Three Animation Guild negotiating committee members oppose studio deal over AI
As someone who has spent decades in the ever-evolving world of animation, I can truly empathize with the concerns and apprehensions of my fellow artists regarding the impact of AI on our industry. The potential for job losses is undeniably looming, but as history has shown us, change often brings both challenges and opportunities.
In the face of growing concerns about artificial intelligence within the movie industry, there’s been unrest among the ranks of the union representing animators due to their recent agreement with leading film studios.
Three representatives from the Animation Guild’s negotiation team have announced that they intend to cast a “no” vote on the proposed contract reached between the guild and their employers, as they feel the safeguards regarding Artificial Intelligence are not comprehensive enough.
In his Instagram post, negotiations committee member Michael Rianda expressed concern that the AI and outsourcing safeguards in the contract might not be robust enough. He believes this could potentially result in a substantial number of job losses. Moreover, he emphasized that the well-being of real people could be adversely affected if these protections are not implemented.
According to a statement from The Animation Guild’s executive board, over 90% of the negotiation committee team endorsed the preliminary contract, urging its approval. In simpler terms, most members of the negotiation team support the proposed deal, and they recommend that it be accepted.
The executive board acknowledges that the topic of Generative AI is a complex and potentially alarming matter for our sector. They are aware of the emotions it has stirred up among our members, ranging from enthusiasm to anxiety. Moreover, they stress that union contracts alone might not be sufficient to address this issue, as demonstrated by recent agreements between other entertainment unions with larger memberships and more bargaining power than ours.
Last month, the Animation Guild managed to strike a deal with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, who represent large production studios. The members of the Animation Guild now have until December 22nd to cast their votes on this new contract.
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On Monday, OpenAI announced plans to make their contentious video-generating tool available to the general public, offering various subscription options.
In this three-year agreement, the guild proudly highlighted various advantages such as enhancing health and pension plans, along with salary boosts – 7% in year one, 4% in year two, and 3.5% in year three. This contract also incorporates safeguards for Artificial Intelligence, encompassing notification and consultation requirements; provisions ensuring secure remote work environments; and the acknowledgement of Juneteenth as a recognized holiday.
The guild encompasses over 6,000 artists, technical specialists, scriptwriters, and production personnel who work within the realm of animation.
Steve Kaplan, representing the Animation Guild in business matters, expressed his pride after weeks of discussions that spanned over several months. The agreement reached with the studios for our new contract was the result, he said in a statement. This deal not only incorporated advancements in the industry, as seen by other Unions and Guilds, but it also tackled unique issues within our sector effectively.
In his Instagram post, Rianda explained that the guild did not manage to set staffing minimums “to safeguard crew numbers from potential job losses due to AI.” However, if the proposed contract isn’t approved by guild members, they will return to negotiations with AMPTP. If these discussions fail, the union might initiate a vote for strike authorization.
As a passionate cinephile, I recently expressed my thoughts on Bluesky: “Casting a ‘No’ vote might just provide us with the power we require to secure significant advancements.” I understand that this decision could potentially mean letting go of some previously negotiated aspects. However, when considering the importance of A.I., Outsourcing, and Staffing Minimums, it’s up to each one of us to decide if those elements outweigh our pressing needs in these areas.
Several labor unions representing the behind-the-scenes workers in Hollywood have advocated for mandatory minimum staffing levels, but so far their efforts have had limited success. In a recent development, The Animation Guild’s proposed contract incorporates a provision ensuring a minimum staffing level and job security for animation writers. Last year, the Writers Guild of America achieved similar protections in TV writers rooms following a strike.
Many individuals working in Hollywood express worry over possible job displacement due to artificial intelligence. On the other hand, advocates of AI argue that this technology could lead to cost reduction, enable exploration of innovative concepts, and accelerate the pace of filmmaking.
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An exclusive backstage glimpse into a film festival staged in San Francisco, showcasing films produced using artificial intelligence.
A recently published report predicts that approximately 62,000 jobs in the entertainment industry could be automated through AI over the next three years, with positions such as 3-D modeling, character design, and environment creation potentially being affected. The study was conducted by a coalition consisting of the Animation Guild, Concept Art Association, Human Artistry Campaign, and National Cartoonists Society Foundation.
The worries have sparked increased curiosity among workers about becoming part of the guild, more commonly referred to as IATSE Local 839. According to The Times, from December 2021 to December 2023, approximately 1,000 animation specialists from around a dozen studios were authorized to unionize through The Animation Guild, which was established in 1952.
Joey Clift, a writer for “Spirit Rangers” on Netflix, stated that safeguards for artificial intelligence are high on the agenda for committee members; however, he noted that the current draft of the contract seems to fall short in this regard.
As a passionate cinephile, I’ve voiced my concerns on Bluesky. The contract we negotiated was hard-fought with a few minimal AI safeguards included, but these aren’t the robust, commonsense AI boundaries needed to truly protect animation workers. Consequently, I’ve decided to cast my vote as “no”.
Hollywood Inc.
Animation professionals are worried about the potential impact of artificial intelligence, fearing it could result in loss of jobs.
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2024-12-11 22:31