Self Taught VFX Artists... Listen Up.

Are you a self-taught VFX artist looking to break into the industry? Or maybe you're a CGI hobbyist who's mastered Blender or After Effects and now wondering 'what's next?' Then this video is for you!
I share my journey from being a self-taught VFX artist learning on KZbin to becoming a professional in the industry. I'll provide insights into launching your career to get your first job in the industry and how to overcome the challenges faced by independent learners.
You'll find tips on showcasing your skills, networking with professionals, understanding industry expectations, and more! Whether you're a Blender enthusiast, an After Effects wizard, or a VFX hobbyist in your first year of professional work, I hope this video can help you take the next step in your career.
Remember, the 'first step' to becoming a pro is often the hardest.
#VFX, #SelfTaught, #CGI, #Blender, #AfterEffects, #VFXIndustry, #CGIHobbyists, #VisualEffects, #3DModeling, #Animation, #DigitalArt #vfxbreakdown
Make sure to like, share, and subscribe for more insights and tutorials to support your journey in the VFX industry. You got this! 🚀

[@Ben-rz9cf]

I am one of those that actually went to art school and i can say, it kinda pissed me off to find out that most of what i learned could be achieved much cheaper or even free online. We LIBERALLY used a gnomon subscription to teach us what our teachers couldn't. One of the things you don't get when self taught is a roadmap, you don't know what you don't know, and a lot of self taughts get stuck at the stage of making the blender donut and consider shit like ambient occlusion "advanced techniques" just because it seems complicated, when you're just dipping your toe you don't know where the bottom is. And too many get stuck in the mindset of following recipes versus learning the THEORY. If you don't know how to solve a situation the tutorial hasn't covered you won't be hired, but if you truly know the tools and the theory, and can apply problem solving skills to any problem that can be thrown at you, thats the kind of job skills that will get you hired. I haven't even updated my reel in years because i continually deal with people who already know what i can do and often just give a sample that applies to their specific situation. I can crank out a pretty shot in a couple days that is "reel worthy" or spend months on something that is very technically difficult yet looks crap on a reel. I know at the end of the day, recruiters in the VFX industry are idiots that are wowed by pretty colors, while the supervisors just want to know you can talk shop and can feel you out whether you know what you're doing from just a conversation. But if you manage to score that VFX job and immediately they throw a situation at you you HAVEN'T been in, guaranteed you're going to underestimate the amount of time and work it is going to take, overpromise and underdeliver, because thats what overconfident beginners do. Be humble and admit what you don't know.

[@waztec3508]

Getting a roadmap is my number one problem, and I’m just stuck before even starting. I buy a course about concept art (to learn the art basics) and a matte paint bootcamp to learn one "simple" skill to get a job as a trainee and earn some money to buy more courses and food. But after that? I am freaking lost. PD: As you can see my English its also a problem, but at least I know where I can take some classes 🤣🤣

[@jenkathefridge3933]

​@@waztec3508my advice is litteraly just look at reference image and try to recreate it, watch abit of tutorials but no to much.

[@messiboy3358]

May I ask what gnomon your talking about as in is there a subscription for the school, or is it the Gnomon workshop, and is it still a viable tool?

[@coltonmonroe9824]

Goated

[@thronosstudios]

Connections, connections, connections. Go to expos and well... expose yourself to the players in the field

[@silverbackstudios1727]

I got inspired to do vfx 10 years ago when I saw Andrew Kramer's tutorials. At the time, my laptop couldn't handle the 3D rendering. I gave up on vfx and decided on learning film & motion graphics. But the fire for vfx is still alive. Thanks for sharing your experience!

[@hugboat808]

I just got back into VFX after 10 years of being an on set Assistant Director. It was grueling and I decided to turn back to something I always loved growing up. I always was creating. Stop motion, hand animation, computer generated animation and VFX. Tech has changed so much since I was creating and I am really loving KZbin and the way it’s changed the education landscape. Thanks for this video, I needed to see this as I embark on my own new journey.

[@ekgz0]

Hi iam also working as an assistant cinematographer and half minded to return to cg and vfx because thats where i think i can create more.But iam afraid that will i be able to cope up with the new tech and stuff. How is you journey now ,did you succed in blending in?

[@locinolacolino1302]

@@ekgz0 The line is starting to be blurred with things like volumetric capture and live compositing. It's now possible to have the director view the environments on set in realtime using software like Unreal Engine, definitely an avenue worth exploring.

[@lurivaljones]

That's awesome Josh! Most of your experience, I can compare with my journey too. It's good to see that I'm not the only person in the same situation, and I'm always learning. Congrats man!

[@CompositingAcademy]

Great advice for people trying to break in! Thanks for the shoutout

[@CONCEPTSJRS]

This is too cool man. Been teaching myself for the last 3 years. It does give me some hope! thanks man.

[@dibellagiodigital9680]

Sometimes videos and messages likes this, comes in the right moment. Thank you Josh!

[@ErikUnGeneric]

Great vibes man, thank you for the injection of your positive energy

[@BillGarrett]

I told a friend of mine about Blender. He was like "so..is it a subscription, or do you pay up front...?" He was blown away that it was actually literally free and could do everything I was telling him about. There's other tools that are cheap to free and can teach the skills, and even cheap consumer phones come with cameras that can capture high-resolution footage. This is an amazing time to learn on your own.

