ILM
As far as the "below the line" (there is a line on production budgets that
separates actors, writers, directors, and DP's from the rest of the crew
budget) crew, they come from all over the place. I worked for six years in the
IATSE, arguably one of the most powerful unions in the world. Most of my
co-workers came from long lines of IATSE union members, nepotism seeming to be
the #1 way to get into the union. There were a few film/art school grads, like
myself, but they (like myself) were doing this until they got the "big break".
I got the "big break" when I dislocated my shoulder in an accident involving a
drunk driver, and considered myself a workman's comp. risk. My shoulder would
pop out of its socket without warning, in the wierdest situations. Thankfully
I have found an even more rewarding and varietal career in CGI animation.
John Tissavary (La Luna cie)