Animation Guild | We are 839 Digital Magazine
Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1500204
4 KEYFRAME THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY IS IN THE BIGGEST DOWNTURN I'VE SEEN SINCE THE EARLY 2000S. WITH THE STREAMING BUBBLE BURSTING, VARIOUS STUDIO LAYOFFS, AND NOW THE VERY NECESSARY WRITERS GUILD STRIKE, MANY OF OUR MEMBERS HAVE UNFORTUNATELY FOUND THEMSELVES UNEMPLOYED OR UNDEREMPLOYED. THIS HAS BEEN A CHALLENGING TIME FOR ALL OF US, BUT I WANT TO ASSURE YOU THAT CREATIVITY DOES NOT DISAPPEAR JUST BECAUSE EMPLOYMENT DOES. As artists, we are uniquely equipped to find inspiration and creative expression in even the most difficult of circumstances. Unemployment can be a source of stress and uncertainty, but it can also be an opportunity to explore new avenues of creativity and push ourselves to try new things. One way to stay creative during unemployment is to focus on personal projects. Perhaps there is a medium or subject matter you've always wanted to explore but haven't had the time for. This could be a great opportunity to dive in and see where it takes you. Personal projects can also be a way to stay connected to your craft and continue developing your skills while you search for employment. Another way to stay creative is to collaborate with others. This may seem counterintuitive when you're unemployed, but there are likely many other artists in similar situations who would love to work on a project with you. Collaborations can be a great way to expand your creative network, share ideas, and learn from others. Lastly, it's important to remember that creativity isn't limited to traditional artistic mediums. There are many ways to be creative in your day-to-day life, whether it's cooking, gardening, or even rearranging your furniture. Don't be afraid to think outside the box and try new things. Unemployment can be a difficult and stressful experience, so it's okay to take time to rest and take care of yourself. But I hope these suggestions can help you stay connected to your creativity and find some joy in the midst of a challenging time. As a union, we are here to support our members in any way we can. Please don't hesitate to reach out to us for resources, support, or just to connect with other members who may be going through similar experiences. Together, we can weather this storm and emerge even stronger on the other side. In Solidarity, Jeanette Moreno King | President The Animation Guild, IATSE Local 839 CREATIVE OUTLETS ON THE COVER Character Designer Kris Anka created this special artwork to show how he used layers to compose the costume for Spider- Man 2099 in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. L E T T E R