[@patrikbaboumian]

Very good advice! Congrats on the gig and your journey!

[@user-pp5fd6fm5e]

Hi Josh! It'd be great to see from you "real world" lighting vfx workflow breakdown, as an example for beginner 3d lighting artists, like, what to expect/be prepared for, working within studio. It might be very helpful! Anyway, see you

[@rithhouroudom]

Nice Cinematic video Tuto 😅 Love your videos.

[@maximumblackness]

This was an Awesome video!! Thanks a million!!

[@hohinho452]

This video is exhilarating! Thanks Josh!

[@ShinChan_GS]

Thanks for this video...I am also a self learner.... This video boosts me..

[@multiversetoyfights5205]

Awesome ,Thank you Four your advices

[@TheBoofhead]

love your message, liked subbed and commented as a small thank you

[@Its_Picco]

i really like the way you explain things. and i learned a lot and really want to work with you on projects.

[@IliaCinema]

Good luck, friend!

[@mycloudvip]

Very inspiring kudos 🎉

[@GroundUpProduct00]

You’re awesome bro thank you

[@maximumblackness]

Subscribed

[@gambitemmanuel6925]

Have great desire to learn, wish you could put me through on 3d and VFX tutorial

[@bUildYT]

What would u say i should learn next at my skill lvl? I'll get an amazing PC soon and have around a year of time, so id be willing to put 2000+ hours in learning it, but its kina hard to always know whats the smartest thing to do next, i kina mastered blender now and i guess next ill teckle UE or houdini hmmm

[@EnricoCiacchi]

YOU ROCK

[@surfexcelll]

Thanks

[@PracticalMedia]

Cool stuff. I'm working as an editor more in the marketing and commercial space. I wanna transition into film but all my buddies working in that field say that works slowed down so much because of the writers strike :(

[@BlenderUnreal]

wow, at least you have buddies in that field. can you tell me how you met them?

[@PracticalMedia]

@@BlenderUnreal most of the time just by reaching out to people through Instagram, tiktok, KZbin, etc. helps to have your portfolio displayed on all your social media

[@cgspade]

Honestly i get your advice but the hard part is sometimes there are people who are talented but unfortunately work in a country where they are not paid enough for the work they do, which makes us think we should go to other countries for studies with student loans just so we can get a working visa and have a better life

[@ericksierraaa]

Thanks man ! I’m your younger self lmaoo

[@lionheart-182]

Hi Josh I'm on my journey to become a VFX artist and your advice is really helpful, I have a question is it ok to use stock footage to make a reel? or should I try to shoot my own scenes

[@hugboat808]

Shoot your own stuff. I asked a VFX supervisor I know this exact question recently. Part of the job is shooting or at least understanding shooting the footage in a way that you can match in your digital environment. (Real world camera height, focal distance etc) I’m working on camera tracking right now and being able to just grab my phone and shoot different shots to test different techniques has been very educational for me personally

[@lionheart-182]

@@hugboat808 thank you for the advice :))

[@JoshToonen]

You should definitely use stock footage! Just transform it in some way

[@lionheart-182]

​@@JoshToonen thank you!

[@JuJu-he8ck]

so this most important thing is up your skillset. become really good. then you'll be hired.

[@isaacait.6679]

Hi. My problem is roadmap. I want to be a compositor but what is the roadmap? What should i know?

[@JoshToonen]

Your first major milestone should be creating a Junior Compositing reel. Create a reel showing you can key difficult greenscreen flawlessly, do paint and roto work flawlessly, and integrate CG and DMPs into a live action plate flawlessly. It’s super competitive, but if people watch through your reel and ask, “what did you even do in this shot?” you’ve got a hirable reel because most juniors work looks obvious and amateur (if I’m being brutally honest) If you’re looking for more specifics, check out my buddy Alex’s channe compositing academy!

[@arnabdas9323]

How to achieve photo realism in unreal engine

[@dubtube6691]

I don't wanna work in that Industry, never ever

[@JasonAdank]

the vfx industry is grueling sweatpit. Its exciting for young people, but it doesnt take long to be run into the ground, paid like shit, no steady job, no medical benefits, and borderline living out of a suitcase because its gig work.

[@leifdux7277]

why?

[@leifdux7277]

@@JasonAdank really? that sounds like exclusively for gig jobs...full-time employment may be the next best thing!

[@calebrobinson3142]

How much do you make from this though?

[@AlxCVFX]

Varies greatly depending on the project and budget, early Jr artists can see anywhere from 20 to 40 USD per hour. Also, the type of work you do matters a lot. Compositors are paid differently from animators… and so on.

[@flaxx8460]

Hey I need connection, any body up?

[@ryanaslam318]

Hey Josh! Hope you're doing great, I've been trying my best to find potential clients on Upwork and Fiverr, got few replies from clients but didn't find one to work with. Can you tell me other ways how can I find clients like on Twitter or Instagram or elsewhere? I'm more focused in compositing and stuff all inside of after effects. Your tips would highly be appreciated, Warm regards, Ryan

[@JoshToonen]

Find ads and commercial work. On IG most commercial directors will tag the entire crew including post houses and colorists. If you’re confident in your work, imo your goal should be reaching out to 40+ people a day for weeks if you’re aiming for full-time freelance work

[@ryanaslam318]

@@JoshToonen Sure thing!