Comments on: Mass Animation: A Guest Rebuttal

By: poolparty

poolparty — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 23:53:52 +0000

I think mass animation is just revisiting a similar problem that exists in creative fields where people are under cut. The competition just drives down the pay. What mass animation does is open the floodgates on producers looking for a cheap work, and they should, because they were given that opportunity.

By: polyomino

polyomino — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 00:29:41 +0000

I don’t understand the strong negative feelings here. It’s a transaction between consenting adults, with no subterfuge.

Is it a good use of your time? Who am I to say. Is it a good way to make a movie? Heck, go for it.

As for the effects on the market… I spend my days behind a screen & mouse & keyboard, not producing food or shelter or even medicine, and getting my bloated American salary. I can’t tell how it’ll all play out in the end. Should probably learn how to grow corn, just in case.

By: leahzero

leahzero — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 22:16:14 +0000

“possibly get paid”

This is the main problem that most of us had with the competition.

Also, this isn’t really a rebuttal, as it addresses none of the myriad points and nuances of the situation that were brought up in the previous thread. Instead, this comes off as a pretty naive, rose-tinted view from a student with little or no work experience in the real world.

I’m curious if he’ll feel the same way 5 or 10 years down the road, when he has learned to value his time and expertise.

By: r3awak3n

r3awak3n — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 19:51:16 +0000

It is a concern that people are working for so little money. A lot of freelancers in this industry get that in a day of work, some can get twice as that. What will happen if people are willing to work for 500 dollars, hell, even 3k for a whole project….Also the problem also comes from the fact that people can work from all over the world, 500 dollars in the US is not that much but in india and brasil for example is a lot more money. THe work quality is great so how long will it be for big companies to source out work. It already happens with roto but it will probably happen with creative stuff…There are so many tallented dedicated people in countries where 200 dollars a day (even less), is a lot of money and they are whilling to work for that kind of money.

Competitions are great but this is a little sinister when they will grab all the hard work people did for 500 dollars and turn it into a lot of money… at least that is what i understand.

By: Justin Cone

Justin Cone — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 18:35:27 +0000

I don’t doubt that Mass Animation provides value for the individuals participating in it. My main complaint is that it’s not a sustainable system for film production. As a “talent scouting” service perhaps it has some future, though.

And just to be clear: I don’t categorically have a problem with competitions. My first ever motion graphics project was for a Creative Commons competition. It gave me the right amount of structure and incentive to get me started in a field that was (and still is) incredibly overwhelming.

By: r3awak3n

r3awak3n — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 18:09:37 +0000

i wont comment on the concept of mass animation. I can see both pros and cons from it but as in the world someone is pocketing a lot of money where others are working for little….

I do have to say that this trailler did not make me want to watch this movie a single bit, man, the guys voice was annoying and it was not all that exciting. not saying the movie is not going to be but this little exerpt wasnt that cool