Comments on: Open Letter To James Cameron: Fairness For Visual Effects Artists http://leestranahan.com/?p=581 Lee Stranahan Sat, 04 Sep 2010 17:08:04 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: A seasoned veteran of vfx http://leestranahan.com/?p=581&cpage=1#comment-1038 A seasoned veteran of vfx Sun, 07 Mar 2010 03:13:41 +0000 http://leestranahan.com/?p=581#comment-1038 The problem is bigger then you appear to understand Rob. But I will keep it short, the directors enjoy their guild The writers enjoy their guild The actors enjoy theirs the Gaffers etc oh and lets not for get the Producers enjoy their guild as well. I see no reason why we shouldn't enjoy the benefits of a guild as well. The problem is bigger then you appear to understand Rob.
But I will keep it short, the directors enjoy their guild
The writers enjoy their guild
The actors enjoy theirs
the Gaffers etc
oh and lets not for get the Producers enjoy their guild as well.
I see no reason why we shouldn’t enjoy the benefits of a guild as well.

]]> By: YOUR A GODDAMN HERO TO US !!! http://leestranahan.com/?p=581&cpage=1#comment-1034 YOUR A GODDAMN HERO TO US !!! Fri, 05 Mar 2010 08:10:51 +0000 http://leestranahan.com/?p=581#comment-1034 I have been waiting to hear someone say this for a long time - so have the vast majority of my colleges. I also heard your great interview on fxpodcast http://media.fxguide.com/fxpodcast/fxg-100211-letter_to_JC.mp3 I would love to donate to somekind of awareness campaign for this subject and especially liked the oscar idea. Thanks so much ! I have been waiting to hear someone say this for a long time – so have the vast majority of my colleges. I also heard your great interview on fxpodcast

http://media.fxguide.com/fxpodcast/fxg-100211-letter_to_JC.mp3

I would love to donate to somekind of awareness campaign for this subject and especially liked the oscar idea.

Thanks so much !

]]> By: Rob http://leestranahan.com/?p=581&cpage=1#comment-1022 Rob Tue, 02 Mar 2010 00:04:56 +0000 http://leestranahan.com/?p=581#comment-1022 Maybe I don’t understand the problem … or maybe I do. As an engineer for the past 30 years, I’ve worked as an salaried employee, an hourly contractor, a fixed price project consultant and ran my own small business. In my early years as a salaried worker the companies expected long work hours when there was a crisis. Eventually I realized that some of those companies made sure there was always a crisis. I began to feel abused so what did I do? Did I join a union? Did I organize the other engineers and demand better working hours? No. I just found another job … or created one … and it usually paid better. Nobody can abuse me without my cooperation. So that’s the part I just don’t understand. If you’re being abused, quit. Want to help your fellow abused workers, quit. If the company doesn’t change it’s ways then it will be unable to hire good people. In fact that happen in a company I had to leave. It got such a bad reputation they couldn’t hire anyone local. They had to bring people in from other states, who often left after the minimum time to avoid paying back the moving allowance. The problem I have with organizing and unions is they want to tell you what’s right and what’s wrong. I think I should be able to decide that for myself. I do agree that a guild might be useful. The guild could keep a list of the companies that are okay to work for and those that fall short. As far as the work going out of the USA, I’m in favor of free markets. Some years ago I worked for Motorola. They outsourced my job to a company in India. It took me eight months to train my replacements. Some in the company said it was unpatriotic for Motorola to send the work out of the country. I ask if it was unpatriotic for an Indian citizen to buy Motorola products? I think Us movies bring in a lot of revenue from foreign markets. Why shouldn’t they be eligible to work on those same movies? (Not that anyone here said that they shouldn’t. I’m just anticipating based on what I’ve heard in other venues.) You could always start your own studio and show the world how to treat those workers. Lead by example. Many of the costs have come down. There are new ways to distribute media. (Light a candle instead of cursing the dark.) Yes, I realize this would be very hard … and I admit it’s unlikely that I have what it takes to do it. But if you do, give me a call. If you treat me right I’d work for you Peace, Rob:-] “Be the change you want to see in the world.” Gandhi Maybe I don’t understand the problem … or maybe I do.

