Jeffrey A. Okun, Chair of the Visual Effects Society joins us to discuss the mission of the VES, the difference between unions and societies, health care for members, how to become a member and much more.
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Thi is one of my favorite FXGuide podcasts. Jeffrey Okun does a fine job of explaining what the VES does and where they are going. It was very informative and gave me even more resolve to become a VES member someday.
Jeffrey Okun talks briefly about putting together a salary survey and the cost involved. But I have to ask why? VFXWages.com provides salary information and it’s updated as members update their profiles. It is currently a free service and available to anyone who works in the visual effects industry. One of my strongest arguments for the VES using this available resource is FOR vfx artists and that at least one of its creators is a VES MEMBER. VFX Wages has even been previously featured on the site…I wonder why it wasn’t mentioned in the interview? http://www.fxguide.com/qt/1012
I understand the differences between a survey and the information provided by VFXWages but I would find it really upsetting if I was a member and found out that this resource wasn’t used, especially since Aruna is a VES member.
The VES should look to it’s members for assistance in matters such as Salary information and industry understanding. Wasn’t that one of the stronger points that Jeffrey Okun made?
Regardless of this small problem. I really look forward to being a VES member someday.
From the outside looking in,
Matt
Sorry. I was editing my comment and meant to say
One of my strongest arguments for the VES using this available resource, is that it is FOR vfx artists and that at least one of its creators is a VES MEMBER.
When he mentioned the salary survey I made a mental note to ask him if he knew of vfxwages.com but unfortunately I did not get back to that.
From an fxguide perspective I guess we have had similar thoughts over the years… why don’t they come to us as we do so much to try and help the VFX community? What I learned from doing this interview is that the VES is a very small operation with many ideas and not a lot of time or funds, there is no one sitting around scouring the internet for every visual effects related site. We as members must be very proactive and involved if we want the society to thrive. I would contact them about what you are doing.
Jeff