The difference between programming and VFX is that you don't need to do maintenance programming on the finished result of a VFX project. Once you've rendered a

The difference between programming and VFX is that you don't need to do maintenance programming on the finished result of a VFX project. Once you've rendered a movie scene, that's it: either it looks good, or it looks lousy. Cheaply-built software (from India or otherwise) may look okay, but fall apart under its own weight; visual effects don't have that class of problem (or to the extent they do, it is a much smaller or less-frequent problem). If American VFX artists successfully unionize and attempt to charge higher prices for VFX work, you can expect to see more outsourcing of labor-intensive VFX to cheaper, nonunion VFX shops, many of which will be outside of the US. (Alternatively, some VFX shops will invest in capital projects - in the form of computer systems - that create quality VFX with fewer but more-productive artists.) It may in fact suck to be a VFX artist. There is, however, little that you can expect to do to change this, even if you do unionize. If your life as a VFX artist sucks and your pay is low, you may simply have to pay attention to this price signal, exit the industry, and seek employment elsewhere. Disclaimer. No moral judgement on the situation, the desirability of this situation, or other matters is hereby designated. This post discusses only economic concerns.