Digital visual effects firm cites macro factors for proposed changes
Wētā FX is proposing changes to about 100 roles in its support departments as a result of challenges facing the global entertainment industry.
The digital visual effects and computer animation firm told HRD that affected roles are in its support departments, which are largely based in Wellington.
A consultation period has started with the crew who are expected to be impacted, according to the company, with the changes to be confirmed following a period of feedback and review.
"If the proposed changes are confirmed, they will be phased in with specific dates or role transitions dependent on individual agreements and circumstances," Wētā FX told HRD in a statement.
Wētā FX has approximately 2,200 crew globally, most of whom are contracted artists who are not impacted by the proposed change process.
"As with all visual effects houses, artist numbers fluctuate based on the needs of current projects, so it is not uncommon for crew numbers to shift over time," the company said.
The company attributed the change to a number of macro factors, including current challenges facing the global entertainment industry.
"In addition to unexpected delays in projects being greenlit due to financial considerations, the industry continues to feel the long-tail impact of the pandemic, industry strikes, and changes in audience content consumption habits," it said.
"As a leader in visual effects, which happens at the end of a film's creation in the post-production process, Wētā FX is navigating the after-effects of these disruptions to ensure ongoing sustainability."
Wētā FX worked on some of the highest-grossing films ever made, such as the Lord of the Rings trilogy and the Avatar series.
It also won seven Academy Awards for Best Visual Effects for its work on The Lord of the Rings trilogy, King Kong, The Jungle Book, as well as Avatar and its sequel, Avatar: The Way of Water.
