Golden Era Of Visual Effects Industry

By Author: Mathew Thomas
Total Articles: 1
Comment this article

Golden Era of Visual Effects industry

Nothing beats the theatrical experience of immersing yourself in a grand visual treat especially in 3D. Probably after going through such an experience, it is likely that one will find it absurd to cope with the real boring world, at least for a few minutes.
Who wouldn’t want to go through an experience like that? which is exactly why, regardless of coarse economic upheavals, the visual effects sector will never go out of style or out of business.
The need for visual effects and animation has increased dramatically over the years and will continue to do so in the future. Visual effects (VFX) and the 3D industry are two of India's fastest-growing industries. These two sectors have become increasingly vital for developing interesting content as digital media has grown in popularity.
Both the federal and state governments have recently boosted the 3D animation, visual effects, gaming, and comics (AVGC) business, which was named a Champion Sector in 2018. Recognizing the sector's revenue generation and job creation potential, the central government established an ...
... AVGC promotion task force to push policies, grow exports, and attract FDI.

Golden Age of Visual Effects Industry

Just like the Elizabethan age is said to be the golden era of literature, this current era is considered the golden age of VFX and 3D industry. Apparently, the below listed are the top reasons for this flourishment.

1. Handful opportunities: The OTT, television, and AGV divisions are driving industry expansion, and it is also helping to strengthen technology in this digital era.
2. Rapid market growth: The number of young people interested in using 4G, 5G, and other portable gadgets has increased dramatically. Visual effects (VFX) are being used more frequently in cinema and animation. India is one of the top options for a service provider country in the animation industry.
3. Government support: The Indian government has been taking steps to promote the media and entertainment industry, including VFX. Initiatives such as the "Make in India" campaign and the establishment of dedicated VFX and animation zones have encouraged investment and growth in the sector.

4. Growth in Investments: Investment in the animation and visual effects industries has increased. Domestic income is estimated to reach 40% in 2021, with international initiatives accounting for around 60%.
5. Increased Employment and Freelance Opportunities: The VFX business alone has provided an incredible quantity of employment. With the explosion of general expansion in the business, the plethora of job prospects grew with time. Furthermore, the availability of freelance alternatives allows for further VFX job opportunities.
6. Cost advantage: India has been a preferred outsourcing destination for VFX work due to cost advantages. Indian VFX studios can deliver high-quality work at competitive prices compared to their counterparts in developed countries. This cost advantage could continue to attract international projects and collaborations.
7. Skilled workforce: India has a large pool of talented artists and technicians with expertise in VFX. Many educational institutions have started offering specialized courses in VFX and animation, contributing to a skilled workforce. This talent pool is likely to expand and produce more professionals, further strengthening the VFX industry.

Association with Hollywood

Over the last decade, the Indian VFX post-production business has been increasingly important in the worldwide post-production segment. Indian visual effects businesses have worked on several high-profile Hollywood films, creating cutting-edge visual effects that have contributed to some of modern cinema's most iconic scenes. When compared to their rivals in the West, Indian VFX businesses provide high-quality visual effects at a low cost. This makes Indian enterprises appealing to Hollywood studios, allowing them to keep production costs under control.

Indian VFX post-production companies have also brought to Hollywood a distinct perspective and methodology.

Indian culture and mythology have long served as a source of inspiration for filmmakers worldwide, and Indian visual effects companies have been able to rely on this rich legacy to create spectacular visual effects that are unlike anything else in Hollywood.

Avatar, The Dark Knight Rises, The Avengers, Guardians of the Galaxy, Life of Pi, Transformers: Age of Extinction, Interstellar, Jurassic World, Doctor Strange, etc are among the notable Hollywood films that have sought contributions from Indian VFX post-production companies.

Introduction to OTT

The rise of Over-the-Top (OTT) platforms has had a significant impact on the VFX industry worldwide, including in India. OTT platforms unveiled a brand new platform for content creators over the years which naturally increased the demand for high-quality visual effects for movies and top-quality series’. Here's how VFX is shaping up in the context of OTT platforms:
1. Increased content production: OTT platforms have revolutionized the way content is consumed, leading to a huge surge in content production. With an umpteen amount of shows, series, and movies being created for OTT platforms, there is a greater need for VFX to enhance the visual appeal of these productions.
2. Immersive storytelling: OTT platforms have pushed the boundaries of storytelling, enabling creators to explore more visually stunning and imaginative narratives. VFX plays a crucial role in bringing these narratives to life, allowing for the creation of fantastical worlds, larger-than-life characters, and awe-inspiring visual sequences.
3. Cost-effective production: While big-budget movies have traditionally been the mainstay of VFX, OTT platforms have opened up opportunities for smaller-scale productions to incorporate high-quality visual effects. The cost-effectiveness of VFX tools and techniques, coupled with the growing demand for visually engaging content, makes it feasible for OTT platforms to invest in VFX even with lower budgets.
4. Diverse genres and formats: OTT platforms cater to a wide range of audiences and offer diverse genres and formats, including fantasy, sci-fi, horror, and superhero content. These genres often require extensive use of VFX to create the desired visual experiences, making OTT platforms an ideal platform for VFX artists to showcase their skills and creativity.
5. Global collaborations: OTT platforms have facilitated collaborations between international production houses and Indian VFX studios and this cross-border collaboration liberally allows for the exchange of ideas, resources, and expertise, resulting in the creation of high-quality VFX-driven content for OTT platforms.
6. Flexibility and experimentation: OTT platforms offer more flexibility and freedom to content creators by allowing them to take creative risks and experiment with storytelling techniques. VFX enables these creators to bring their imaginative ideas to reality, offering unique and mesmerising experiences for the audience.

A Promising Future

VFX in various industries such as film, television, advertising, gaming, and virtual reality has been steadily rising. As the Indian entertainment industry continues to grow and produce more content, the need for high-quality VFX is likely to increase even more.
The VFX industry is heavily dependent on advancements in technology. As technology continues to evolve, it opens up new possibilities for creating more realistic and immersive visual effects. Indian VFX studios and professionals are expected to embrace and leverage these advancements, keeping them at the forefront of the industry.
Indian VFX studios have been actively collaborating with international production houses and working on co-productions. These collaborations provide exposure to global standards and foster knowledge exchange. As such partnerships continue to grow, the Indian VFX industry can benefit from increased international recognition and opportunities.

While the future of any industry is subject to various factors and uncertainties, the aforementioned points suggest a positive affirmation outlook for the VFX industry in India.