Storyboard Artist Maggie Dybas discusses getting to know the ins and outs of the animation pipeline, how joining the Guild shaped their thoughts on the connection between art and labor, and becoming a Shop Steward to help members understand their collective power.
Name: Maggie Dybas
Job Title: Storyboard Artist
Studio: Netflix Series Animation
Contact Info: stewards-netflix@tag839.org
Tell us a little about yourself and your career.
My heart has always been too big for my chest, so when I learned that real people with real jobs make the movies that held my attention as a child, I knew that I wanted to do that. I entered the workforce in 2020 (what a year) and joined TAG in 2021 after refocusing my creativity from CG animation to storyboarding. Since then, I have had the privilege to work alongside amazing artists at Warner Bros., Nickelodeon, and now to Netflix series! My work on a wide range of animation productions has given me insight on many different shapes and forms an animation pipeline can take and how an artist can protect themselves in each.
What do you love most about working in animation?
The people. In and outside of the office, I am blown away by how friendly and skilled animation folks are. I could not be more grateful for the warm welcome I received when I joined the Guild and how it shaped my perspective of labor, art, and how it coincides. I feel honored to be surrounded by such inspiring, uplifting folks in my everyday life.
Maggie Dybas hosting the first ever TAG Tuesday at Netflix Series Animation.
Why did you volunteer to serve as Shop Steward?
I was not educated in labor unions or the labor movement as a youngin’ in the modern educational system, but I quickly learned just how important labor unions are to the health of workers’ futures. I had quickly gotten swept up into volunteering in a variety of different capacities, including becoming a Captain and a committee Co-Chair. It was only a matter of time before I became a Steward.
Above all, I want to use my time to make sure members know just how powerful they are if we band together to face obstacles at the workplace together.
As a Shop Steward, what are your priorities in helping TAG members at your studio?
Connecting members is my top priority. Netflix Series artists are often fully remote workers, and though it is great for work/life balance, I believe that our power comes from us talking to each other about our working conditions and production pipelines. My goal is to connect artists with their co-workers, whether it be on their production or across productions at Netflix Series Animation.
You can learn more about Maggie on their website.
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