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About VFX Spotlight

Last Updated: 12/8/2025

Mission

We believe that visual effects artists should be cast for their unique talents and style, just like actors.

Kevin Todd Haug summed it up 20 years ago:

"You're a director; you go to a movie, let's say, WAR OF THE WORLDS. You see a cool shot; let's say, the impossible camera move in, out and around the minivan. You say to yourself, 'Hey, whoever did that work would be great for an effects shot I need in my next film. I need to find out who they are. All I can say is: Good luck."

and...

"Artists should be picked to fit the shots. You wouldn’t cast a period costume designer to design space suits. Same goes for choosing VFX craftspeople."

Stop job hunting - Get headhunted

This is not yet another job board. What we're building instead turns the idea of a job board on its head.

Artists don't search for jobs on VFX Spotlight, jobs search for artists.

How it works for artists

  • Showcase your work, list your credits and skills, write stories about your achievements.
  • If you did that minivan shot in War of the Worlds, employers will find you and read how you did it.
  • No need for those demeaning "Open to work" ribbons on your LinkedIn profile. Brad Pitt doesn't do that! Why should you?

How it works for recruiters

  • Why write LinedIn posts saying, "We are looking for artists to join our team ...". Instead just look for artists on VFX Spotlight make offers to any that match your needs. Cut out the middle step.
  • Search based on work history, skills, location, story content, and more.
  • Search "war minivan camera" and you'll find the artists involved and can read how they did it.
  • Make bids to artists for positions you want to cast. Then negotiate in message threads (like AirBnB).

Ever noticed how AirBnB doesn't employ an army of estate agents? Same concept here.

The process

The platform manages the lifecycle of bids. It's like an automated talent agent working for both sides. If an artist accepts an offer, other overlapping offers are automatically declined with a polite message. Likewise if an employer fills all vacancies for a role, other candidates for the same role are automatically rejected, again with a polite message. We provide contract templates with auditable electronic signatures.

Who's behind VFX Spotlight?

Julian Mann

I'm Julian Mann. I've been VFX artist and programmer since 1995. I helped start DNEG in 1998 and later led R&D at MPC Film. I've been a freelancer and a full time VFX artist wearing many hats. I've also been on the hiring side.