The visual effects professionals at Marvel have voted to unite as part of a labor union, seeking improvements in wages, overtime pay, benefits, and overall treatment. As Vulture reports, a significant majority of Marvel’s 50 on-set VFX team members have submitted a request for an election with the National Labor Relations Board, with intentions to join the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE). This union also provides representation for other industry professionals such as makeup and hair artists, wardrobe staff, and lighting and prop crew members. This move comes as a response to Marvel’s heavy reliance on visual effects to bring its characters and stories to life, while its VFX artists remain without union representation. IATSE has actively sought to broaden its membership to include VFX and animation workers lately.
Past and present VFX employees of the company have expressed their frustrations regarding the demanding schedules and immense pressure faced while working on projects for the studio. IGN sources have reported that unreasonable tasks and timeframes have been imposed on the artists. Some shared their experiences with Vulture, describing how the frantic production pace for “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” resulted in hasty work, leading to a product that was criticized as “lackluster” by many reviewers.
Bella Huffman, a VFX coordinator, expressed her concerns, stating: “Usual turnaround times, safeguarded hours, and equal pay are not applicable to us. It’s imperative that visual effects become a sustainable and secure department for everyone, considering the prolonged suffering and to assure new entrants that they won’t be taken advantage of.”
Furthermore, Vulture hinted that a strike by Marvel’s VFX artists might be on the horizon, a method frequently used by workers attempting to unionize. It’s worth noting that both the Writers Guild and the Screen Actors Guild are currently on strike, demanding improvements in pay, residuals from streaming hits, and regulation concerning the use of AI in the entertainment industry.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about fokus keyword Marvel’s VFX employees
Who have Marvel’s visual effects employees voted to join?
They have voted to join the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), a union that represents various industry professionals.
Why are Marvel’s VFX employees seeking to join a union?
They are seeking to join a union to fight for better pay, overtime compensation, more benefits, better treatment, and to address concerns about grueling schedules and impossible work demands.
What specific issues have been reported by Marvel’s VFX employees?
Issues include grueling schedules, breaking down under pressure, tasks impossible to finish within given timeframes, and rushed work leading to subpar end products, such as the described “bland” work on “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.”
Who is coordinating the effort to unionize Marvel’s VFX workers?
The VFX employees themselves have initiated the effort, with support from IATSE, which has been actively seeking to expand its membership to include VFX and animation workers.
Is a strike by Marvel’s VFX artists likely?
A strike is not ruled out, and it is mentioned as a common tactic by workers seeking to organize. Other industry unions, like the Writers Guild and the Screen Actors Guild, are also on strike, which might influence the VFX artists’ decision.
What statement did VFX coordinator Bella Huffman make regarding the situation?
Bella Huffman stated: “Turnaround times don’t apply to us, protected hours don’t apply to us, and pay equity doesn’t apply to us. Visual effects must become a sustainable and safe department for everyone who’s suffered far too long and for all newcomers who need to know they won’t be exploited.”
More about fokus keyword Marvel’s VFX employees
- Vulture
- International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE)
- IGN
- Writers Guild of America
- Screen Actors Guild
5 comments
After the Ant-Man fiasco, this was bound to happen. Rushed work never leads to quality; glad they’re taking a stand!
Finally, the VFX artists are standing up for themselves. Marvel needs to treat them better! its about time.
This could really affect the quality of Marvel movies, right? i mean if they go on strike, what happens to the big releases?
Isn’t IATSE the one for stage employees? They’re getting into VFX now? confused but glad these artists are getting support.
AI regulation in Hollywood? Now that’s an interesting aspect. Want to see how this plays out.