The aim of this blog is to shed some light into the different sectors that form mustard VIZ, giving my insights into how the sectors are coping with the current situation, and their plan to rebuild in the future. The good news is, there is good news!
Gaming
The Gaming sector is one area that has been largely unaffected by the restrictions imposed. Most studios have been able to seamlessly transition into the remote working process, with staff dialling in remotely to support ongoing projects. Due to the nature of creating a game, much of the work can be done individually – this coupled with higher demand for new titles from people in lockdown, has seen an increase in hires across the sector.
Motion Picture (Film, TV, Advertising)
This is an area of the market that has been affected considerably. As live sets do not comply with social distancing restrictions, nothing can be filmed; so, any current projects have their crews set up already, and new projects are being put on hold. An area that has seen more demand is the animation side, which do not have the need for live footage. My sources have told me that they predict a big influx of work once filming can start again, with bulk freelance hires being taken on to deal with the backlog of work that has been postponed.
Visualisation (Architectural, Interior Design, Product)
This sector has been up and down. There have been many redundancies on the Architectural/Interior Design side, due to the nature of projects being moved to one side – however, I have also noticed many clients looking to bring people on board. Due to the nature of visualisation, the work can be done remotely, so any company looking to make a new bid may require visualisers to put together high-quality artwork to support pitches.
In conclusion to the above, we are far cry from where we once were, but it is not all doom and gloom. There are certainly pockets of movement in every sector, with some clients being busy and others not.
My advice to anybody seeking work out there is to take this time to prepare for the surge in roles. Your portfolio/showreel is the first thing a client will see when considering you for a job, so make it extraordinary and relevant. If you don’t feel that it is a true representation of your best work, then don’t send it out.
James heads up our Visualisation division, mustard VIZ. He and his team cover Motion Picture, Gaming and Visualisation recruitment; supporting large scale studios and boutique agencies worldwide. If you’re in the market for a new role or looking to make a strategic hire, then get in touch with him on [email protected].
