Wētā FX Proposes Changes Impacting ~100 Roles
Global Industry Headwinds Cited for Wellington VFX Studio Adjustments
Around 100 positions at visual effects powerhouse Wētā FX are subject to proposed alterations, the company has confirmed. The Wellington-based firm, renowned for its digital visual effects and computer animation, is consulting with affected crew members regarding these potential changes, primarily within its support departments.
Consultation Underway for Support Staff
Most of the roles under review are located in Wellington. A Wētā FX spokesperson stated that a consultation period has commenced for the crew whose positions are proposed to be impacted. They added, “Following a period of feedback and review, the changes will be confirmed and impacted crew will be informed. If the proposed changes are confirmed, they will be phased in with specific dates or role transitions dependent on individual agreements and circumstances,”
they said.
Positions, mostly in support departments, are proposed to be impacted at the animation and visual effects company based in Miramar. (Source: 1News)
Wētā FX currently employs approximately 2200 individuals worldwide. The majority of these are contracted artists, who are not included in this review process.
Macroeconomic Factors Drive Proposed Changes
The company attributes the proposed adjustments to several “macro factors” affecting the global entertainment industry. These include unforeseen project postponements due to financial decisions, lingering effects from the pandemic, industry labor strikes, and evolving audience preferences for content consumption.
“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 spokesperson noted.
Mayor Expresses Concern for Wellington’s Creative Sector
Wellington Mayor **Tory Whanau** shared her disappointment regarding the proposed changes. “If proposed changes leading to job losses are confirmed, this will be a major blow to Wellington’s creative sector and the city’s economy, especially with the ongoing public service cuts,”
**Whanau** stated.
She emphasized the city’s willingness to collaborate with the government and Wellington NZ. “We are ready to work with the Government and Wellington NZ to enhance the incentives programme, ensuring New Zealand can compete with other countries like Australia and attract a greater number of international productions.”
This situation mirrors broader industry trends; for instance, a recent report indicated that global entertainment industry revenue saw a slight dip of 2.1% in 2023 compared to 2022, impacting various segments including VFX services (Statista 2023).
