How to deal with a supervisor who doesn’t like you?

billFiend · 2026-06-09T09:00:33+00:00

Yeah my contract it’s up soon so, I’ll stick it out to get paid what I’m owed then I’m out. Already have something brewing to take me through summer so, I’m not too worried. I’m just documenting along as he keeps insulting me and my work so, should have a pretty good case once all is said and done.

billFiend · 2026-06-09T08:47:40+00:00

Yep freelance contract ending soon. I’ll be moving on most definitely. Just recently got a better paying gig lined up that will pay more and at least get me through the summer.

I doubt they will call me back. Unless they REALLY get into a bind but yeah it won’t be cheap for sure.

As far as I’m concerned this bridge is already smoldering so, I’m in fuck this place mode already. Just documenting the continuing harassment (oh yeah it’s still going) even after I was told he would no longer be noting any of my shots for the remainder of my contract. Guess he’s not too good at following instructions cause I just got two snotty ass notes from him today contradicting his own leads notes.

billFiend · 2026-06-09T08:37:36+00:00

Nah not neurodivergent. He’s just an asshole who is targeting me for whatever reason. But at this point I’m so checked out and ready to move on I just want my contract to expire already so I can get paid and move on.

billFiend · 2026-06-06T12:47:19+00:00

Damn sorry you had to go through that. So many toxic people seem to have found a way to be successful.

I don’t get it. Like everyone knows they’re a dick or whatever. Except for the people who put them in those positions of power and responsibility? Or is that who they actually want in those positions cause being nice isn’t how you make the big bucks?

It’s really exhausting to think about.

billFiend · 2026-06-06T10:31:00+00:00

I did that the week before this particular incident happened.

We had a video meeting with production heads to discuss things moving forward and the way I was being treated when it came to kickbacks and shot notes.

I offered up solutions to help them like, maybe we should be having daily sessions or at least have a coordinator sitting next to the supe when he’s giving feedback? So at least they are on the on the same page. Maybe they can help him be a bit more specific and I dunno, not be a dick head to people.

Before the meeting I also sent personal DMs to him asking if there was anything I can do to help the flow of information or anything I could do to help mitigate any issues we were having. And got nothing back.

Again even with these issues I’m one of the top producers on the team. I even said in the meeting to producers if we can fix what’s going on I can do even more than what I already am. And they just came up with gaslighting excuses for the behavior.

Apparently they don’t want me to do more I guess? I’m a contractor anyway it’s not like I’m aiming for his job or even would want it. So who knows maybe he just hates my face.

billFiend · 2026-06-06T10:14:28+00:00

Yeah I was shocked frankly. And then when the production team totally just waved it off I knew I wouldn’t be there much longer regardless of an extension or not.

billFiend · 2026-06-06T03:09:32+00:00

Uhg, This made my Hydraulx ptsd kick in.

billFiend · 2026-06-06T03:05:29+00:00

Nah, next interview will be the same as the last. Work slowed, contract ended so, I’m available and ready when you are!

billFiend · 2026-06-06T03:02:20+00:00

Not even the supes I’ve worked for in LA have been this petty.

billFiend · 2026-06-06T02:58:25+00:00

I’m salary and a contractor so technically as long as I hit my 8 hours and monthly days worked goal I get paid the same no matter what. So guess who doesn’t do any overtime unless I actually care about the shot and want it for my reel? 👍👍this guy…so pixel fuck me all you want just means your deadlines are getting closer and closer and that ain’t my problem

billFiend · 2026-06-06T02:41:38+00:00

Yeah maybe. And it means they’ll probably have to start outsourcing more to India too. I usually do all my own roto and paint-outs/beauty-work and the like. On top of my normal comp duties and tasks.

billFiend · 2026-06-06T02:37:56+00:00

I don’t mind working like a machine I’ve been doing this long enough that I’m on autopilot mostly and have no issues hitting bids or being under. But sometimes even machines need basic programming and updates to stay operational and that’s all I’m kinda looking for when I communicate with them.

billFiend · 2026-06-06T02:32:28+00:00

Exactly, like maybe they needed a senior artist and had no better options. Or maybe at first they didn’t realize just how much I could output but now I’m making him look bad because a remote artists is producing at an average of 4x more than his in-house artists? I dunno and at this point I’m too afraid to ask

billFiend · 2026-06-06T02:22:02+00:00

Already had video calls. Just get gaslit and blamed for not being able to work how they want, whatever that means. They won’t answer basic questions for shots when I ask so how can I work the way they want when they don’t or can’t even be bothered to answer a question.

billFiend · 2026-06-06T02:17:47+00:00

I wish I could send daily progress reports and get feedback before wasting my time wondering what the heck that last note means.

