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It is hard to imagine the latest blockbusters without VFX, or video effects; dramas without epic explosions and Sci-Fi’s without their unearthly graphics. In fact, it would be fair to call it impossible to imagine these movies, or at least the creation of them, without after editing effects. Without VFX, these movies would be little more than unrealised fantasies.

This would lead one to believe that such an important, and seemingly thriving industry, as VFX would be supported. However, this is far from the case. Too often animators work tirelessly overtime (often 70 hours per week) without compensation or even fair pay for contractual hours.

This is caused by the time consuming, intricate, and resource heavy nature of VFX editing, which pushes production costs higher and higher, until directors are forced to cut back on the payment of the VFX workers. On even the highest grossing movies, VFX studios can be paid so little that they are forced to shut down, without paying their ex-employees anything at all.

Although it is easy to think of this inequality as occurring mainly in Hollywood and the U.S.A., the problem arises in Australia too. Business incentives from the U.S. government to relocate VFX bases to remote areas puts Australia directly in a position of interest. Geographical isolation from the hub of media coverage in the U.S., and a relatively tiny film industry (contributing to just 8% of international box office sales) creates a lack of public awareness. This just allows the exploitation of VFX workers to continue.

Motto

Taken from the Unions Australia website (link)

PARADISE LOST AND DIGITAL DOMAIN SYDNEY

Until recently, the Australian based production of the VFX heavy blockbuster 'Paradise Lost', accompanied by a Sydney based Digital Domain ('Titanic', 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo', 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory'-2005), was highly anticipated. That was, until a budget agreement between the film makers and Legendary Pictures could not be decided on, AU$120 million being the suggested value. The cost of the VFX was too high for Legendary Pictures, but the budget was not realistic in sustaining the movies production. All plans were subsequently abandoned.

It is a great loss the the Australian VFX industry, as well as the Australian economy. 'Paradise Lost' was expected to create a total of 1300 jobs, and spend an approximate AU$88 million in production- creating lively business for established Australian companies. The permanent opening of Digital Domain in Sydney (which collapsed with 'Paradise Lost') would have been a significant advancement in Australian VFX, creating future jobs in future films, and a clear direction for aspiring VFX artists.

However, Legendary Pictures' absolute reluctance to adapt to the high costs of VFX suggests that the opening of Digital Domain in Sydney would not have been a stable one, and would only have created more opportunity for the exploitation of VFX workers. There needs to be an active reform in the international and Australian film industry before VFX can truly thrive in Australia.

LIFE OF PI

Believe it or not, ‘Life of Pi’ is a prime example of the exploitation of VFX workers- and a very high profile one at that. After creating the sky, the ocean and the tiger- 80% of the film, Rhythm and Hues, the VFX house, was forced to file for chapter 11 bankruptcy and lay off 250 workers without pay.

Worldwide, ‘Life of Pi’ has so far grossed AU$581 992 650, on a budget of AU$115 451 280.

Surely within this huge budget and profit, there was room to pay Rhythm and Hues enough to keep the business operating.

However, the injustice did not end there. As the 2013 Oscars took place, just outside was a protest of over 400 strong, sparked by Rhythm and Hues’ situation. The peaceful protest called for fair trade VFX, claiming they wanted ‘a piece of the pi too’.

Somehow, not one Oscars related camera captured the protest, and home viewers remained oblivious. It was left up to social media to make the situation known.

When ‘Life of Pi’ went on to win best visual effects that same night, the recipients attempted an acknowledgement of the extreme effort of Rhythm and Hues, and their current financial problems. This would have at least been a step towards the right direction, except they were cut off. First by the theme song of jaws in rising volume and intensity, and then, after they persisted with their speech, mid-sentence by their microphones being turned off (see 1:19 in the video below).

Aang Lee’s thanking of his production team, right down to the company who manufactured the swimming pool in which the movie was actually set, yet failure to speak of Rhythm and Hues, did not quell the rising discordance of the VFX community.

If even movies as successful as ‘Life of Pi’ fail to pay their VFX artists fairly, it must be acknowledged that there is a serious problem within the film and VFX industries, including within Australia.

#vfx

The green screen represents what 90% of movies would look like without VFX. This is the process of Chroma keying, where what the camera actually captures is a solid green (or sometimes blue) colour. The green areas can then be replaced by the later animated visuals, rendering the final product a combination of reality, and predominantly, illusion.

It is quite common for a VFX company to lose money from taking on a commission. For example, after Digital Domain finished working on the $2 billion grossing Titanic, the company filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy, selling $15 million worth of assets, and had to be provided with a further $20 million from senior bondholders to keep the company afloat.

This is because companies underbid each other just to continue the work flow, and are especially vulnerable to exploitation from directors, producers and film companies.

