We don't disagree with the recent observations of Jeff Heusser, the VFX Soldier, or Scott Squires regarding our one year anniversary. We haven't dented the surface in connecting with the majority of workers out there. We'll do better when we unveil our website.
Steve Hulett, Steve Kaplan, and Peter Koczera are doing a fantastic job getting the word out. And yet, it isn't enough.
We think the vast majority of workers are hunkered down, working ridiculous hours, and with the threat of replacement by off-shore workers who would work for a small fraction of their wages, hanging over their heads.
Our challenge is to find a way to reach those who don't read the blogs, visit the websites, or attend the meetings.
Perhaps word of mouth will be more effective.
I remain an optimist.
As we enter negotiations with the Major Studios, the community will get to watch a democratic union in action. We hold meetings with our members and keep them fully informed as to the progress of those negotiations.
And, when visual artists come on board, we'll do the same for them.
They deserve the same rights, privileges and benefits as 100,000 motion picture industry workers covered by the IATSE Basic Agreement. Nothing more. Nothing less.
Jimmy
Jimmy, I would gladly tweet forward your post as I often do. I commend the steps that yourself and Steve Kaplan recently took to show a more open, welcoming and honest face of IATSE.
ReplyDeleteYou point to vfx artists being too preoccupied with the day to day work and not thinking far enough ahead about their own future pointing to vfx workers' passivity in advocating for IATSE as a union willing to represent us. You keep us honest.
Jeff Heusser, vfxsoldier and Dave Rand keep IATSE honest with their critiques. I occasionally join voices on both sides, this time a critique of the following statement:
"As we enter negotiations with the Major Studios, the community will get to watch a democratic union in action. We hold meetings with our members and keep them fully informed as to the progress of those negotiations."
A. IATSE is not the most democratic of unions out there. There is a website, numerous articles and even a phd dissertation on the subject.
B. Members are on "per need to know" basis and are certainly not "fully" informed on the proceedings of the negotiations.
I say the above as someone who has had a first hand experience with IATSE. I am of tired of slogans which have no grounding in reality. It is insulting.
Vfx workers may not be the most informed on unions and union matters, but we are not stupid, and we are learning fast.
Let's keep each other honest, no BS pls, as this is the only dynamic that will bring out the best on both sides and hopefully lead to a convergence of interests at some point in the future.
"Our challenge is to find a way to reach those who don't read the blogs, visit the websites, or attend the meetings. Perhaps word of mouth will be more effective. I remain an optimist. "
ReplyDeleteWord of mouth is your dream? Then explain to people why the IA has not allowed you to speak to ~10,000 visual effects artists directly by doing a podcast with us at fxguide. And why has IATSE passed on every press opportunity, town hall, etc? Visual effects artists in Los Angeles should not be able to drive down the street, open a web browser, listen to a podcast, read Cinefex, read twitter, attend a meeting of any kind related to visual effects, walk out the front door of any facility - without consistent messaging from the union. In this century, that is how you get to word of mouth. Hell, where are the t-shirts? (What's a good campaign without a t-shirt?)
I forgot to mention in the article that one other defining moment in this campaign is the lack of anyone from the visual effects world as a charismatic leader. Sure, there are a few people adding great information to the debate but these is no "follow me", passionate, one of us - leader. Maybe you thought VES would be that and they let you down?
You say "when we unveil our website", ok let me have a preview of where you are with that. It's been over a year now, even if it is not ready, it should be close, right? Any one of the people you seek to represent could have a web site up on their own in a matter of days. I get that you are a big organization and things take time - so give me the basic information you want to get out and I'll post it on fxguide (an offer I have made before). Work up basic information, frequently asked questions - if you are working on a website then this must all exist already... you write it, I'll post in right away. I'll even turn off comments for that post.
I was an optimist a year ago. You'll need to do a lot more than type here to prove to me that there is a reason to be optimistic today.
Jeff Heusser
Jeff,
ReplyDeleteHere's a website of a union that has a strong presence in the community and would gladly work with VFX artists that wish to organize.
http://animationguild.org/
Let's stop waiting and start acting.
Well said Jeff! IATSE is dropping the ball and just showing all the artists how out of touch they are.
ReplyDeleteHere my advice to IATSE:
1. Stop will the outdated rhetoric, you come off like empty promising politicians.
2. You should Facebook, Twitter, and webpages up. This shouldn't take you more than 2 months.
3. Do podcasts and/or live blog townhalls.
4. Tell vfx artists what kind of healthcare and pension plans you are offering.
5. Explain how the artists could join.
6. Contact the major vfx studios and their supervisors and leads and try to get them on board.
7. Stop saying untrue things about the vfx house, specifically statements acting like they are flushed with cash. Everyone in the industry knows that most houses barely turn a profit. The Studios are the problem. They are not willing to pay the vfx house what he need. If the vfx house object, the studios simply go overseas.
8. Learn about the industry! Explain the breakdown of the Union. Are the artists all put into one group or will they be separated into different categories, ie. animation, lighting, fx, compositing, roto, track, etc.
9. Explain what IATSE's plans are to address outsourcing and the possible illegal tax incentives that might be violating the WTO rules.