Animation Guild | We are 839 Digital Magazine
Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1535742
T H E L O C A L WHAT LED YOU TO BECOME A FIELD REPRESENTATIVE? I've always been passionate about unions, but when an employer tried to use a loophole to take away my health insurance, I had no idea how to defend myself. Fortunately, TAG staff came to my aid and saved my coverage. But it made me realize just how vulnerable I was because I didn't know my rights under our agreement. I founded and chaired the Writers' Craft Committee and participated in three cycles of TAG bargaining with the AMPTP. Over time I realized I'd become even AS PROPOSED UPDATES TO CALIFORNIA'S FILM AND TV TAX CREDIT MAKE THEIR WAY THROUGH THE STATE LEGISLATURE, TAG COLLABORATED WITH CVL ECONOMICS, THE BRIC FOUNDATION, AND OTHER PARTNERS TO RELEASE RECLAIMING CALIFORNIA'S ROLE IN GLOBAL ANIMATION. This report outlines the essential role animation plays in the future of the entertainment industry in the state and how we can protect its contribution in California. Currently, SB 630 and its companion measure AB 1138 include incentives that favor live- action production, and this historic lack of incentives for animation has caused animation jobs to hemorrhage from California. Since Canada introduced its film tax credit in 1995, California's post- production workforce has shrunk by nearly 60%, and animation jobs in California have declined 4.7% since 2019, while British Columbia's have surged +72% due to aggressive incentive policies. Animation is a $400 billion industry powering streaming, gaming, VFX, and virtual production. As global demand grows, California's market share continues to fall. Animation powers multi-million- dollar franchises, is responsible for the creation of cutting-edge technological innovations, and provides long-term, high-wage careers in storytelling software and design. For California to remain a media leader, it must retain and grow animation. TAG is committed to ensuring that these jobs stay in California. We are a member of the Entertainment Union Coalition under IATSE, and TAG's Political Coordinator Leslie Simmons, President Jeanette Moreno King, and active TAG members have spent the past months in Sacramento representing animation for Keep California Rolling, a campaign for an expanded $750 million annual California Film & Television Jobs Program in the 2025-2026 budget. KEEPING ROLLING TAG MEMBER, ANIMATION WRITER, MEMBER OF THREE NEGOTIATIONS COMMIT TEES, AND RECENT EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER, MAIRGHREAD SCOT T JOINS TAG'S OFFICE STAFF AS ITS NEWEST FIELD REPRESENTATIVE. more passionate about my union work than my work-work. I decided to apply for the Field Rep position in hopes of giving my all to helping TAG members. I am so grateful that I was hired, and I can't wait to help fight for members with the same passion the union fought for me. WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO ABOUT THIS JOB? I've always believed knowledge is power. As Field Rep, it's my job to use my contract knowledge to protect our members from workplace abuse. But my dream is to give members the information (and support) they need to do more than survive this business—I want them to thrive! Our Union has so much to offer in terms of advocacy, resources, and community of all kinds. I see my job as being a walking search engine, ready to help connect our members to the Union—and to each other—in ways that truly enrich their lives. WHAT'S A FUN FACT ABOUT YOU? I love trying those things you only ever do once. So far, I've swum with great white sharks off San Francisco, swung on a flying trapeze, and sparred while wearing full plate armor. Will I ever do any of those again? No way! But each one was an absolute blast! CALIFORNIA Visit keepcaliforniarolling.org to stay up to date on developments. Read the report at animationguild.org/Tax-Incentive-Report. SUMMER 2025 21