IATSE LOCAL 839 MAGAZINE WINTER 2020 ISSUE NO. 12 THE ANIMATION GUILD QUARTERLY A NEW AGE: FINISHING THE CROODS SEQUEL FROM HOME WINTER 2020 A NEW AGE FINISHING THE CROODS SEQUEL FROM HOME “ONE OF THE MOST GORGEOUS ANIMATED FILMS EVER MADE.” “UNLIKE ANYTHING AUDIENCES HAVE SEEN BEFORE.” “★★★★ VIBRANT AND HEARTFELT.” FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION BEST ANIMATED FILM GLEN KEANE, GENNIE RIM, p.g.a., PEILIN CHOU, p.g.a. FILM.NETFLIXAWARDS.COM TAG20_Mag_Q4_Ext.indd 2 11/20/20 6:38 PM KEYFRAMEICI Cover.indd 2 QUARTERLY MAGAZINE OF THE ANIMATION GUILD, COVER 2 11/23/20 10:59 AM NETFLIX: OVER THE MOON PUB DATE: 12/01/20 TRIM: 8.5” X 10.875” BLEED: 8.75” X 11.125” ISSUE 12 DEPARTMENT CONTENTS 9 10 ON THE JOB 16 SOCIAL HOUR FRAME X FRAME The role of Modelers Lessons learned from FEATURES at different studios the “Just Ask” panel 20 YOU HAVE 10 SECONDS 4 FROM THE 12 THE CLIMB 18 THE LOCAL PRESIDENT Eric Robles on his Know your TO DECIDE unusual career journey Weingarten Rights More complex and engaging interactive projects are coming! 7 EDITOR’S From special event episodes NOTE 14 AFTER HOURS 42 SHORT STORY for younger audiences to more Waymond Singleton Frank Abney’s labor adult choices embedded in a on co-creating of love 9 ART & CRAFT superhero world, we look at the Black N’Animated creative challenges of putting Pottery for the soul together a nonlinear story. 28 A NEW AGE As production on The Croods sequel moved from the studio and into the home office, staying connected became a bigger challenge than simply a plot point of the film. With the obstacles resolved, the final movie evokes a vibrant and emotive story. 36 HOLIDAYS AT HOME The third annual Holiday Gift Guide continues to showcase crafts and artwork by some of The Animation Guild’s talented members—celebrate the season while supporting local artists and union kin. 28 20 36 WINTER 2020 3 LETTER A MOST UNUSUAL YEAR As I look back on this crazy year with the pandemic, social unrest, climate change, and a test on our political system, I am amazed at the resilience of the human spirit. The determination to push through obstacles and find hope in every nook and cranny then nurture it like a flame in the darkness. This time last year, I had been newly elected as President of The Animation Guild and my calendar was packed with meetings, work deadlines, and family obligations. News began to trickle in about a SARS-like virus spreading through China and parts of Europe but it all seemed so far away. In mid-February, I attended Officer Institute in Phoenix, a week-long leadership seminar offered by IATSE to all its union officers. My mind was filled with plans and I was energized with a long list of goals, some loftier than others. I was eager to get started on this agenda with the help of our newly elected Executive Board. Less than a month later, on March 13, L.A. County was placed on a Stay-at-Home order. Everything on my agenda came to an abrupt halt. Most of our members were able to continue to work from home, so the level of service the Guild provided would need to be maintained. Our Business Representative, Steve Kaplan, navigated through these rough seas beautifully. The animation industry was able to pivot quickly to work-from-home crews and most productions continued with little disruption. It is a completely different story for our union kin on the live action and live event side of the industry. Mid-March was when over 80% of IATSE members became unemployed with no end in sight. As it stands now, live entertainment won’t be coming back until a vaccine is widely available. Live action TV and ON THE COVER film production has slowly started to return but at great risk to the limited crews allowed to Cover photo of Joel work. It makes me sad that almost everyone in my leadership training class in Phoenix has Crawford by Tim Sullens. been out of work for months. I hope soon they all can return to some kind of normal. MONITOR, CLOCKWISE FROM At the Guild, we slowly adjusted to a new way of business—conducting meetings, studio TOP LEFT: Jakob Jensen, visits, and social events through Zoom. Personally, I feel that WFH has made it possible to Guy, Heidi Jo Gilbert, Eep, juggle all my responsibilities a little easier. Although, I really do miss idle chit chat in the Januel Mercado, and Dawn. studio and getting to see my coworkers body language when we speak. Despite all these difficulties, we still managed to have some real successes. We created new committees and groups that reflect the diversity of our industry with the People of Color Committee, Experienced Worker Committee, and Workplace