‘Avatar’ VFX Artists Become the Latest Group to Push For Unionization
In what has increasingly become a trend throughout Hollywood, the VFX artists behind James Cameron’s Avatar movies are unionizing.
The latest unionization effort comes on the heels of successful union creations by VFX artists at both Marvel Studios and Walt Disney Animation.
Photo: D23
Earlier this week, 83 artists at Lightstorm Entertainment filed with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to hold a vote to unionize with the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE).
“We stand at the cusp of a new era in the vfx industry. An era where every worker is valued, where their contributions are acknowledged, and their rights fiercely protected. This moment is a beacon for the entire industry,” IATSE International president Matthew D. Loeb said.
Photo: D23
A Big Year For VFX Unions
In their bid to unionize, Lightstorm VFX artists specifically cited the recent unionizations at Marvel and Disney. They also mentioned the recent DNEG Vancouver unionization effort.
Lightstorm employee Jenifer Anya discussed her reasons for wanting a union.
Photo: Disney
“We often hear studios compare themselves to ‘family’. And when you work for years on a project like the Avatar sequels, your coworkers begin to feel just as close. Every one of my coworkers has dedicated so much time, creativity, and passion to make these films a reality,” she said.
“So, when you see them struggling to cover their health premiums, or being overworked because they took on multiple roles, or are just scraping by on their wages… you cannot keep silent. We, as vfx workers, are not replaceable and deserve to be protected. We can do better, united together.”
Photo: D23
With their announcement, the Lightstorm VFX artist became the first “vendor-side” VFX artists in the United States to apply for unionization.
Even as Hollywood returns to work following the SAG-AFTRA and WGA, labor unrest continues to simmer.
Thanks for visiting MickeyBlog.com! Want to go to Disney? For a FREE quote on your next Disney vacation, please fill out the form below and one of the agents from MickeyTravels, a Diamond level Authorized Disney Vacation Planner, will be in touch soon! Also, thanks for reading!
