Transcript:

Page 1: ‘Stand with Animation’

Panel 1: “During the 2020 Pandemic, many forms of entertainment were forced to halt production. With millions isolated, the vitality of these industries became clear.” The image below shows a large group of protestors holding signs that read statements like ‘Stand with Animation’, ‘Animation by Humans Not AI.’, and ‘Animation with Soul.’

Panel 2: Shows a circular panel with the words AI crossed out and above it reads “Brief Background” with arrows pointing to two more narrative boxes which state “Following the end of quarantine several strikes occurred in 2023 within the entertainment industry (WGA and SAG-AFTRA).

Panel 3: “These set the groundwork for creatives fighting against the inclusion of AI in the creative industry!” This panel is displayed alongside a cartoon version of Adam Conover a figurehead in the current movement.

Panel 4: Shows two people watching a cartoon on their television as the text box below states “Many animators spent the pandemic continuing their work remotely.”

Panel 5: Shows a young woman talking and working virtually on a project.

Panel 6: Shows a chart that displays profits increasing while worker stability is decreasing with an inset circular panel showing a man labeled CEO giving a thumbs up. “These Animators provided their studios with success despite the intense uncertainty of the time”

Page 2: 

Panel 1: “Now these same Animators are negotiating their contracts. Since Aug. 1, 2024, the Animation Guild has been fighting for better labor practices and fair compensation.”

Panel 2: Shows the Animation Guild logo.

Panel 3: Shows Rebecca Sugar discussing the importance of the movement to an audience of protestors.

Panel 4: Shows a collective of Animators standing in front of a pile of papers implied to be the contracts with a banner above reading ‘2024 Negotiations.’ The Text Box below elaborates “AI especially is an immediate threat to the industry. This threat would mainly impact entry-level positions.”

Panel 5: Shows a young person standing nervously holding their portfolio they say “I’m here for the interview!”

Panel 6: Shows a huge conglomerate creature made up of faces and arms looming above the figure as it responds “Sorry that position has been filled by AI in an attempt to cut cost and staff!”

Panel 7: A circular panel showing Jefferey Katzenberg as he’s quoted saying “…When I made animated movies it took 500 artists… I don’t think it will take 10% of that 3 years from now.” the quote is cited to former Dreamworks CEO Jefferey Katzenberg (2023).

Panel 8: A text box that reads “The rise of AI is just another example of corporate greed motivating worker neglect. The guild hopes to change that through a fair contract.”

Page 3: 

Panel 1: “This is a good time to look inward at how The School of the Art Institute of Chicago treats its animation department.”

Panel 2: Shows the course selection menu with the different Availability of Animation classes, the classes are listed as ‘Waitlist’, ‘Waitlist’, ‘Don’t even try’, and ‘No.’

Panel 2: Shows a nervous-looking individual as they comment on panel 2 saying “That was my 5th backup.”

Panel 3: A teacher giving a lecture on Animation 101 to a class of eager students. “The Animation department at SAIC is both acclaimed and notorious. In an anonymous survey, 18 SAIC animation students were asked about the program.”

Panel 4: Shows a pi-chart of the SAIC student’s responses to the question “Do you feel you need to neglect yourself or other classes for animation?” to which 65% of students responded yes, 30% of students responded sometimes and only 5% of students responded no.

Panel 5: The second pi-chart shows student responses to the question “Do you feel you can voice discomfort?” to which 53% of students responded sometimes, 30% of students responded yes and 17% of students responded no.

Panel 6: Two anonymous SAIC students are quoted saying “I didnt think it was an important enough health problem for them to take seriously” and “I’ve had Professors make me feel guilty for using my accommodations.”

Panel 7: A textbox that states “A unanimous issue highlighted by these students was the school’s failure to support the program.” The image next to this text box shows a group of SAIC students smiling and declaring “More Funding for FVNMA!”

Page 4: 

Panel 1: “Many would like an increase in funding, staff, and classes. Without these institutional supports in place, many feel unable to vocalize discomfort for fear they’ll be unable to take the class again.”

Panel 2: Shows a young person posed inquisitively as they wonder aloud “Do I go to class sick or use one of my two absences?”

Panel 3: Shows a young person holding a cartoonishly large stack of papers supposedly framed for their animation final.

Panel 4: Shows an inset panel of someone uploading their animation file above the classic ball-bouncing animation assignment with the work time listed below as 17 hours. “It is time to question this classroom culture that rewards student silence, and self-neglect and has students feel unable to be open with their teachers for fear of being shamed.

Panel 5: A circular panel that states “DO: Encourage efficiency and hard work. Be realistic and honest.”

Panel 6: A panel that shows an animation student and teacher communicating with each other while other students work in the background.

Panel 7: A circular panel that states “DONT: Shame students for external factors. Encourage self-neglect.”

Panel 8: Shows a figure being crushed by the “FVNMA Department” The figure is labeled students and teachers.

Panel 9: Shows a sign that reads ‘Stand with Animation’

Panel 10: Is a QR with an arrow pointing at it that says “Learn More” The QR code leads to “www.tagnegotiations2024.com”

Panel 11: “The industry norm is under scrutiny, and creating an educational environment that prioritizes self-advocating alongside efficiency will prep them to recognize future harmful workplaces. All Animators deserve better.”