The VFX Freelancers Union of the United States represents a collective of skilled VFX freelance artists engaged in the post-production domain. Our vital role in the augmentation of cinematic productions often positions us as the uncelebrated architects behind the curtain of Hollywood's creations. The importance of Visual Effects in the most successful projects in the industry highlights how crucial we are. However, it's unfortunate that our contributions haven't received the recognition they deserve.

We're strongly committed to our work, investing a lot of time and effort to enhance cinematic experiences with our artistic skills. Yet, even with this unwavering dedication, we often find ourselves unappreciated, which is an ongoing issue that needs to be addressed.

Around the world, VFX artists deal with low pay and modest starting salaries. Even though we're essential to the creative work and money-making in the industry, we face problems like not having a voice and the threat of A.I. and outsourcing taking our jobs. Even the companies we work with, which make big contributions, struggle financially. It's a problem when there's not enough money set aside for visual effects in big projects. We strongly believe that we should be paid fairly for what we bring to the table, especially considering that without us, the success of movies could be seriously affected.

It's important to highlight that the majority of VFX artists receive lower compensation compared to other departments involved in the filmmaking process. Adding to the challenge, they often lack adequate benefits or job security as freelancers. Many VFX and post-production professionals operate outside the traditional W2 or staff employment structure. They're typically hired for specific projects or compensated on a daily basis for their work. Moreover, freelance VFX artists lack the assurance of stable and consistent income. Often, they receive just a day's notice for extensions or terminations. As living expenses increase, the pay for post-production artists remains static or sometimes even diminishes.

Currently, we lack effective ways to protect our professional interests and ensure our future.

Beyond just keeping our jobs, those of us who work on post-production effects need to stand up for ourselves and earn the respect we deserve from our colleagues in other departments. Visual effects are a crucial part of movies and TV shows, as seen in famous works like Iron Man, Avengers, Avatar, Frozen, Fast and the Furious, Titanic, and even Barbie. These examples show just how important our contributions are. But sometimes, people in positions of authority don't acknowledge our work properly, undermining our impact. We spend months investing a lot of time and effort to enhance these projects, disproving any misunderstandings. It's up to us to change this perspective and ensure we're treated fairly.

The turbulent events of the 2023 Strikes in organizations like the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) had serious consequences for many post-production professionals who lost their jobs, even their homes. Unfortunately, lacking the support of a union, we were left without any means to access assistance or emergency aid to navigate through these difficulties. Our predicament was disregarded as mere collateral damage, failing to acknowledge our agency and aspirations. This status quo is unsustainable; I aspire to attain greater control over my career path, continue engaging in work that deeply resonates with me, and simultaneously command the respect that is rightfully mine within this industry.

Coming together is incredibly important. Let's join forces and express our need for respect that matches the strong commitment we have. Safeguarding our careers and future opportunities requires careful attention. As we work to strengthen our shared path ahead, I firmly invite you to gather under our common cause, amplifying our voices as a unified group.