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Visual effects are about more than just technical expertise, they require strong interpersonal skills, often referred to as “soft skills.”
Why?
Because no large VFX shot is ever completed by a single person. Even the most skilled artist doesn’t have the time or capacity to tackle every aspect of a shot alone.
Successful VFX work is always a collaborative effort, managed across departments, and effective communication can make or break a shot.
This is where soft skills become essential. Learning to work with others, especially people from different cultural backgrounds, is just as important as mastering the technical side of VFX.
Schools provide the opportunity to develop these skills, as students are exposed to diverse perspectives and learn how to navigate the complexities of interpersonal communication.
You might not find this in a textbook, but soft skills, like knowing how to take criticism, understanding cultural sensitivities, and learning how to collaborate are crucial for survival in the industry.
For example, an artist who lacks people skills can come across as arrogant or ignorant, which can be detrimental to teamwork and long-term career growth.
Being mindful of what you say to your colleagues and supervisors, and how you react to feedback, sets you apart as someone who can thrive in a team environment.
Soft skills are not just about getting along with others, they’re a career accelerator.
While you might choose to be a solitary senior artist, if you ever want to move into leadership roles such as a 2D supervisor or team lead, you need these skills.
A good VFX school teaches you how to communicate, how to handle conflict, and how to manage relationships with a diverse team of artists.
In the end, it’s often not just the technical skills that make an artist successful, but how they integrate with a team, navigate challenges, and build relationships that keep them thriving in an industry that’s as much about people as it is about pixels.
P.S. It’s not just what you know, it’s how you work with others that will shape your path in VFX
Catch up on the previous posts here if you missed them!
Part 1 - Accelerated Artistic Development
Part 2 - Accelerated Technical Development
Part 3 - Timely Constructive Feedback
Part 4 - Learning to Deal with Criticism
Part 5 - Understanding the Visual Effects Service Industry
Part 6 - Access to High Quality Assets & Resources
Part 7 - Focus
Part 8 - Accountability
Part 9 - Networking
Part 10 - Industry Connections