In a groundbreaking move, VFX workers on the sets of Marvel productions have taken strides towards unionizing by submitting a petition for an election for their representation by the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE).
This marks a pivotal moment for the VFX industry, as these workers assert their rights and advocate for the same protections that their peers in other sectors of the entertainment world have long enjoyed.
The discontent among VFX professionals regarding their treatment within Marvel has been quietly brewing over the past several years, despite the studio’s continued production of high-profile movies that heavily rely on visual effects.
Most of the on-set VFX crew [1] at Marvel have united by signing authorization cards, expressing their collective desire to be affiliated with IATSE. This reputable organization currently encompasses more than 168,000 workers spanning live theater, film, and TV production and the associated equipment and production shops that sustain these creative endeavors.
Key issues brought to the forefront by the organizers include concerns about turnaround times, safeguarding of work hours, pay equity, and overall improved working conditions in the VFX industry.
The rallying cry is for VFX artists to finally experience the same safeguards and benefits that their colleagues in various corners of the entertainment realm have had access to for decades.
Mark Patch, a VFX organizer for IATSE, emphasized the weight of this move: “For almost half a century, workers in the visual effects industry have been denied the same protections and benefits their coworkers and crewmates have relied upon since the beginning of the Hollywood film industry.” This step towards unionization is a crucial turning point, as VFX workers collectively voice their demands for the respect and recognition their work deserves.
Bella Huffman, a VFX coordinator, shed light on the challenges VFX workers face: “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.”
Interestingly, this push towards unionization coincides with the ongoing historic strikes staged by the Writer’s Guild of America and the Screen Actor’s Guild, both of which have caused disruptions in major Hollywood productions.
Now, as VFX workers make their demands for acknowledgment and change, the possibility of a VFX strike looms, potentially impacting the industry on an even larger scale.
The outcome of this movement could have far-reaching implications for the entertainment landscape, particularly concerning the treatment and compensation of VFX professionals [1] moving forward. As the dialogue around worker rights evolves, the unionization of VFX workers at Marvel may catalyze positive change across the entire industry.
