One of the actually cool things about the VFX industry is that some studios are entering the share market. Why? Because now, a regular VFX artist can sneak a peek behind the curtain and see how these studios really work.
Just hop over to the company’s website, click on the investor center (yes, that button you usually ignore), and voilà—you’ve got access to some juicy financial details about the studio. it’s great to see where all that hard work (and overtime) goes, right?
In a world where layoffs and burnout feel like industry traditions, the revenue reports of a VFX studio can tell you a lot. For instance, they show how a studio decides who stays and who goes. Is it all about budgets? Market shifts? Or maybe just bad management? (Oh, and I’m talking about real hiring and firing here—not those fake “we’re hiring” posts that seem to pop up during a hiring freeze.)
For VFX artists, listed studios are a goldmine of transparency and insight. You get access to things like profit margins, budgets, and debt figures—all those boring-sounding numbers that suddenly get interesting when you realize they could help you negotiate better pay or perks. “Oh, you can’t afford my raise? Funny, your quarterly report says profits are up 20%. Care to explain?”
Speaking of quarterly reports, these are a treasure trove. Many listed companies even host public earnings calls where you can hear executives talk about future plans—expansions, collaborations, and those big-ticket projects you’d love to work on. Listening in almost feels like insider gossip, except it’s totally legal.
Take a recent example: In India, two VFX studios listed on the share market recently dropped their financial results for January to June 2024. One raked in ₹36.65 crores in six months, while the other brought in a whopping ₹77crores. That’s some serious cash. Honestly, it makes you wonder how these studios managed before the pandemic. Did they thrive, or just scrape by?
Post-COVID, the industry saw a boom in small VFX studios popping up everywhere. At first, it felt like a golden age—more studios meant more opportunities! But fast-forward to now, and it’s a feeding frenzy. Too many studios, not enough work.
It’s both depressing and oddly satisfying to see those financial reports. On one hand, you realize just how much value the VFX industry generates. On the other, you can’t help but wonder where all that money goes. Not bad for an industry where coffee-fueled all-nighters are part of the job description.
read our previous article : https://topicroomsvfx.com/articles/visual-effects-and-stock-market/
