Marvel Studiosis one of the biggest production companies in the cinematic landscape, but behind the scenes, the magic utilized to bring the stories to life appears to dangle in a disgruntling atmosphere. An anonymous VFX artist is speaking out about Marvel Studios' “bullying power” and the unhealthy conditions that have led to anxiety attacks and tearful breakdowns in effects houses.
VFX artists are an essential componentof the machine that allowsMarvel Studiosto experience the success it has gained. The talented artists use the latest technology to create visually stunning scenes that wouldn’t otherwise be possible by using computer-generated imagery to bring a film visually to life. Due to this, the working relationship between Marvel Studios and effects houses should live in a sea of support, but it’s becoming apparent that the studio is difficult to work with more often than not.
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An anonymous VXF artist sat down with Vulture to discuss the unhealthy working conditions at the studio. “It’s pretty well known and even darkly joked about across all the visual-effects houses that working onMarvel Studios showsis really hard,” stated the VFX artist, highlighting the incredible power of the studio over effects houses. “Marvel genuinely works you really hard. I’ve had co-workers sit next to me, break down, and start crying. I’ve had people having anxiety attacks on the phone.”
One of the problems mentioned by the anonymous VFX artist is the arduous number of projects Marvel Studios pushes out. During their panel at San Diego Comic-Con, the studio unveiled their cinematic plans forthe next two years in theMultiverse Saga, which includes a variety of different films and series set to release. According to the VFX artist, the studio is known to be very inflexible with its release dates but will institute significant changes to projects close to release without shifting dates.
“Maybe a month or two before a movie comes out, Marvel will have us change the entire third act,” stated the VFX artist. “It has really tight turnaround times. So yeah, it’s just not a great situation all around.” For effects houses, however, it’s a tight line to walk because failing to meet turnarounds may result in exclusion from future projects with the studio. The VFX artist provided an example of an effects house that couldn’t complete a tight turnaround in time for the studio, which unfortunately led to the house being “blacklisted” from getting Marvel Studios' work in the future.
Additional glaring problems, such as the Marvel Studios directors' lack of visual effects knowledge and the absence of a director of photography during post-production, all contribute to the growing tension between Marvel Studios and effects houses. As noted by the VFX artist, the problems mentioned are universal to almost every project, but effects houses can push back a little more against other studios. Unfortunately, the “bullying power” ofMarvel Studiosdoesn’t allow for it, which creates an environment whereVFX artists' voices are pushed asidein a sea of demanding desires and unrealistic wants.