As an engineer for the past 30 years, I’ve worked as an salaried employee, an hourly contractor, a fixed price project consultant and ran my own small business. In my early years as a salaried worker the companies expected long work hours when there was a crisis. Eventually I realized that some of those companies made sure there was always a crisis.

I began to feel abused so what did I do? Did I join a union? Did I organize the other engineers and demand better working hours? No. I just found another job … or created one … and it usually paid better.

Nobody can abuse me without my cooperation. So that’s the part I just don’t understand. If you’re being abused, quit. Want to help your fellow abused workers, quit. If the company doesn’t change it’s ways then it will be unable to hire good people.

In fact that happen in a company I had to leave. It got such a bad reputation they couldn’t hire anyone local. They had to bring people in from other states, who often left after the minimum time to avoid paying back the moving allowance.

The problem I have with organizing and unions is they want to tell you what’s right and what’s wrong. I think I should be able to decide that for myself. I do agree that a guild might be useful. The guild could keep a list of the companies that are okay to work for and those that fall short.

As far as the work going out of the USA, I’m in favor of free markets. Some years ago I worked for Motorola. They outsourced my job to a company in India. It took me eight months to train my replacements.

Some in the company said it was unpatriotic for Motorola to send the work out of the country. I ask if it was unpatriotic for an Indian citizen to buy Motorola products?

I think Us movies bring in a lot of revenue from foreign markets. Why shouldn’t they be eligible to work on those same movies? (Not that anyone here said that they shouldn’t. I’m just anticipating based on what I’ve heard in other venues.)

You could always start your own studio and show the world how to treat those workers. Lead by example. Many of the costs have come down. There are new ways to distribute media. (Light a candle instead of cursing the dark.)

Yes, I realize this would be very hard … and I admit it’s unlikely that I have what it takes to do it. But if you do, give me a call. If you treat me right I’d work for you

Peace,

Rob:-]

