Building a studio ecosystem to tackle the VFX talent gap

We’re entering a completely new era of growth in the VFX industry, and finding talented artists is one of the biggest challenges we face. The rise of OTT platforms like Netflix and Disney+ means that there’s more demand than ever before for cinematic TV shows, many of which rely heavily on visual effects. What’s more, this shift towards high-quality episodic shows means that the number of shots for a single production is considerably higher than it would be for a feature film. 

The changing face of the industry means that we’re having to level up to tackle the VFX talent crisis. At FutureWorks, expanding from the traditional hubs and bringing work to where the talent resides is a key part of our strategy. We’re building an ecosystem of studios, having recently opened a new state-of-the-art facility in Hyderabad.

The growing demand for increasingly sophisticated VFX, coupled with the rise of virtual production, means that it’s vital to have a robust infrastructure in place to support our workforce. For example, new pipelines are needed to cope with the rapid growth in content. 

Along with ensuring that pipelines are continually adapted to fit in with ever-changing work demands, visual effects companies must also grapple with the challenge of finding and retaining the best VFX professionals. 

Tapping into local talent pools

At FutureWorks, we go where the talent is. As a fast-growing end-to-end film studio, we’ve worked on a wide range of productions including The Peripheral, Darlings, and Westworld, so we’re always on the lookout for both entry-level and experienced artists to bring these projects to life.

That’s why we’re extending our reach and opening up in more cities. Along with our locations in Mumbai and Chennai, our new Hyderabad location is equipped to handle 24/7 operations. This brings more flexibility to our teams’ work schedules, ensuring that they can collaborate seamlessly across time zones, working on projects spanning both the Indian and international film and TV market.

As our second location fully dedicated to VFX services, the new facility can host up to 100 artists, helping us to meet the increasing demand for our services. We first opened the Hyderabad location with a small team connecting remotely during the pandemic. This team played a crucial role in the growth of our VFX offering, directly leading to the expansion. 

Building a seamlessly integrated network of studios is essential for supporting the ever-growing workforce in the place that suits them best. We chose Hyderabad because of its rapidly expanding film scene and vibrant artist community. Opening a new facility in a lively creative hub means that our artists can stay connected to our ecosystem, without having to relocate. 

Supporting work-life balance

We’ve seen a dramatic shift over the last couple of years in what people expect in terms of work-life balance. By opening new locations outside of the traditional VFX hubs, companies like ours can really tap into the competitive VFX artist market that’s out there. In the coming months, we plan to continue expanding our network with the addition of several new locations across India. 

But providing physical workspace in the right place is only one part of the puzzle. It’s also essential to ensure that the opportunities and support offered across different locations are aligned. Operating under the same umbrella of policies as our other locations, our new Hyderabad office offers equal access to training and software, providing a fully supportive environment for our team, rather than just acting as a satellite office to the HQ. 

Nurturing a collaborative environment where artists can thrive is essential for any forward-thinking VFX or postproduction house. And expanding that supportive environment to new locations is the only way to attract and retain the best VFX talent in the business.