



https://redd.it/1prfzd8
@vfxbackup

Loving VFX, Fearing the Industry

Hey everyone,

I’m a junior compositing artist and I’ve been seriously considering reorienting my career away from VFX, mainly toward data-related fields. I’m back in France after two unsuccessful years in Montreal, and I’m planning to take a basic survival job just to stay afloat.

While learning data analysis and exploring other options, something became very clear to me: I’ve never been happier than when I was working as a junior compositor in a small Paris-based studio. No other job has come close to that level of fulfillment.

That said, the instability of the industry worries me a lot. Short-term contracts, precarious studio situations, low pay, lack of consideration for artists — all of that is honestly scary, especially since I’m a pretty anxious person by nature.

At the same time, data (like pretty much every white-collar field right now) also seems to be crashing, with fewer job postings and tighter hiring.

If you were in my position — 25 years old — would you double down on trying to get hired as a junior VFX compositor, or would you commit to a different path that offers more stability but far less personal fulfillment?

The problem is simple: I can’t picture my life without doing VFX or at least something closely related to movies. I love it too much.

Thanks for taking the time to read.
Have a good day,

Hugo
Portfolio: https://vimeo.com/user21148572

https://redd.it/1prm2sy
@vfxbackup

BOOM! I recreated this destruction scene from Knowing in Houdini

https://redd.it/1prvg6o
@vfxbackup

I went to a party that had VFX artists and 2/3rds of them were still out of work or had just been let go

Honestly, it’s been 2 years and I think the writing is on the wall.

Is anyone else close to just dropping it and pivoting to something else?

https://redd.it/1pruhom
@vfxbackup

Where do u guys keep your notes

Look dev & shading person here. How do you guys keep your notes about knowledge of your specialization? Do u keep a google docs? Do u handwrite them down?

https://redd.it/1prx72s
@vfxbackup

I'm getting real tired of software subnoscriptions.

I'm not completely against subnoscriptions, particularly when it's an online service where you're using a company's own computing resources, or if it's a software platform that's continuously evolving and adding value. However, a good portion of software, particularly plugins, really doesn't warrant being subnoscription only and absolutely should have an option for a perpetual license. It's wildly anti-consumer.

There's a real issue with consumer rights when it comes to digital goods and ownership. How does it make sense that I pay hundreds or thousands of dollars over the course of a few years for a locally run piece of software, using my own computing resources, that doesn't add any new features, and if I cancel I lose all access? This is part of a broader "you will own nothing" problem with digital goods. When you "buy" something digitally, you're often just licensing it, and those terms can change at any time. Companies can raise prices, remove features, or shut down entirely, and you're left with nothing.

There's also something to be said about how this model functions as planned obsolescence by contract. With perpetual licenses, a company has to actually build something good enough that you'd want to upgrade. With subnoscriptions, they just have to make sure you can't work without them. There's less incentive to innovate and more incentive to create dependency.

Sure, companies will just eat the cost, but for individual creators it's just not realistic to have a dozen subnoscriptions that will eventually exceed the cost of a perpetual license. It also doesn't always make sense to just subscribe and cancel as needed. What if I just need that plugin for one shot? I have to pay that $50 monthly fee every time I have a random shot that needs a particular plugin?

I've gotten to the point that unless a piece of software has something I can't live without and can't get anywhere else, I'll instantly pass on anything that requires a monthly or yearly subnoscription with no option for a perpetual license. I'm just sick of it.

There's been increasing talk about a "right to own" for digital goods, and I really hope something comes of it.

https://redd.it/1ps4i70
@vfxbackup

Junior 3D/Virtual Production – feeling lost, need guidance

Hi everyone, I could really use some advice and support regarding my future.
Sorry if this post feels a bit messy – it’s exactly how my head feels right now, and I need to get it out. Thanks for your patience.

A bit about me:
I’m 34 and currently in my third year studying Immersive Media Production in Ireland. I’m a career switcher — before this, I worked in journalism for over 10 years, but I’ve had to change both my country and my career path.

