The California Supreme Court verdict in Dynamex Operations West, Inc. v. Superior Court addressed independent contractor classification. Employees can join unions, and receive protection through government rules on minimum wage, overtime and rest breaks. Independent contractors have none of these protections, must pay all Social Security and Medicare costs, and are ineligible for unemployment insurance….

Your vote is your voice – we want everyone that wants to vote to complete all the steps necessary to be able to vote in the 2019 TAG elections. In order to become a member in good standing of the Animation Guild, individuals must: Completely pay all dues, fees, and assessments so that no monies…

I’d like to start a 401k plan. I’ve never enrolled before – what can I do? The best way to get started is to go to the 401k Quickstart page on the Animation Guild website.  Follow the instructions there and complete and return a form. The fastest way to submit a completed form is to scan…

The Animation Guild is here to assist you in finding the help you might need during times of grief through the Motion Picture Industry Health Plan. Most members are enrolled in the Anthem Blue Cross PPO. Under this plan, mental health benefits are carried through Optum. In-network providers have a $5 copay. You can search…

Nominations for Animation Guild President, Vice President, Business Representative, Recording Secretary, Sergeant-at-Arms and 11 Executive Board seats took place at the General Membership Meeting on Sept. 24. The meeting was attended by more than 200 Animation Guild members. Members can meet the candidates and ask questions at a Candidate Forum on Oct. 22, 2019, 7…

The inaugural Lightbox Expo proved to be a dynamic event for both artists and fans. The Animation Guild booth saw its fair share of action as members, uninitiated artists and students stopped by to introduce themselves or to learn more about the Union. Special thanks to all the volunteers who staffed the booth over the…

Animation Committee The Animators Committee held their first official committee meeting and had a great turnout. They discussed several important topics including: updating different job classifications, building visibility for animators, and sideletter N. Next steps: the committee has a survey currently available to animators! They want to hear from their craftsfolk about what their priorities…

Los Angeles County will have a new voting system for the March Primary. Will you know how to use it? Join TAG’s Political Action League (PAL) for a workshop to help prepare you! In March 2020, the County will move away from a precinct-based model to the Vote Center model made possible through the California…

Michelle Lam is one of TAG’s newest members—she officially joined the Guild in July/August 2019! A 2018 CalArts graduate, she is currently working at Titmouse. Learn more about Michelle! Tell us  a little bit about yourself. I grew up in New York and moved to Southern California back in 2014 to attend CalArts. Ever since…

Last Monday, Aug. 5, 2019, Congressman Adam Schiff met with a group of Union organizers and representatives to discuss upcoming legislation, the importance of voting and concerns within the entertainment community. Schiff asked the question, “What is America?” Reminding those gathered to consider our collective values and understand what is at stake in the 2020…

The Young Workers Committee is organizing a unique opportunity for Animation Guild members to participate in an informal one-on-one peer mentoring brunch. The event is planned for Saturday, Sept. 21, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., at The Animation Guild. “The first and primary focus for this event is expanding artists’ professional networks. Guild members…

On Aug. 6, the Gnomon School of Visual Effects, Games & Animation came to the Guild to discuss how you can continue to learn and sharpen skills without feeling overwhelmed by the ever-changing landscape of technology. Directors of Education and Instructors Beau Janzen and Max Dayan identified common road blocks in learning and ways to overcome…