Alrighty... let's see how long it takes the bought-off Gestapo of Highend to remove this thread AGAIN...
Stargate Digital. Stargate Films. Take your pick of names. I worked there for a few years, so what I say I say from personal experience. For those looking for a new job in post-production / visual effects, I suggest steering clear of SG. Why? Why are all these rabid-sounding posts periodically dropped into highend?
Stargate, owned by Sam Nicholson, has the potential to be a great place to work. They usually have interesting projects, a wide variety of work, very talented people and a nice physical environment. But in spite of all this, it has been my experience, and the experience of many others, that this is not a nice place to work. For one, the pay is abusive.
Sam resists tooth and nail giving people what they deserve. He'll fire you first because he'll "just hire someone else". He pays industry vets about 60% what rookies normally get. He pays rookies nothing much of the time. Then, after a few weeks or months, you'll be fortunate enough to have earned $250/wk. After 6 months, you may get bumped up to $400 or $500. They now have 3 offices: South Pasadena, Vancouver and London. They just bought out a smaller studio in, I think, Glendale. This coming from the company that supposedly is struggling and can not afford to give its workers better pay.
The owner, Sam Nicholson, lies. It's what he does best. He can look you straight in the face and, in the most convincing manner I personally have ever seen, lie. He once told KCET TV with a straight face that his studio could create a virtual set like that used for USA's Helen of Troy in 20 minutes. It took the 3D department weeks to complete that set.
He lies to his employees. He promises them "rewards" for all their hard work without ever getting specific. He tells them that their long hours are being "noticed". The rewards? No raises, because now it's either slow or the company simply has no money for whatever reasons. No comp time, but no reason's ever given. No OT pay, which is against the law. He's already been successfully sued, perhaps twice? He talks about you having passion for your work. He wants sacrifice from his workers and sacrifices NOTHING for them.
This isn't some slander attempt or revenge thing. This is anger that built up over years from mistreatment. If no one believes me I won't be upset. They will just learn the hard way. But either way, they will learn.
My advice? Avoid SG like the plague. You are not cared about. You are used. And if you don't like the pay, you can get the [bleep] out according to the powers that be. Sam's dogs are more important to him than his workers are. Some workers are harrassed by one of the three dogs in particular, Rocket (stupid name for a dog). This dog picks people he just isn't going to like, no matter how many bribes of food or affection are offered. And he barks, harrasses, even threatens. Occasionally, he will attack. Sam's attitude? The studio is the dogs' home. YOU need to give them THEIR space. Bother them and their will be "problems" for you. Thing is, the city can't do anything about it until the dog's attack actually causes the need for stitches.
Heed this warning or dismiss it as BS and apply for a SG position. Either way, you'll learn.
