Everyone should listen to this interview...
This is the most articulate, solution oriented conversation I have heard yet on this subject. If the VFX shops are awarded the money, respect, education, and deserved appreciation Ross proposes a trade organization would provide... I am confident there would be trickle down to the employees. Ten years ago, these needs (401k, benefits, fair hiring practices) were being met. Some shops back in the day even had car washing, dry cleaning services, meals provided, studio sponsored parties, etc. VFX shops managed to provide these things to artists even on a "next to nothing" profit margin. Then, times changed. The movie studios told shops you have half the budget , twice the work, and half the time... even though profits on VFX driven films are higher than ever. Studios told the shops, if you don't like it, the shop down the street beet your bid by 150k! So, the VFX shops began to hire cheap labor just to make ends meet.
The VFX companies are not the enemy in this situation and the situation is not personal. What have we got to lose? If the shops don't organize and fix the situation now, they are out of business anyways. Then, no one has a job. If the VFX shops paid dues to a trade organization like artists do to the VES, we might get somewhere. As long as the new trade organization does the job presented to them and isn't fluff and just talk, like some organizations we know. I think this is what Scott means by he would be willing to help organize as long as people made a commitment to the mission. If shops all agreed to pay dues to get the organization started, they might have a fighting chance in this as Ross put it "race to the bottom."
I also agree completely with Ross on a Union. The biz model for VFX shops is not one that could work with a Union. at this time The issues that artists have with the shops (401k, benefits, fair hiring practices) are only symptoms of the bigger problem. VFX was never working off of fat, it was lean muscle ten years ago... now we are cutting ligaments and bone as far as budgets and any profits. There is no room for negotiating. A union could help after we recover from the current circumstances... possibly, but I do not see how a Union would fix the profit margin issue between the Movie Studios and FX shops. How would a union deal with Runaway Production. I am curious how are they handling it now? I am pretty sure 2D ran away to Korea... no?
The one thing that did bother me in their talk was when they said the whole issue since the town hall "died because people are working." I know more people out of work than ever. Artists have no power, no money, no leaders, no experience in this stuff and mouths to feed. We feel helpless. That is why it died. If the VFX studios have no cash, you think out of work artists do? So, artists go overseas to help the lack of local talent for 1/3rd of their salary on even smaller budgeted movies and leave their wife and kids behind to keep a roof over their heads. It's the unskilled talent pool overseas that needs our artists to make the incentive program work. Again, worst biz model ever. And I digress.. Anyways, it's the first real discussion I have seen anywhere so far.