Animation Guild | We are 839 Digital Magazine
Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1505195
4 KEYFRAME L E T T E R A WARM SENSE OF NOSTALGIA WASHES OVER ME WHEN I THINK ABOUT MY EARLY INFLUENCES FROM HORROR MOVIES AND BOOKS. I WAS ONE OF THOSE KIDS WHO HAD AN INSATIABLE LOVE FOR ALL THINGS HORROR. Whether it was spine-chilling comics, eerie books, or scary movies and TV shows, I devoured them all with gusto. Those memories of reading Creepy and Eerie, the horror anthologies my teenage cousins had lying around, are etched vividly in my mind. My passion for horror only grew with time, especially when I discovered the gothic tales of Edgar Allen Poe during my middle school days. The Twilight Zone and Twin Peaks became staples of my TV viewing, along with Saturday afternoon reruns of Universal Pictures monster movies. With every scare and thrill, my fascination with horror deepened, and I realized that the genre offered a safe way to explore intense emotions and frightening situations from the comfort of my couch. Horror, much like a rollercoaster ride, allows us to willingly immerse ourselves in fear and excitement. It's the kind of thrill-seeking that I've cherished throughout my life—a way to experience the adrenaline rush without any real danger. Today, I find myself excited about the rise of adult themes in American animation, coupled with a newfound appreciation for diverse art styles. While there have been animated horror movies and shows in the past, they mostly catered to children. Now, with the freedom to explore more mature themes and the acceptance of various artistic expressions, animation can finally merge with my beloved horror genre in a whole new way. Yet, amidst this artistic progress, we face challenges that demand our attention. The world of entertainment has shifted drastically with the rise of streaming media, allowing for experimentation and creativity, which I do find thrilling. But there's also a darker side to this evolution—a complex interplay of changing consumer habits, corporate greed, and consolidation. As costs are cut in the name of profitability, it's often the artists and creatives who suffer—layoffs, understaffing, and stagnant wages are all too common. In the midst of these struggles, I find hope in the ongoing WGA/SAG-AFTRA double strikes. These events serve as a reminder that we must prioritize the people who pour their hearts and souls into creating the shows and movies we cherish. Their well-being should be at the forefront of our concerns, for they are the lifeblood of this beloved industry. It's crucial that we come together, industry professionals and fans alike. We must ensure that the future of animation and the entertainment industry, in general, isn't veering toward a dystopian nightmare. By supporting artists and acknowledging their value, we can pave the way for a brighter and more creative future. I'm hopeful that our shared love for animation and horror will inspire us to protect and nurture the industry we hold dear. Together, we can shape a future that is as thrilling and captivating as the scariest horror story—minus the nightmares. In Solidarity, Jeanette Moreno King | President The Animation Guild, IATSE Local 839 FACING FEAR ON THE COVER Visual development art for DreamWorks' Fright Krewe depicts terrified tween Soleil who accidentally awakens a demonic being.