The VFX Artists Who Brought You ‘Avatar’ Have Voted To Unionize
In what has become an increasing trend throughout the VFX industry, visual effects artists at Lighstrom Entertainment have voted to unionize with the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees.
Their decision marks the first time that a group on the “vendor side” of VFX work has won union representation through an official National Labor Relations Board vote.
In total, 57 employees voted for union representation, while 19 voted against it. The VFX workers are employees of Walt Disney Studios through Lightstorm Entertainment.
“I could not be more proud of my fellow visual effects workers on the ‘Avatar’ sequels for standing together to secure our right to collectively bargain for more equitable compensation and benefits,” said Patrick DeVaney, a post-vis coordinator at Lightstorm, in a statement.
Unionization in the VFX Industry Continues
The latest unionization effort comes on the heels of workers at Marvel Studios and Walt Disney Pictures voting to unionize last fall. Traditionally, VFX workers have historically not been members of the IATSE.
“This is a huge step forward for our industry as a whole. We’ve come together as a united front to affirm our worth to not just the studios, but to the public as a whole. For too long I’ve been scared about where VFX is going, and even considered leaving. Now I actually feel like there’s a future for us. And I’m excited for it,” said Kristin Camera, a lab generalist at Lightstorm.
‘Avatar 3’ Is on the Way
The Lightstorm unionization efforts come after Avatar: The Way of Water grossed more than $2.3 billion at the worldwide box office in 2022. Avatar 3 is currently in production.
“Thanks to the courage of these workers and others, we stand at the cusp of a new era in VFX. An era where every worker’s contributions and value are recognized, and they can win the same rights and protections their union co-workers already have. As we move on to discuss negotiating a fair contract with management in good faith, let this moment serve as a beachhead for the entire industry,” said IATSE International President Matthew D. Loeb.
While the summer of 2023 will likely be remembered as a turning point for labor in Hollywood, as today’s news shows, changes are still rippling through the industry.
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