What Are the Working Conditions Like for the 'Spider-Verse' Animators?
Animation has always been a heavily underappreciated form of storytelling. Despite recent films bringing animation into the spotlight for modern audiences, the industry tends to undervalue the production process of animation compared to live-action, resulting in lower pay for animation writers. Animators worldwide often face being underpaid, overworked, and underappreciated.
According to Vulture, the crew behind Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse encountered challenging and relentless working conditions during the production of the sequel to Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. Some artists even mentioned that over 100 people left the project due to the difficult circumstances they faced.
The movie has been highly successful, grossing $503.4 million globally (as per Box Office Mojo) and receiving acclaim for its animation and visuals. Despite this, many artists felt that the work they contributed was not entirely their own due to heavy revisions and changes imposed during production.
Challenging Working Conditions
These harsh working conditions were reportedly exacerbated by writer and producer Phil Lord's insistence on personally approving every scene in the 140-minute film. While executive vice president Michelle Grady of Sony Pictures Imageworks acknowledged the heavy revisions, she emphasized that this process is common in filmmaking.
According to Animator Island, similar to the challenges faced by VFX artists working for Marvel, animators on this project also endured time constraints and long hours, leading to the departure of 100 animators from the production.
A Call for Fair Treatment
These revelations come at a time when the Writers Guild of America (WGA) is in the eighth week of a strike, and negotiations between SAG-AFTRA and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers are ongoing. The treatment of creatives in the industry is a growing concern, highlighting the need for fair compensation and better working conditions.
While fair pay may not solve all issues related to grueling working conditions, it is a crucial step towards ensuring the well-being of creatives across the industry.
Share Your Thoughts
What are your thoughts on the working conditions depicted in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse? Share your opinions in the comments section.
Source: Vulture