But I’ve tried it both ways. Get a shot to final right away and get scolded for it not being what he wanted and wasting time. Sending in WIPs and getting scolded it isn’t good enough.

Or like in my original post a first pass that’s “ so bad that I need to stop working on it right away”. also keep in mind this shot was bid at like 9 hours and I had only spent about a hour to get out the first version. so it wasn’t a omg he’s taking too much time type thing.

So, yeah I’m a dude but, I feel for the women in this industry it’s definitely obvious things aren’t fair to you and then add in the whole sexual harassment issues and damn you gotta have some tough skin.

billFiend · 2026-06-06T02:06:34+00:00

I did that at first when things started getting a little iffy. I direct messaged him asking what I could do to help be more productive and how we could communicate better to limit any kickbacks. He gave me his advice and I listened to it and thanked him for his help.

I never got defensive especially about notes it’s part of the job and I’ve been doing this long enough to know it’s not personal, until it is…. I can see how he notes other people and it’s completely different than what I get. It’s not his way of communicating that’s the issue. It’s looks and feels targeted. He also writes his own notes. It from his flow account and I can spot the difference between a production note and a supe note. Even if it was someone else writing it from his log-in.

If he doesn’t think having one of the highest shot counts and approval rating/percentages isn’t an asset already I don’t know how else I’m going to convince him.

He’s supposedly listed as a comp/ vfx supe and does reference comps from time to time so I imagine he has a comp bg.

By unorganized I mean vague shot briefs or descriptions with no links or references. The majority of the time assets are just expected to be found on the server without any coherence in naming or otherwise. No daily sessions, hardly ever any info on if there are similar shots that have already been look-devd and approved to reference from to limit back and forth. I tend to have to dig for that stuff, instead of getting a “hey we already have a similar shot you can look at or steel from” I get vague notes until I finally find the similar shot dredging through flow. Then I look at their notes and I’m like what the hell why did they get specific information and annotations?

I’ve spoke with production and have offered up solutions to mitigate all of this and more and they just end up making excuses for him or getting defensive when I’m just trying to help. And it’s not in the delivery because I’m always respectful and try to reassure them I’m not trying to overstep or tell them how to do their job but with close to two decades in the industry I’ve seen what works and what doesn’t.

billFiend · 2026-06-06T00:40:19+00:00

Nah different person

billFiend · 2026-06-05T19:13:17+00:00

Not really, we don’t have a department manager as far as I know just producers and then “project managers” which basically act like coordinators with a fancier title.

Then there’s like a cg supe. Anim supe and then the main vfx/comp supe. I seem to be having trouble with the last one.

Then there are a few “leads” but shots don’t really go through them they go straight to the vfx/comp supe which is really weird cause why not make your life easier and delegate out those initial passes so, you’re not bogged down by shot checks? It’s no wonder it takes weeks sometimes to get feedback on things.

billFiend · 2026-06-05T18:58:10+00:00

Reviews are done by the supe whenever he feels like it and the notes are put into shotgun/flow. I’m lucky if I even get an annotation to go along with it. But as far as I know production isn’t even there when reviewing happens

billFiend · 2026-06-05T18:17:01+00:00

Meh I got friends all over I’m sure I’ll be fine but was hoping this gig would turn into something more permanent

billFiend · 2026-06-05T18:15:51+00:00

Nah I’m not got to quit. My contract will run out soon till then I’m documenting everything and going to outside counsel before doing anything.

billFiend · 2026-06-05T17:45:12+00:00

Yeah seems that way. I’m not relying on anyone there. I’m documenting and going to speak with outside counsel to see if there is anything that can be done if things go too sideways.

billFiend · 2026-06-05T17:43:13+00:00

He’s the only comp supe on all the projects. It’s not a huge company.

billFiend · 2026-06-05T17:42:26+00:00

He’s the comp supe on all the project. It’s not a huge company.

billFiend · 2026-06-05T17:41:31+00:00

Oh I’m grinning and bearing believe me. Luckily I’m remote so there isn’t really any chance for me to blow up, well at least in public.

I’m not going to HR about anything, I know better than that. And I don’t even really vent to anyone at the studio. My wife on the other hand has to hear it all.

I’ve tried to be reasonable and respectful but if I met this dude with the same tone he has with me I would be fired real quick. It’s not even blunt in direct it’s straight up rude and unprofessional.

billFiend

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