“Be the change you want to see in the world.” Gandhi

]]> By: A seasoned veteran of vfx http://leestranahan.com/?p=581&cpage=1#comment-1011 A seasoned veteran of vfx Thu, 25 Feb 2010 10:39:45 +0000 http://leestranahan.com/?p=581#comment-1011 In the past we were paid and treated well but currently the vfx houses that awarded us those standards are being compromised and in turn we are too. That is the issue. It is the current movement, being devalued, not a cry of inequality, though industry standard wise there is some inequality involved, yes But Vfx houses that took great care of how they treated and respected their artists are being compromised. This in turn is lowering the value of the artist at a time when vfx is the hw gold mine. The concern is in the current standard it is the future standard being set by the major studios. It's not what you are receiving today rather what is being setup to take from you tomorrow. Vfx houses shouldn't have to struggle as they prove to be the most valuable resource. I honestly have benefitted from vfx houses good will and was graciously rewarded as an artists and I have personally witnessed a forced dissolving of their ability to provide incentives in the name of appreciation, in shame and yes I have seen shame on their faces. These houses being compromised want to do right by artists by their chosen standard, but are compromised by the strangle hold the major studios have on them. It is obscene that their contributions still leave them unable to retain their dignity and the staff they find most valuable. The artists fight , coincides with them at least from my perspective at this point. The major studios providing the access to the work do so cause they are dependent on its value and profitability and presently are exploiting it. I have been a valued and respected artist and even with heavy pressure from artist management to retain me, was still let go to bring in cheaper labor only to be called back to salvage the debacle, a scenario my peers, my superiors and artist management all attempted to thwart. This all played out within a very respectable top brow company where I was valued respected and highly regarded as a loss among peers management and superiors alike. Merely to meet an unrealistic price in to enable the vfx studio to survive a false crisis set up by the majors. Yes you have heard it before and you think I am exaggerating and that is fine. But the point isn't whoa is me, the point is even with all the efforts and all the respect and all the accomplishment the outcome came down to the vfx studio being unable to retain the ability to proceed with what they deemed a successful venture at least within retaining artists they perceived at the time valuable and even though once they could bring them back after the compromise the trend remains, and the trend, though it may fail, implies a direction for all us and a direction we need to have a part in determining. Because this trend, if it catches, will catch up to you too. Point being it isn't the vfx house that is to blame it is the imaginary concept that the price is to high for vfx. It is exploitation that not only cheats the artist but the vfx studio. It is due to the lack of voice and power that a talented and productive work force within a solid proven studio is missing. The concept of unionizing (organized labor) also empowers the vfx studio. It empowers them to say this is the standard of the talent pool and we have to meet that. We also being a unionized house have to retain this work force and need to raise our rate to $x to be available to you in the near future. One of the biggest problems is studios have to under bid to the point of paying for the labor to complete any given project. This as well leaves them begging and powerless. An artist standard provides a vfx a standard as well. This is all good for us we are valuable. In the past we were paid and treated well but currently the vfx houses that awarded us those standards are being compromised and in turn we are too.
That is the issue. It is the current movement, being devalued, not a cry of inequality, though industry standard wise there is some inequality involved, yes
But Vfx houses that took great care of how they treated and respected their artists are being compromised. This in turn is lowering the value of the artist at a time when vfx is the hw gold mine.
The concern is in the current standard it is the future standard being set by the major studios. It’s not what you are receiving today rather what is being setup to take from you tomorrow. Vfx houses shouldn’t have to struggle as they prove to be the most valuable resource.
I honestly have benefitted from vfx houses good will and was graciously rewarded as an artists and I have personally witnessed a forced dissolving of their ability to provide incentives in the name of appreciation, in shame and yes I have seen shame on their faces. These houses being compromised want to do right by artists by their chosen standard, but are compromised by the strangle hold the major studios have on them.
It is obscene that their contributions still leave them unable to retain their dignity and the staff they find most valuable.
The artists fight , coincides with them at least from my perspective at this point. The major studios providing the access to the work do so cause they are dependent on its value and profitability and presently are exploiting it.
I have been a valued and respected artist and even with heavy pressure from artist management to retain me, was still let go to bring in cheaper labor only to be called back to salvage the debacle, a scenario my peers, my superiors and artist management all attempted to thwart.
This all played out within a very respectable top brow company where I was valued respected and highly regarded as a loss among peers management and superiors alike. Merely to meet an unrealistic price in to enable the vfx studio to survive a false crisis set up by the majors.
Yes you have heard it before and you think I am exaggerating and that is fine. But the point isn’t whoa is me, the point is even with all the efforts and all the respect and all the accomplishment the outcome came down to the vfx studio being unable to retain the ability to proceed with what they deemed a successful venture at least within retaining artists they perceived at the time valuable and even though once they could bring them back after the compromise the trend remains, and the trend, though it may fail, implies a direction for all us and a direction we need to have a part in determining. Because this trend, if it catches, will catch up to you too.
Point being it isn’t the vfx house that is to blame it is the imaginary concept that the price is to high for vfx.
It is exploitation that not only cheats the artist but the vfx studio. It is due to the lack of voice and power that a talented and productive work force within a solid proven studio is missing.
The concept of unionizing (organized labor) also empowers the vfx studio. It empowers them to say this is the standard of the talent pool and we have to meet that. We also being a unionized house have to retain this work force and need to raise our rate to $x to be available to you in the near future.
One of the biggest problems is studios have to under bid to the point of paying for the labor to complete any given project. This as well leaves them begging and powerless.
An artist standard provides a vfx a standard as well.
This is all good for us we are valuable.

