Cool Projects, Annoying Scheduling - Animator Weta Digital Employee Review

Weta is incredibly organized. They do some of the best work in the industry, and work on some of the most amazing projects in world history. Everyone is really friendly and professional, and great at what they do. They're very conscientious and make a concerted effort to treat their employees well. Generally, I was never overworked while at Weta.

It's nearly impossible to make any meaningful impact on this company without 1) years - even decades - at the company 2) working on site in Wellington (I was working remote). Practically speaking, nearly all wetafx employees are machine operators. While I honestly admire Weta, their organization, professionalism, culture, high standard, friendliness, etc. This was probably the least fulfilling position I've ever held at any vfx company. But that's likely because of my sorta 'overly-ambitious' personality, and the covid/remote circumstances.

People are experienced pros on the whole. Tentpole projects. Paid for every hour you work with an OT rate for excessive hours. Usually high pay rates for overseas workers. Decent catering. Good parties.

Extremely short deadlines and mercurial decisions, leading to long hours for long periods of time and panic actions. Not a very cohesive company with each department having a different culture and questionable inter-departmental relations. Very little training and mentoring. Extreme pay differences between local and overseas workers. Supervisors seem to play favorites with work distribution and advancement. Poor pay increases, if any. Have had some poor on-screen credit classifications for outside clients. Weta Digital doesn't seem concerned about instilling loyalty or retaining personnel for the long haul. Recommend you work there for short-term projects and get out.