Everyone should listen to this interview...
This is the most articulate, solution oriented conversation I have heard yet on this subject. If the VFX shops are awarded the money, respect, education, and deserved appreciation Ross proposes a trade organization would provide... I am confident there would be trickle down to the employees. Ten years ago, these needs (401k, benefits, fair hiring practices) were being met. Some shops back in the day even had car washing, dry cleaning services, meals provided, studio sponsored parties, etc. VFX shops managed to provide these things to artists even on a "next to nothing" profit margin. Then, times changed. The movie studios told shops you have half the budget , twice the work, and half the time... even though profits on VFX driven films are higher than ever. Studios told the shops, if you don't like it, the shop down the street beet your bid by 150k! So, the VFX shops began to hire cheap labor just to make ends meet.
The VFX companies are not the enemy in this situation and the situation is not personal. What have we got to lose? If the shops don't organize and fix the situation now, they are out of business anyways. Then, no one has a job. If the VFX shops paid dues to a trade organization like artists do to the VES, we might get somewhere. As long as the new trade organization does the job presented to them and isn't fluff and just talk, like some organizations we know. I think this is what Scott means by he would be willing to help organize as long as people made a commitment to the mission. If shops all agreed to pay dues to get the organization started, they might have a fighting chance in this as Ross put it "race to the bottom."
I also agree completely with Ross on a Union. The biz model for VFX shops is not one that could work with a Union. at this time The issues that artists have with the shops (401k, benefits, fair hiring practices) are only symptoms of the bigger problem. VFX was never working off of fat, it was lean muscle ten years ago... now we are cutting ligaments and bone as far as budgets and any profits. There is no room for negotiating. A union could help after we recover from the current circumstances... possibly, but I do not see how a Union would fix the profit margin issue between the Movie Studios and FX shops. How would a union deal with Runaway Production. I am curious how are they handling it now? I am pretty sure 2D ran away to Korea... no?
The one thing that did bother me in their talk was when they said the whole issue since the town hall "died because people are working." I know more people out of work than ever. Artists have no power, no money, no leaders, no experience in this stuff and mouths to feed. We feel helpless. That is why it died. If the VFX studios have no cash, you think out of work artists do? So, artists go overseas to help the lack of local talent for 1/3rd of their salary on even smaller budgeted movies and leave their wife and kids behind to keep a roof over their heads. It's the unskilled talent pool overseas that needs our artists to make the incentive program work. Again, worst biz model ever. And I digress.. Anyways, it's the first real discussion I have seen anywhere so far.
4 comments:
Though I agree a trade organization is in order, I don't share your faith in trickle down economics. Mainly since it has failed this country. Since it's inception it has done nothing but create the greatest economic inequality this country has seen since before the great depression. It is attributed to the disappearing middle class by many economists, including economists that have won the Nobel Prize for their work in economics. Trickle down didn't trickle down. Do a search online and check out the graphs. The money just went straight to the top as salaries lowered for the middle class, ceo pay sky rocketed. This is a direct effect of faith based economics.
If we take no part in looking out for ourselves as a valuable resource the only thing that will change is facilities will start making money, for us the dynamic's will stay the same or get worse.
There were so few capable artists 10 years ago so our value held. Now that the numbers have grown exponentially our value drops. More numbers = less value. As we continue to train up cheaper and cheaper labor abroad it will only lower our value more and more.
I've posted a response to Scott Ross on my blog.
I'm for a trade organization, but at the same time I'm for a labor organization to represent the artists.
What's interesting is that the very same arguments Scott uses to support a trade organization are the same ones he uses against a labor organization.
VFX Soldier - I saw your post and I disagree with most of what you said.
You didn't listen to Scott's points because you were so blinded by the fact he saw problems with a Union.
If you actually understood the business of animation/CG and VFX, you would have comprehended what Scott was saying a Union would do for the industry... vs. what a trade org would do.
I worked for Scott for 3 years and he was the most positive employer I had in my 17 years in animation. He actually gave a shit about the people who worked at DD. I guess we will just have to agree to disagree. Maybe one day you will tell people who you are and stop hiding behind a moniker when you call them out for what they say publicly.
Anonymous - my interpretation of trickle down is based on "artist-run" companies. Most studios I have worked for that are run by artists appreciate and reward their employees when possible. Read: a good year = bonuses and raises.
Companies run by a board of directors or producers tend to not see their employees the same. There is a supply and demand issue now that stop mo and traditional artists have crossed over into CG. However, my experience is I am still hired for my background and skill in today's market.
I don't see myself in competition for the jobs going to India. Those shows do not have the budget to hire me, so they should go overseas.
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