]]> By: season vet http://leestranahan.com/?p=581&cpage=1#comment-1010 season vet Thu, 25 Feb 2010 07:04:10 +0000 http://leestranahan.com/?p=581#comment-1010 Kristen Miller, In regards to your statements, in particular on entitlement and unions. There are a couple of points to consider. 1. nothing in Lee's letter or the following comments are about entitlement or whinning. 2. It has been abundantly clarified everyone is grateful to be a part of this industry. However as you pointed out times are changing. These changes have opened the floor to a valid and necessary discussion. 3. Unions: This is a large and convoluted topic and within your ideology there is some validity. However there is a larger picture. If we do some deeper research of their origin in this country we see a lot more contribution and value. 4. Unions (organized labor) in the U.S. formed shortly after the Great Depression (gd). This development along with government policy created for the first time in the U.S. a middle class. There was not a middle class predating this event. Previously there was only 2 classes the top 1% and the lower class. There was complete income inequality and very few equal rights. Unions formed out of everyday working people that were being exploited (not unlike china or other countries we today deem unethical towards working people). These workers organized, voted on their common direction and today referred to as unions still determine the unions directions by vote for the most part. Democracy. This organization (union) formed the middle class, other things had a part, but by and large organized labor had the larger effect. Soon capitalism became more valuable and plausible. Out of this came our current standard of living, spoils, and way of life. Not only that but the rising class created demand and consumption on unprecedented levels, or possibly "entitlement". Consumption and demand created industry and development only thru the purchasing power of a middle class. It created our world today and it is unquestionable to me at least it was only possible thru the middle class standard, consumption and ability to rise to a level of recognizable value. Had this not developed we would in fact be a third world nation, with a populace majority that would still remain voiceless. 5. So, would you agree MegaStudios have the right to determine the value or what they are willing to pay for a vfx shot? If so are you saying that the vfx studio doesn't have the right in determining said shots value? If that is the case is this a free market or society? If you agree that vfx studios should have a say in their products value, then please explain why shouldn't the artist that is responsible for said products conception and completion have a say in their product (efforts, contribution) value. It seems and I hate when people thru terms like this around, but communist to say you have a job we provided and you gave up your voice by accepting the money so take what we determine you are worth, this is a "gift". This discussion isn't merely about the artist it is also about the vfx studios being undermined, under valued and exploited. Their contributions as well as are becoming exceedingly lucrative and I don't understand why all parties should have to cut costs at a time when our value is rising the MegaStudios to unprecedented levels of profit, even by their own admission. Please other then the logic that we shouldn't discuss this cause it is a "gift" we receive for our hard earned abilities and talents that the entity at the top has blessed us by capitalizing and profiting on them, should we not discuss a standard for our value? It makes no sense to me why we should except forfeiting our right to determine our value. Especially when it appears artists and vfx houses are being told we have too. When were my rights as a businessmen stripped from me? And when were my peers and industries right stripped as well. Kristen Miller,

In regards to your statements, in particular on entitlement and unions. There are a couple of points to consider.

1. nothing in Lee’s letter or the following comments are about entitlement or whinning.
2. It has been abundantly clarified everyone is grateful to be a part of this industry. However as you pointed out times are changing. These changes have opened the floor to a valid and necessary discussion.
3. Unions: This is a large and convoluted topic and within your ideology there is some validity. However there is a larger picture. If we do some deeper research of their origin in this country we see a lot more contribution and value.
4. Unions (organized labor) in the U.S. formed shortly after the Great Depression (gd). This development along with government policy created for the first time in the U.S. a middle class. There was not a middle class predating this event. Previously there was only 2 classes the top 1% and the lower class. There was complete income inequality and very few equal rights.
Unions formed out of everyday working people that were being exploited (not unlike china or other countries we today deem unethical towards working people). These workers organized, voted on their common direction and today referred to as unions still determine the unions directions by vote for the most part. Democracy.
This organization (union) formed the middle class, other things had a part, but by and large organized labor had the larger effect.
Soon capitalism became more valuable and plausible. Out of this came our current standard of living, spoils, and way of life. Not only that but the rising class created demand and consumption on unprecedented levels, or possibly “entitlement”. Consumption and demand created industry and development only thru the purchasing power of a middle class. It created our world today and it is unquestionable to me at least it was only possible thru the middle class standard, consumption and ability to rise to a level of recognizable value.
Had this not developed we would in fact be a third world nation, with a populace majority that would still remain voiceless.
5. So, would you agree MegaStudios have the right to determine the value or what they are willing to pay for a vfx shot?
If so are you saying that the vfx studio doesn’t have the right in determining said shots value?
If that is the case is this a free market or society?
If you agree that vfx studios should have a say in their products value, then please explain why shouldn’t the artist that is responsible for said products conception and completion have a say in their product (efforts, contribution) value. It seems and I hate when people thru terms like this around, but communist to say you have a job we provided and you gave up your voice by accepting the money so take what we determine you are worth, this is a “gift”.
This discussion isn’t merely about the artist it is also about the vfx studios being undermined, under valued and exploited. Their contributions as well as are becoming exceedingly lucrative and I don’t understand why all parties should have to cut costs at a time when our value is rising the MegaStudios to unprecedented levels of profit, even by their own admission.
Please other then the logic that we shouldn’t discuss this cause it is a “gift” we receive for our hard earned abilities and talents that the entity at the top has blessed us by capitalizing and profiting on them, should we not discuss a standard for our value?
It makes no sense to me why we should except forfeiting our right to determine our value. Especially when it appears artists and vfx houses are being told we have too.
When were my rights as a businessmen stripped from me? And when were my peers and industries right stripped as well.

