There are 30,000 visual effects and/or dynamics media studios in the United States developing computer-generated graphics for the entertainment and broadcast media industries.
Of these visual effects studios, over half are very small businesses:
Approximately 54% have fewer than 5 employees.
One in three (29%) are freelancers.
Of course, the businesses that purchase creations from these small studios tend to be much larger themselves. Purchasers of visual effects and dynamic media include major film production companies, theme parks, computer game companies -- to name a few.
The visual effects industry presents an example of a thriving and complex ecosystem that can exist between large and small businesses. Large entertainment and broadcast businesses are outsourcing visual effects to a host of smaller companies. And the smaller companies in turn rely upon the larger businesses to be customers of their services. Sounds like some great partnerships to me.