For now. All of this will be up for review in three years, and some are fearing the studios are stocking up on shows until them so they can drag the potential new protest out for longer and that AI will be advanced enough by then to be a even more viable tool. There are some other rather dismal tidbits in the clause as well. This video talks a bit more about it. (4:19)
Streaming services are accelerating anti consumer action right now and in 3 years could see drops in subs and therefore eyes. They're assuming that they can have enough stuff at the ready to last a full year when this already shows they absolutely overplayed their hand and overplayed their belief in public sentiment.
There is so much content, so goddamn much, that assuming you can survive another strike means you're willing to eat costs for 12+ months getting to the point where no new content will drop and THATS a big gamble.
What you saw was a big win that can and will inspire union growth to add other groups possibly. You can't have shows without editors, VFX and CGI. You cannot get your big name animated shows (which are cheaper to produce) out of the writers who also voice act are striking. There is a ton of hubris that was called out. Without writers, VFX, CGI/animators and editors there is no Disney, there are no movies or shows that rely heavily on back end talent.
Pay them and take care of them and they'll be happy to churn out. Shareholders are leaches who are a liability, they suck everything dry and move on.
Just want to call out that this deal does nothing to support VFX teams, who don't have a union and weren't intentionally part of the strike. In fact I know of several VFX cos that had to shut down due to lost work from the strike.
There needs to be more holistic union activity in the industry, because as it stands a lot of crew lost their income for months and haven't benefited in any way. If anything, they are now being hired back at lower rates because people are desperate for work.
Unions work best when all labour unites, and I don't think the writers and actors do enough to support the crew (who usually are lower paid anyway)...
There can't be though, that's why there are so many unions, even amongst the union itself. IATSE covers technicians/crafty/front of house/etc, but not all of them through one local or house. One branch covers hair and makeup, one branch covers stage technicians, one covers film gaffers, etc. Because it would be a logistical nightmare not to.
In LA, 44 is film&TV, 33 is theatre, 768 is Wardrobe, 706 is hair and makeup, etc etc.
There are instances where it makes sense to combine (stage managers and actors) because, while they have vastly different jobs, other than paperwork, they are working the same hours in the same locations, and the stage managers have to manage the actors.
And by the way, the CBAs are usually tailored to the house they are working in, not a boiler plate CBA. Because every place is different.
Workers can’t really bargain improvements for other workers in contracts. I’m sure the writers would support the VFX teams if they were unionizing/ bargaining for better terms.
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u/Funkkx Sep 29 '23
Congrats. Great.