May Newsletter - What is happening in VFX?!

The May Social

It was great to see everyone at the May social event. Thank you to everyone who came along! We hope that everyone enjoyed themselves and hope to see you all again at the June Social on the first Wednesday of the month! Keep an eye out for the details coming up on various social media networks soon.

So...what is happening to the VFX industry?

The UK VFX industry has experienced significant growth in recent years with the rise of streaming platforms, but it now faces a number of significant challenges and issues. Here are some of the key issues facing our UK VFX industry:

1. Lack of funding

While the UK government offers tax incentives to support the VFX industry, there is still a shortage of funding for research and development, which can limit the industry's ability to innovate and compete globally.

2. Skills shortages

The UK VFX industry relies heavily on skilled workers (obviously), but there is an ever increasing shortage of talent in key areas such as animation, compositing, and programming. This can make it difficult for companies to attract and retain skilled workers, and can limit their ability to take on new projects.

3. Working conditions

Many workers in the UK VFX industry work long hours under high-pressure conditions, which can lead to burnout and other health issues. Some workers have also reported an increase stagnated/low pay and very poor job security. This issue is one of the most relevant when it comes to those exiting the industry.

4. Competition from overseas

While the UK VFX industry has grown significantly in recent years, it faces increasing competition from other countries such as Canada and Australia, which offer similar tax incentives and lower labor costs. These factors constantly pull projects from country to country.

5. Intellectual property rights

The UK VFX industry relies heavily on intellectual property (IP), but there are concerns that current laws and regulations do not offer enough protection for VFX companies and artists. This can make it difficult for companies to protect their work and can limit their ability to monetize their IP.

Overall, the UK VFX industry faces a number of challenges and issues that need to be addressed in order to ensure its continued growth and success. These include increasing funding for research and development, addressing skills shortages, improving working conditions, and strengthening IP protection.

With the protections of a union, we can all stick together and work on these points to improve the industry. Please consider joining today at www.animvfxunion.com.

But...

What exactly is a union?

A (trade) union, also known as a labor union, is an organisation formed by workers in a particular industry or occupation to protect and promote their common interests.

The primary purpose of a trade union is to negotiate with employers on behalf of its members to improve wages, benefits, and working conditions. Trade unions also advocate for worker's rights, provide support and resources to their members, and engage in collective bargaining with employers to negotiate collective agreements that outline the terms and conditions of employment. Trade unions often play an important role in shaping labor laws and regulations, as well as promoting social justice and equality in the workplace.

What are the benefits of joining a union?

There are several benefits of joining a trade union in the UK, including:

1. Collective bargaining: Trade unions negotiate with employers on behalf of their members to improve wages, benefits, and working conditions. This means that union members have a stronger voice in the workplace and can achieve better outcomes than they would on their own.
2. Legal representation: Trade unions provide legal representation and support to their members in cases of workplace disputes or disciplinary actions. This can be especially important for workers who do not have access to their own legal counsel.
3. Training and development: Trade unions often offer training and development opportunities to their members, including workshops, seminars, and courses on topics such as workplace health and safety, leadership, and communication.
4. Access to advice and support: Union members can access advice and support on a wide range of workplace issues, including pay, benefits, discrimination, harassment, and health and safety.
5. Job security: Unionised workers are often better protected from unfair dismissal or redundancy than non-unionized workers.
6. Social and political campaigning: Trade unions often engage in social and political campaigning on behalf of their members, advocating for policies that benefit working people and promoting social justice and equality.

Overall, joining a trade union can help workers to secure better pay, benefits, and working conditions, as well as provide them with valuable support, advice, and representation in the workplace.

Consider joining the UK visual effects and animation union today.