]]> By: kicker http://leestranahan.com/?p=581&cpage=1#comment-1002 kicker Mon, 22 Feb 2010 20:10:46 +0000 http://leestranahan.com/?p=581#comment-1002 Kristen Miller Most of the TDs work harder then anyone I know. Those who argue against unions never direct their rants about hard work and responsibility upward, only downward. Without heading too far into politics, I'm sure you believe the current economy is due to lazy lower and middle class people not paying mortgages, and in know way is the fault of the banking industry dealing in high risk activities and capitalizing on record profits that sacrificed long term security for short term windfalls. Unions form when industries systematically take advantage of their workforce. Unions exist in every other segment of movie production. Why? Because those segments all had a history of being taken for granted and had to fight collectively for a fair work environment and fair compensation. The exact same principles apply to the FX industry. Work is heading over seas because large corporations can reap larger profits, its as simple as that. The shops in the FX industry that do happen to be unionized, Dreamworks, Walt Disney Feature Anim, and more recently, ImageMoversDigital provide a greater standard of living for their employees. Coincidence? I suppose you were in favor of the turn of the century practices of employees children to work in manufacturing. Modern children are so lazy it makes me sick, they should get their butts to work mining that coal and welding those bumpers. Large corporations could really turn profits then! Kristen Miller

Most of the TDs work harder then anyone I know. Those who argue against unions never direct their rants about hard work and responsibility upward, only downward. Without heading too far into politics, I’m sure you believe the current economy is due to lazy lower and middle class people not paying mortgages, and in know way is the fault of the banking industry dealing in high risk activities and capitalizing on record profits that sacrificed long term security for short term windfalls. Unions form when industries systematically take advantage of their workforce. Unions exist in every other segment of movie production. Why? Because those segments all had a history of being taken for granted and had to fight collectively for a fair work environment and fair compensation. The exact same principles apply to the FX industry. Work is heading over seas because large corporations can reap larger profits, its as simple as that. The shops in the FX industry that do happen to be unionized, Dreamworks, Walt Disney Feature Anim, and more recently, ImageMoversDigital provide a greater standard of living for their employees. Coincidence? I suppose you were in favor of the turn of the century practices of employees children to work in manufacturing. Modern children are so lazy it makes me sick, they should get their butts to work mining that coal and welding those bumpers. Large corporations could really turn profits then!

]]> By: Kristen Miller http://leestranahan.com/?p=581&cpage=1#comment-991 Kristen Miller Fri, 19 Feb 2010 16:39:28 +0000 http://leestranahan.com/?p=581#comment-991 the world is changing my dears. the ideology of 'entitlement' is bringing down this country, and is dragging the economy along with it. Did you know that before the restructuring, that 89% of the profit from every car sold by the big three was going to health care and pensions? Poured down a bottomless well so drug companies so old guys can still get it up while eating their super deluxe nachos without heartburn. When will you all learn - no one deserves anything, EVER. Everything is a gift. You would hope that the people you work for would reward you fairly, but if they don't, you leave - it is that simple. People who don't do their job well shouldn't be rewarded the same as those that work hard and try their best - that's the inequality of your sacred unions. Legacy doesn't mean anything - quality of work is paramount. People need to get off their lazy American butts and realize WE are responsible for jobs being sent to China or India. Why do big companies outsource? Because American consumers won't pay for quality products. Everybody wants everything cheap and now, and we are reaping the 'benefits' of that. So, you all keep bitching and crying to your mommy about how your 'under appreciated' and I'm going to get to work. the world is changing my dears. the ideology of ‘entitlement’ is bringing down this country, and is dragging the economy along with it. Did you know that before the restructuring, that 89% of the profit from every car sold by the big three was going to health care and pensions? Poured down a bottomless well so drug companies so old guys can still get it up while eating their super deluxe nachos without heartburn. When will you all learn – no one deserves anything, EVER. Everything is a gift. You would hope that the people you work for would reward you fairly, but if they don’t, you leave – it is that simple. People who don’t do their job well shouldn’t be rewarded the same as those that work hard and try their best – that’s the inequality of your sacred unions. Legacy doesn’t mean anything – quality of work is paramount. People need to get off their lazy American butts and realize WE are responsible for jobs being sent to China or India. Why do big companies outsource? Because American consumers won’t pay for quality products. Everybody wants everything cheap and now, and we are reaping the ‘benefits’ of that.