At the same time, governments are in competition with each other to win over directors with subsidies- Australia offering as much as a %30 rebate on VFX heavy movies shot in the country. It has to be asked why, when such a large sum is being dedicated to VFX, its workers are still being fired without pay after working on the film.

#FACTS AND STATISTICS

#vfx #green screen

The Catholic position on unemployment is that it is more than just a statistic. According to the Jesuit Social Research Institute,

“Unemployment undermines a just society since work is at the heart of the social question”.

This prompts Catholics to have a proactive approach to unemployment, resulting in the formation of organisations such as the Australian Catholic Council for Employment Regulations.

The ACCER is an incredibly active and influential organisation in dealing with employment inequality, and one that could have a huge impact on the treatment of VFX artists. Most recently- 2012, the ACCER successfully contested a bill proposed by Australian Senator Xenophon that would essentially reduce the rights and wages of already underpaid workers of small businesses. The bill would terminate a ‘minimum wage’ policy. The ACCER’s four main objections to this bill were;

“1) The Bill fails to recognise the detrimental impact of unsocial working hours. 2) The Bill proposes unfairness and discrimination. 3) The rationale of the Bill is not supported by evidence or economic analysis. 4) The Bill proposes a morally unacceptable means of promoting employment opportunities.”

-The Australian Catholic Council for Employment Regulation; http://accer.asn.au/

All of these objections are important principles relevant to the mistreatment of VFX artists- their excessive working hours, the injustice of disproportionate wage distribution to headline actors, and the promotion of underpaid jobs that were intended to be sustainable careers. ACCER could have an unprecedented impact on Australian public opinion, and the actions undertaken by the government.

4 "Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty."

James 5:4

New International Version (NIV)

#james 5:4

“The value of freedom, as an expression of each unique human person; is respected when every member of society is permitted to fulfil their personal vocation, to seek the truth and profess their religious, cultural and political ideas; to choose their state of life, and, as far as possible, their line of work; to pursue initiatives of an economic, social and political nature”

- CDSC 200

The under and non-payment of talented, qualified and entitled VFX artists will economically prevent people from choosing their career, and following their inspiration and interest. This reduces their freedom of expression, from communicating to the world their individual perspective of current issues and morals. This attacks their freedom of thought and being, and does not respect their dignity as a human being.

“Far from being achieved in total self-sufficiency and the absence of relationships, freedom only truly exists where the reciprocal bonds, governed by truth and justice, link people to one another…”

-CDSC 199

Everyone must actively work for the equal rights of those in the film industry, and uphold these bonds once established. The producer must acknowledge the individual needs of their employees, the director must acknowledge their tireless work, the actors and actresses must be more accommodating in the redistribution of wages. The media must cover the injustice, the public must volley for change, and the government must provide it. The VFX workers themselves must make the effort for change, and appreciate the efforts of all those around them. This is what is required to establish a free society.

“It is necessary to consider every neighbour without exception as another self, taking into account the first of all their life and the means necessary for living it with dignity. Every political, economic, social, scientific and cultural programme must be inspired by the awareness of the primacy of each human being over society”

-CDSC 132

Greed should not govern the distribution of wages nor credit, considering VFX is a largely unrecognised stage of film production. Treating another as you would yourself to live with dignity as a human being is necessary for a just and equal society. There must be an acknowledgement of the needs of each individual person, including the VFX artist, instead of regarding them as a number within a budget.

#catholic social justice teachings

19 Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies will have their fill of poverty.

Proverbs 28:19

New International Version (NIV)

(Referring to those who work hard and tirelessly not the literal interpretation of agricultural careers)

#Catholic #Bible #Proverbs #28:19 #Scriptural References

The most obvious future direction would be to form an international union for VFX workers. Because of the internationally collaborative nature of the film industry, it is important that all Australian artists are protected even when working for global companies. A union would set out specific rules and guidelines that would have to be abided by all filming directors and companies. It would give a voice to even the most obscure animator, especially since VFX happens behind the scenes, and is largely anonymous in the face of celebrities and fans.

The education of the Australian public is another important frontier. While this social injustice is largely unknown, the perpetrators- directors, producers and budget managers, go ahead without scrutiny. To fix this issue of underpayment, unemployment and poverty within the VFX industry, it must first be confronted. The Australian government pays large subsidies to film companies as incentive to work in Australia, and the regulation of distribution of these funds could reduce the lack of wages paid to animators and artists. Of course, pressure from the general Australian public is imperative for any action to be taken.

A future direction regarding the Australian Catholic Church could be support groups for those managing unemployment and underpayment. The principle of pastoral care within modern settings, such as support clinics and centres, could help those emotionally as they suffer with feelings of injustice surrounding their circumstances.

#vfx #catholic #australian catholic church #future direction #vfx australia

"Thou shalt not steal"

The 8th Commandment- Exodus, 20:15

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