Guild Benefits
What is one benefit that the Animation Guild offers?
Health insurance, pension, wage negotiation, job security, fair overtime pay, etc.
What is a contract in animation?
A legal agreement outlining pay, job duties, hours, and other work conditions between an employee and a studio.
Why was the Animation Guild created?
To protect animators from unfair pay, excessive overtime, and job insecurity.
What is "crunch" in the animation industry?
Extreme overtime work, often unpaid, to meet deadlines.
True / False - You must join the animation guild to work in the animation industry
False
Does the guild offer health insurance? (Yes/No)
Yes
True or False: Union animators always get paid overtime.
False (Union animators are entitled to overtime pay under many contract agreements, but it's not automatic in all cases)
Art Babbitt, legendary Disney animator and key figure in the early animation labor movement, is best known for:
A) Leading the 1941 Disney animators' strike, which helped form the Animation Guild
B) Becoming the first president of the Animation Guild
C) Negotiating the first contract that included royalties for animators
A) Leading the 1941 Disney animators' strike, which helped form the Animation Guild
True or False: The Guild helps prevent excessive unpaid overtime.
True
True or False: Union dues are not worth it.
False
What does the Animation Guild’s pension plan do?
Provides retirement income for union members.
What is one red flag in an animation contract
Unclear pay rates, unpaid overtime expectations, “at-will” employment clauses, or vague job descriptions.
In what year was the Animation Guild founded?
A) 1932
B) 1952
C) 1978
B) 1952
How does the Guild protect against mass layoffs?
Union contracts require fair termination rules, severance pay, or advance layoff notices.
What is one reason some animators choose NOT to join the Guild apart from financial reasons?
They prefer freelance work, want flexibility, or work at a non-union studio.
What kind of contract protections does the guild provide?
Fair wages, overtime pay, protection against sudden layoffs, job security.
(DAILY DOUBLE) What is scale pay in an animation contract
A) The highest possible salary for an an artist
B) The minimum pay that union members must be paid for their job category
C) A studio's standard pay for all employees regardless of their role
B) The minimum pay that union members must be paid for their job category
Name two major studios that are unionized?
Disney, DreamWorks, Warner Bros., Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, and more.
What is one downside of working non-union?
Less job security, no guaranteed benefits, more likely to experience crunch.
True or False: Only full-time employees can be part of the Animation Guild.
False (Freelancers and part-time workers at union studios can also be covered under Guild contracts.)
What happens if an employer violates a union contract?
The Guild can file a grievance, negotiate with the studio, or take legal action.
What is a “pay bump” and how can it be included in a union contract?
A) A guaranteed yearly raise for all employees, regardless of performance.
B) An increase in pay due to experience, promotions, or contract negotiations.
C) A temporary bonus that studios give during busy production periods.
B) An increase in pay due to experience, promotions, or contract negotiations. ✅
What is the Animation Guild’s full official name, and what union is it part of?
The Animation Guild, IATSE Local 839 (part of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, or IATSE).
What’s an example of a real-world studio that had crunch issues?
Rockstar Games (Red Dead Redemption 2 crunch), Naughty Dog (The Last of Us Part II crunch) Pixar Sony, CD Projekt Red, Disney Animation (historically, 1941 animators' strike)
What happens if a studio refuses to follow union rules?
The Guild can take legal action, negotiate, or call for a strike.