So, you all keep bitching and crying to your mommy about how your ‘under appreciated’ and I’m going to get to work.

]]> By: A seasoned veteran of vfx http://leestranahan.com/?p=581&cpage=1#comment-972 A seasoned veteran of vfx Sun, 14 Feb 2010 22:05:03 +0000 http://leestranahan.com/?p=581#comment-972 Amen Matt Amen. Just cause you like your job doesn't mean that your work should be undervalued. The vfx platform is the most lucrative platform in film for the big studios. Many of us were along for the ride of inventing this craft and it's value determines ours. If vfx is the pot of gold then the artist's responsible do deserve their contributions being compensated fairly and every employee in a free society has the right to determine and negotiation that value. There is no reason why vfx houses and artists should sit idly by while studios rack in money and refuse spread the wealth. Absolutely none. Amen Matt Amen.
Just cause you like your job doesn’t mean that your work should be undervalued. The vfx platform is the most lucrative platform in film for the big studios. Many of us were along for the ride of inventing this craft and it’s value determines ours. If vfx is the pot of gold then the artist’s responsible do deserve their contributions being compensated fairly and every employee in a free society has the right to determine and negotiation that value. There is no reason why vfx houses and artists should sit idly by while studios rack in money and refuse spread the wealth. Absolutely none.

]]> By: Matt Wallin http://leestranahan.com/?p=581&cpage=1#comment-966 Matt Wallin Sat, 13 Feb 2010 13:26:47 +0000 http://leestranahan.com/?p=581#comment-966 Thanks for writing this. I have to say, some of the comments on here are pretty sad. Its strange to hear people place such little value on their own labor. Your labor is a finite commodity and you only have so much to give over the course of your life. Don't give it away for free to huge corporations that are raking in massive profits. Know your rights and stand up for yourself. There's nothing wrong with loving working in vfx and wanting to have some job security and decent working conditions. I agree with Frank that it would be great if the VES would get involved in some level on these issues. The VES awards are coming up this month and I hope a few people choose to take time to mention the labor issues and the desperate state of "the business". Thanks for writing this. I have to say, some of the comments on here are pretty sad. Its strange to hear people place such little value on their own labor. Your labor is a finite commodity and you only have so much to give over the course of your life. Don’t give it away for free to huge corporations that are raking in massive profits. Know your rights and stand up for yourself. There’s nothing wrong with loving working in vfx and wanting to have some job security and decent working conditions. I agree with Frank that it would be great if the VES would get involved in some level on these issues. The VES awards are coming up this month and I hope a few people choose to take time to mention the labor issues and the desperate state of “the business”.

]]> By: Nuno http://leestranahan.com/?p=581&cpage=1#comment-961 Nuno Thu, 11 Feb 2010 12:47:40 +0000 http://leestranahan.com/?p=581#comment-961 So smart criticising his fellow workers and doesn't even know how to spell veteran properly. I've known a few 10 year "vetarans" in the CG industry that were good talking out of their arses, but today I've seen the best of them all. So smart criticising his fellow workers and doesn’t even know how to spell veteran properly.
I’ve known a few 10 year “vetarans” in the CG industry that were good talking out of their arses, but today I’ve seen the best of them all.

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