The VFX crew at Marvel Studios has taken a historic step by filing for a unionization election with the National Labor Relations Board. If successful, this move would mark the first time VFX professionals have formed a union to demand rights and protections similar to their unionized counterparts in the film industry.
The crew at Marvel Studios, consisting of over 50 workers, has shown overwhelming support for union representation by signing authorization cards indicating their wish to be represented by the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE).
IATSE is a prominent labor union representing technicians, artisans, and craftspersons in the entertainment industry, including live events, motion picture and television production, broadcast, and trade shows in the United States and Canada.
The VFX industry has historically remained non-union, despite its pivotal role in the film-making process. This has led to VFX workers being denied the same protections and benefits that their unionized colleagues in other film industry positions enjoy. The move to unionize comes amidst ongoing strikes by the Actors and Writers guilds, both seeking fair contracts with studios and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP).
Bella Huffman, a VFX Coordinator, emphasized the challenges faced by VFX professionals, such as lack of turnaround times, protected hours, and pay equity. The aim of unionization is to make the VFX department sustainable and safe for everyone, providing better working conditions and preventing exploitation of workers, both experienced and newcomers.
“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.”
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The IATSE International President, Matthew D. Loeb, commended the solidarity displayed by entertainment workers and their support for each other’s rights. He acknowledged the significant step taken by the Marvel VFX crew in using their collective voice to demand respect and fair treatment. “We are witnessing an unprecedented wave of solidarity that’s breaking down old barriers in the industry and proving we’re all in this fight together. That doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Entertainment workers everywhere are sticking up for each other’s rights, that’s what our movement is all about. I congratulate these workers on taking this important step and using their collective voice.”
Overall, this unionization effort represents a major shift in the VFX industry and could have far-reaching implications for improving the working conditions and rights of VFX professionals in Hollywood and beyond.
Last year, VX workers called out Marvel for creating difficult deadlines that and a stress-riddled environment. Earlier this year, Producer and former Special Effects supervisor Victoria Alonso left the studio The reasons for her exit were unclear, however as president of physical, post-production, VFX and animation, it probably had something to do with the criticisms by visual effects department.
