Questions about hiring 3D modeler for project and what needs are not being met

OutlawHue

Please excuse the title. Anyone can pitch in, but I am interested in the opinions of those who have hired or will hire 3D modelers for contracts:

• Do you first seek to hire a contractor/vendor to provide 3D assets, or do you search for "ready-made" models instead? And let me know why either way
• Do you feel the need for 3D modelers is growing/sustaining/shrinking in the game industry?
• If you are hiring a contractor to handle the 3D modeling what is the first general aspect you are looking for (to be successful)?... and if you have reservations about working with a contractor, what generally is the problem that may cause the project to be unsuccessful?

 Anyone can chime in, thanks!

Eric Chadwick

Seek to hire. We have very specific assets that need to be made to a specific style. 

Growing.

Talent that matches our style. Or skill that shows they can adapt with directions.

Reservations are mostly around professionalism, which can be sussed out in interview.

OutlawHue

Thanks for giving your opinion @Eric Chadwick
I spoke at a seminar not too long ago for game developers and talent that matches the style of the project was a popular answer.
Also the professionalism of the talent was popular. I found that there were a number of developers who also saw professionalism included flexibility and pushing for the deadline (possibly crunching).

Thanks!

Alex_J

OutlawHue said:

 who also saw professionalism included flexibility and pushing for the deadline (possibly crunching).

No that is amateurism. The opposite.

A professional doesn't abuse themselves. If there were more professionals and less amateurs, deadlines would become more realistic.

A professional does strive hard to do their best and enjoys tackling new challenges, but working overtime is counterproductive and defeats the purpose of being a professional in the first place. Might as well stamp license plates in the prison yard if thats how you are willing to be treated.

And if the big boss is wanting you to shift your schedule around last minute, that's his problem he has created so he is the one to exercise flexibility to fix it. SHould have been more professional. Don't fuck with peoples off time and family time.

Of course you give people the benefit of the doubt. Boss is only human too. But if you are being asked to do the splits on a monthly occassion, your flexibility is being abused by somebody who needs you to retrain them in how to treat employees.

OutlawHue

 I agree with much of what you're stating @Alex Javor

In my opinion it is disappointing when I hear ideas of over-stressing the hired talent to get to a deadline that may not have been properly arranged. 
 

poopipe

Hire 

Growing,  fast

I'd only hire a contractor for a very specific purpose so they'd need to be a proven specialist in that area. Professionalism is the big thing - communication, and sticking to schedules above all.