James Cameron‘s Avatar 2 was riding the high wave until someone decided to pull them down, and it seems justified. The film is all set for a grand release on December 16, and just like the prequel, critics have praise Way of Water for his breathtaking visuals, CGI work and, of course, VFX. However, despite the film’s big win during the initial stages of its release, one of the visual effects team members has slammed the film’s VFX partner company. ALSO READ | James Cameron’s Avatar Returns To Indian Theatres In 4K Before The Release Of Avatar 2- ARE YOU READY?
As per the latest report, Avatar: The Way Of Water had a budget of approximately $350 million to $400 million, and a major chunk of it is spent to make the film a visual extravaganza. Wētā Workshop is a special effects and prop company based in Miramar Wellington, New Zealand, and it was one of the companies which were hired for the visual effects of Avatar 2.
However, it seems the company was unfair to its employees!
I worked on Avatar 2. I'm proud of that.
— Logan Preshaw (@wickedinsignia) December 6, 2022
I am not proud of how little Weta Workshop pays its artists. As a concept artist I was paid the current minimum wage. A pay cut of $10/h from when I was a lead on animated cartoon shows.
Many of the practical artists were paid similarly. https://t.co/zI1CBYjtSv
Recently, Logan Preshaw, who has worked on Avatar 2 in the visual effects team, lashed out at Wētā Workshop for giving him a low salary. Taking to his Twitter handle, Logan expressed his disappointment as he reacted to a video shared by David F. Sandberg that featured behind-the-scenes of the film. He said that he’s proud of the film but not of their VFX partner.
Logan Preshaw wrote, “I worked on Avatar 2. I’m proud of that. I am not proud of how little Weta Workshop pays its artists.” He added, “As a concept artist I was paid the current minimum wage. A pay cut of $10/h from when I was a lead on animated cartoon shows. Many of the practical artists were paid similarly.”
If you have the money for this prop, you have the money to pay your artists adequately. Weta Workshop is a world-renowned name and Avatar 2 is a multi-million $$$ film.
— Logan Preshaw (@wickedinsignia) December 6, 2022
Many of the artists were earning a little over the tour shop staff's pay. Well below industry standard.
He also revealed, “I worked 10 hours a day for $21 NZD/h, which comes to just over $13 USD. 1 hour was deducted for lunch. When I asked for more pay 8 months in, quoting my previous job’s pay and experience, it was raised to $23. 3 months later I left. This is solely on Workshop. Not James Cameron, 20th Century or the overall production of Avatar 2.”
James Cameron’s magnum Opus has been receiving thumbs-ups from the critics as its first reviews are out. To everyone’s surprise, Avatar 2 has marked a new milestone in India as its 15000 tickets were sold within three days of advance booking in premium formats according to multiple media sources. ALSO READ | Avatar 2 First REVIEW OUT: Critics Cannot Stop Admiring THIS Visual Masterpiece! ‘Avatar The Way Of Water Is Bigger, Better And More Emotional’
For the unversed, the James Cameron directorial releases in India on December 16, 2022, in English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam.