quote:  The recent Pirates of the Carribean movie was done using Max and Maya. Some games houses want to see if you can model, texture and animate a figure from the ground up. I overheard the rep from Insomniac Games

Actually, ILM used a good bit of zbrush for their textures, displacements, etc.  I think it is also important to keep up with the way the wind blows.  I've had zbrush for years, used it for textures....all of a sudden, everyone is realizing what a great app it is with its abilities to do displacement mapping for lower res objects.  Mudbox and Modo are 2 more up and coming apps.  Guess what I'm saying is simply....even if you are proficient with a higher end program, one must keep on the cutting edge to stay afloat.  I've got a Product Design studio who wants extensive work in zbrush over the next few months....and they want high poly, as well, since they have machines that can handle that stuff. 

Poser is kind of a get your feet wet, starting off program.  I think to be good in anything, you must push your limits.