I’ve always dreamed of working with video games, but during my studies I’ve found myself more drawn to Virtual Production. Over the past few years, I’ve explored everything and, honestly, ended up learning bits of everything but nothing fully. I love it all – I’ve done modeling, environment creation, texturing in both Substance Painter and Designer. I quickly realized that Houdini and character sculpting aren’t for me… at least, not right now.

Currently, I’m tackling Emiel Sleegers’ course Creating Destroyed Assets for Games, which is tough.

Back to my question: I constantly hear that junior 3D jobs are rare, competition is fierce, AI is taking over, etc., and it’s starting to drain my motivation and energy to keep going (sorry, I know how that sounds).

My ideal job (at least as I see it now) would be creating virtual worlds for films, commercials, or games — essentially, working as an environment artist in Unreal Engine. But I don’t know the next step. According to my plan, I should be working within 6–10 months, and right now, it feels almost impossible.

I have strong soft skills and a decent foundation in these areas, but I honestly have no idea where to focus next.

Thanks so much for reading this far. Please feel free to be honest — I want to hear all your thoughts, opinions, and advice.

Thanks again.

https://redd.it/1ps5vol
@vfxbackup

Film schools in london

Has anyone ever studied or worked at a film school in london and what was your experience? I got an email as I wanted to start teaching vfx and someone from a film school reached out on weekend, they responded in the evening and asked to meet for a coffee on Monday. Should I trust it if they emailed during the weekend? Id like to get others options. Iv been on vfx for 10 plus years. I did sent emails out to ask if they would be hiring or needing teachers.

https://redd.it/1ps665q
@vfxbackup

Nuke(Foundry) / ComfyUi

Quick heads-up: This is a question about AI/Nuke integration.

(not an expert)

I’m a former compositor currently studying architecture.

ve been experimenting with ComfyUI recently, using rough 3D blocking to quickly generate render variations

Since ComfyUI is essentially a node graph for AI, I cant shake the feeling that this workflow could work exactly the same way inside Nuke.

Is there a way to do this natively yet?

Im wondering if we can use Stable Diffusion/Generative models directly in the Nuke graph, or if we are currently limited to the specific ML tasks offered by tools like CopyCat?

Has anyone successfully bridged these two workflows?

cheers

https://redd.it/1ps9igi
@vfxbackup

Which VFX skills should I learn for narrative indie drama movies?

I edit, color, and mix my own projects in Davinci Resolve, and I’d like to explore the Fusion page for ways it could benefit me.

What are the most common effects used on straightforward modern day dramas and comedies that I could learn to do?

https://redd.it/1ps9b1u
@vfxbackup

Why I don't like 3D Cinema/ HFR

So first of all Avatar 3 looks amazing as usually. Congrats to everybody who worked on the movie.

However unfortunately I can't help but think it would look so much better just seeing it in 2D and the standard 24fps.

The 3D was maybe cool to see in the first one but then it felt just gimmicky.

Also few more negative aspects about 3D and HFR:

- It darkens the image and makes the beautiful renders much more dull

- Combined with the HFR it makes it look like miniature and not the epic character and world that it is.

- the HFR also takes away from the cinematic feel and makes it look like a sports event footage or video game.

- Sometimes it gets blurry and frame ghosting and you miss out on so much information of the footage.

If you have the chance to see it in 2D do it.

Unfortunately I think Jimmy Cameron is really fan of 3D & HFR and if there's another Avatar movie it will be done like that again.

https://redd.it/1psgfqd
@vfxbackup

How can I make these "drawn" effects as shown in this NPR video?

I really like the "drawn" effects done in this NPR video (the effects with yellow lines) and I was wondering how to do these effects (if they're hand drawn or have some technique to do them). I use DaVinci Resolve as my editor but if you have another editor you recommend using I could get it some other way

https://redd.it/1pshs69
@vfxbackup

AE generalist Hourly rate?

Been in after effects for 20 something years. Never felt the need to move to any other software like nuke. Worked on a handful of mid tier movies. Been working on more streaming shows the last few years. Getting ready to start a new season of a pretty big show. With all the inflation post pandemic my rate is looking a little thin these days. What would you say is a good avg weight for someone with my experience doing these kinds of projects? (I charge $100hr for my commercial clients but less for long term film/tv work)

https://redd.it/1psg63h
@vfxbackup