Big news from Sony Pictures Imageworks today as they drop the bomb that they’re closing their New Mexico offices. VFXSoldier has the best writeup I’ve seen on the topic, relating it to the ever-growing battle over government subsidies.
The good news for VFX professionals is that there are other Vancouver shops to jump to but this might be bad news for the facilities. Many are moving there to supply US studios with access to huge subsidies while they swallow huge costs to lure the talent there. With Rhythm, Sony, DD, Pixar, ILM, and others trying to hire a relatively smaller talent pool you can expect costs to rise rapidly.
The events of today are undeniable. They play into the narrative that I’ve written about for almost the last 2 years.
VFX Is Moving To Expensive Locations, Not Cheaper Locations
via Casualties Of The VFX Subsidy Trade War: Imageworks Albuquerque « VFX Soldier.
