India's special effects sector grappling with a significant lack of skilled workforce

Vinay Sastha R, a technical director at DNEG, one of India's top visual effects (VFX) studios, has turned his childhood passion for fantasy films like The Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter into a career. At just 26 years old, Sastha R works on exciting projects that involve creating fantastical elements through VFX, such as lava rain in a city or a melting moon. The VFX industry in India has experienced a boom, with both domestic and international demand for special effects in various forms of entertainment, including films, animated TV shows, computer games, and streaming services like Netflix. India's affordability and the ease of working on projects remotely through cloud computing have made it a popular destination for outsourcing VFX work. However, the industry in India has also felt the effects of the strikes in Hollywood, which caused layoffs and delays in production. Despite these challenges, industry professionals believe that the market will recover, and India has the potential to handle all visual effects for global productions in the future. To meet the growing demand and address the shortage of skilled workers, the Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming and Comic (AVGC) Task Force is collaborating with universities and colleges to develop courses and qualifications. The hope is that senior members of the industry will get involved in education to motivate students to pursue careers in VFX and animation. While India's economic growth has been impressive, the cost of VFX courses and the necessary hardware and software remain a challenge, particularly for students. To address this, industry professionals suggest that media and tech companies should contribute more to funding these resources. Artificial intelligence (AI) is also expected to play a role in easing the staff shortage in the industry and changing the way films are made. While AI may lead to job losses in some areas, it also presents new opportunities for creativity and quality enhancement. Despite the advancements in technology, Sastha R still finds joy in watching his name roll in the credits after working on a film.