Posted by Consumers seem to have an insatiable appetite for exciting, high-definition visual experiences. Moviegoers continue to flock to action-adventure and fantasy films with stunning visual effects (VFX) and realistic computer-generated imagery (CGI) animation. Consequently, directors and producers are packing more and more animation and VFX shots into every film. While Jurassic Park (1993) included only 50 special effects or VFX shots, Captain America: Civil War (2016) used 3,000.
Beyond the multiplex cinemas, people are also consuming more video content on everything from large, 4K/ultra-high-definition (UHD) TVs to tablets and smartphones. They are finding this content not only on Netflix, Amazon, and Hulu, but also on YouTube and Facebook, where consumer brands and even independent producers are posting an increasing amount of high-quality content.
In parallel, the market for virtual reality (VR) content—including immersive 3D video experiences and 360-degree video—is taking off. VR is not only finding its way into games, sports, and entertainment, but also corporate sales, marketing, and training. Consumers are exploring VR headsets and testing viewers that attach to their smartphones in the quest for captivating experiences.
Addressing the Growing Demand With People and Technology
VFX houses, VR producers, and animation studios are doing everything they can to keep up with demand. Their mission—deliver the most innovative, engaging visual experiences quickly and cost-effectively.
Of course, for many of these organizations, accomplishing that mission requires important changes. First and foremost, they need to ensure they have a full stable of experienced artists and designers who can work around the clock to produce all of that content while meeting tight deadlines.
But, they also need robust technology. Organizations need the latest software plus powerful workstations and access to large render farms that can handle a wide array of compute-intensive processes, from modeling and animation to rendering and compositing.
The storage infrastructure is also a key part of the technology equation. The days of using multiple external hard drives or even modest network-attached storage (NAS) systems are over. Organizations need solutions that can accommodate hundreds of terabytes of high-resolution content; provide the performance for full VFX, VR, or animation workflows; and deliver fast, shared file access to facilitate collaboration among scores of artists and designers.
Controlling cost is also vital. In a field where the lowest bid often wins the job, organizations must reduce not only hardware acquisition costs, but also ongoing administrative costs. They need storage solutions that can deliver the greatest bang for the buck.
Is your storage environment ready to take on your next major VFX, VR, or animation project?
Check out our eBook, Meet The Rising Demand for Captivating Visual Experiences to learn more about the specific storage requirements for VFX, VR, and animation—and discover how Quantum StorNext® storage solutions can help you meet those requirements.
Nowadays VR and VFX animaton is booming in an entertainment industry. It is obviously true that demand of VR and VFX is now high and that is why the storage capacity of an organization should be high that can provide the performance for full VFX, VR and animation workflows.
Yes, definitely the storage capacity of an organization should be higher or I must say an organization must have a 10% of its investments on it. Because VFX and VR demand heavy load of work so, therefore, animated video production houses are really working on it as VFX and VR are the new emerging markets now.
Thanks Kelly for sharing such an informative blog with us! it’s really helpful!
Interesting article. It’s amazing how technology has evolved in today’s world. Honestly, I’m not very much the “techie” type of guy and don’t have much of an idea what VFX and VR mean. But based on this article, it looks like they have indeed provided a positive impact in the entertainment industry. I would definitely read more on this. Thanks.