Equality Committee plus a Black Artists Group and a Deaf, Disabled, and Neurodiverse Voices Group. We’ve had remote portfolio reviews for members and people hoping to break into our industry. We’ve had remote visits to universities, high schools, and grade schools presenting a variety of people who have been successful in the animation industry to show those growing up in underserved communities that they have a path into a viable career. We have hosted a variety of well attended panels covering a wide range of topics like Getting Started in Animation, Animation at Every Age, Inside the Negotiations Room, and LatinX Heritage Panel. We had the largest delegation for our annual IATSE District 2 Convention, which was held remotely, and got four resolutions passed that will now move on to the national level. It’s been a roller coaster of a year and I, for one, look forward to our bright future. In Solidarity, Jeanette Moreno King | President The Animation Guild, IATSE Local 839 © 2020 DREAMWORKS ANIMATION LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. KEYFRAME MAGAZINE - TO GERARD DWA1078 ISSUE DATE: DECEMBER 2020 DATE DUE: DECEMBER 4, 2020 FINAL 11/20/20 5:30PM LJ MECHANICAL SIZE BLEED: 8.75"W x 11.125"H TRIM: 8.5"W x 10.875"H LIVE: .375" ON ALL SIDES Get Connected! If you’re not receiving important emails from The Animation Guild—job Editor-in-Chief Alexandra Drosu listings, events, invitations, classes, Art Director Jenn Logan/Studio Fuse, Inc. and more—it’s because you haven’t Photographers Martin Cohen, Tim Sullens opted into our email system. Contributing Writers Karen Briner, Kim Fay, Jay Fernandez, I’m running for Assembly to pursue my wife Marcella’s Whitney dream Friedlander, to build Evan a Henerson better future for our children and families. I’ll work hard to create new jobs, improveEditorial our schools,Assistant keepRusteen our Honardoost communities clean, green and safe and make sure every You can fix that inCalifornian under ahas minute: access to affordable healthcare. I would be honored if you would join me. Publishing Committee Steve Kaplan, Jeanette Moreno King, Visit animationguild.org/email-list Carrie Liao, Jason MacLeod, Jason Mayer, Paula Spence Executive Board Jeanette Moreno King (PRESIDENT), Jack Thomas (VICE-PRESIDENT), Steve Kaplan (BUSINESS REPRESENTATIVE), Paula Spence (RECORDING SECRETARY), Robert St. Pierre We Support TOM CALDERON (SERGEANT-AT -ARMSfor), Jack Cusumano, State Assembly! 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Johnson (TRUSTEE), California Association of Highway Patrolmen (CAHP) State Senator Carol Liu Crystal Kan, Carrie Liao (TRUSTEE), California Correctional Peace Officers Association State Senator Gloria Negrete McLeod Mike Milo, Elisa Phillips, Stephen Silver (CCPOA) State Senator Curren Price (TRUSTEE), Emily Walus Tom Calderon Bio Final.indd 8 California Police Chiefs Association State Senator Michael Rubio Ed Hernandez State Senator Dr. State Senator Kevin de Leon State Senator Lou Correa State Senator Ron Calderon Steinberg Darrell Tem Pro State Senate President Horton of Equalization Chairman Jerome Board (retired) Superintendent of Public Torlakson Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Instruction Jack O’Connell Democrats Los Angeles County Young California Latino Legislative Caucus United Association (UA) Local 78 Communications Union Transportation Joint Council 42 Teamsters Local 675 Sheet Metal Workers Local 105 Sheet Metal Workers District Council 36 (IUPAT) International Union ofLocal 12 Painters andInternational Allied Union Trades ofLocal 11 Operating Engineers(IBEW) Workers Electrical (IUOE) of Brotherhood International Local Lodge 1484 Workers International Association of Machinist and Aerospace California School Employees Association (CSEA) (PORAC) Police Officers Research Association (CPF Local 3821) Montebello Firefighter Association of California (IAFF Local 1014) Los Angeles County Firefighters (CPF) California Firefighters Professional California Police Chiefs Association (CCPOA) California Correctional PeaceCalifornia (CAHP) Association of Highway Patrolmen Officers Association (ALADS) Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs Advertising IngleDodd Media California Professional Firefighters (CPF) State Senator Juan Vargas Los Angeles County Firefighters (IAFF Local 1014) (310) 207-4410 Montebello Firefighter Association (CPF Local 3821) Assemblymember Michael Allen [email protected] We Support Police Officers Research Association of California Assemblymember Marty Block Editorial Offices 1105 N. 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