Animation Guild | We are 839 Digital Magazine
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SPRING 2021 19 D E PA R T M E N T Existing committees also inspire the development of new committees. Regarding the origins of the People of Color Committee (POCC), Co-Chair Roger Oda explains, "Issues involving racial minorities is a part of my life that I am passionate about but have always kept apart from the Guild. Honestly, it was only in the last few years and after seeing activity from our amazing Queer TAG, FAM, and Color Designers committees that I considered it. It would at first seem that equal rights and representation is a natural partner to organized labor, but that is not always the history of our industry. I wanted to be a part of making future generations feel like they have a place here." Each committee works hard on its own goals, such as making sure writers get paid for pitching on pre-existing IP (Writers Committee) and building representation and addressing bathroom situations at studios (Queer TAG). They also get results. Members of the FAM Committee drafted successful resolutions for the last two IATSE District 2 Conventions. And through its 2018 #ColorIsDesign campaign, the Color Designers Committee negotiated the same above-scale rate for color designers as their background paint colleagues on Season 5 of Rick and Morty. With the pandemic, committees have become even more valuable, adapting their methods of support and resources, from the FAM Committee's virtual parent hangouts to Queer TAG's Discord group. While each committee might seem as though it's an entity unto itself, together they meet a greater collective need. As Oda says, "There are complicated discussions to be had if we want to really work through differences and have true solidarity. There are different forces in business and politics, but much of the work is amongst ourselves." All TAG members are encouraged to join committees or start new ones. Learn more about TAG committees and how to start a committee at animationguild.org/committees. CRAFT COMMITTEES Animators Committee: Fosters community, collects data, defines job classifications, and educates to promote the growth of in- house animator job. CG Committee: Identifies and addresses issues affecting CG artists, expands skill sets through training, and builds up a network to provide resources and support to CG artists. Color Designers Committee: Brings recognition and visibility to the craft while also highlighting and addressing issues of pay equity. Designers Committee: Informs, educates, and tracks industry standards while connecting the design community and providing a space for sharing workplace issues and experiences. Storyboard Committee: Facilitates a community of events, resources, and channels of communication to best represent the storyboarding craft in negotiations. Writers Committee: Connects and represents writers while offering online networking, job resources, and advocacy for the enforcement of rules for writers' pay. COMMUNITY COMMITTEES Experienced Workers Committee: Provides support, networking opportunities, and the exploration of best practices for experienced workers for seeking and maintaining employment. Family and Membership Committee (FAM): Fosters community, outreach, advocacy, and member activism while also providing resources for member and family wellness. Memorial Committee: Organizes and hosts the annual Afternoon of Remembrance, honoring individuals in the animation industry who passed away the previous year. People of Color Committee (POCC): Supports ethnic minority TAG members and addresses systems of race and class through outreach, activism, and initiatives. Queer TAG Committee (QT): Fosters community, spreads visibility, and addresses LGBTQIA+ issues to promote security. Young Workers Committee: Fosters a positive relationship and stimulates engagement with newer members through social events. ADVOCACY COMMITTEES Political Action League: Supports the IATSE PAC fund and educates members regarding political activities and legislation that affect TAG, members, benefits, and compensation. Testing Committee: Addresses the issue of excessive and unpaid skills evaluations commonly known as "testing" with the intention of dismantling this industry norm. Workplace Equality Committee: Supports fair and equal treatment, and works to combat discrimination, harassment, and hostility in the workplace. ORGANIZATIONAL COMMITTEES Communications Committee: Facilitates and works to improve communication, within TAG and with the broader public, with the purpose of supporting the goals, objectives, and initiatives of TAG and its members. Constitution Committee: Examines TAG's Constitution and by-laws to ensure TAG's governing documents are inclusive and uphold and support TAG's mission. Worker Action Readiness Planning (WARP): Supports the Negotiations Committee by researching and planning timelines and toolkits for potential action, and by building solidarity and engagement within TAG membership. COMMITTEES AT A GLANCE T H E L O C A L SPRING 2021 19