At last night’s General Membership meeting, there was lengthy discussion about ways to find jobs in the animation business. Some bullet points: * Have a portfolio on-line in various formats: quick time, single frame, etc. Show a variety of styles, and most recent work up top. * The Animation Guild offers “Member Profile” pages (which…

401(k) enrollment time again, so here’s your new motivator: According to the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College, the average retirement savings for households nearing retirement — those with head of households aged 55-64—is about $110,000. That means more than half of today’s households won’t have enough retirement income to maintain their pre-retirement standard…

The bidding war for movies and television work continues. UK Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne today unveiled improved incentives for the film, TV and videogame business as he delivered his final budget before the country’s general election May 7. The government has increased the rate of film tax relief to 25% for all qualifying…

The Vanguard Target Date Funds, which most Animation Guild 401(k) participants are using, will be changing their investment lineups in coming months. Right now, the Target Date Funds stock allocations are invested 70% in Total U.S. Stock Market and 30% in International Stocks. By the end of 2015, that will change to 60% U.S. stocks…

One of the really hard workers in animation, and really good guys, passed away early this morning. Gordon Kent succumbed in the fight for his life at 2:00 A.M., after a long, heroic struggle. He was surrounded by his loving wife and soulmate, Donna, his sister Vickie, and her husband Jim. Gordon jumped into animation…

You have no doubt heard by now that a large swath of the population got singed by the reported hack of Anthem Insurance. Almost every entertainment union had members that were affected, and the Animation Guild was no exception. Although there’s not much substantive to report, the guild sent the following to members: You are…

It isn’t just Robert Iger who’ll be ambling on Sony has just confirmed that Amy Pascal is stepping down from her position as co-chairman of Sony Pictures Entertainment and chairman of the Motion Picture Group, and that she will launch a new production venture at the studio. Pascal will transition to the new venture in…

The Animation Guild’s 401(k) Plan quarterly trustee meeting took place on Monday; herewith useful factoids for participants: Total Plan Assets 1st Quarter 2014 — $213,826,678 4th Quarter 2014 — $230,542,543 Average Participant Balance 1st Quarter 2014 — $87,778 4th Quarter 2014 — $92,476 Total Participants 2,493 The trustees met on Monday afternoon where they discussed…

Animation Guild Vice President Jack Thomas was elected President of the guild tonight at TAG’s January General Membership meeting. Mr. Thomas was nominated by the membership and elected by white ballot. Outgoing Animation Guild President Nathan Loofbourrow resigned as President at the end of 2014. As required by the guild’s constitution, an election was held…

Mr. Sito today on his facebook page: With the layoffs at Sony and Dreamworks, some animators fear this is “the End of All Things”. But layoffs are just another part of being in animation. I was laid off many times. When I first arrived in LA, the biggest, stablest studios were Hanna & Barbera, DePatie…

At the December Executive Board meeting, Guild President Nathan Loofbourrow announced his intention to resign his office. According to Article 6, Section 9(a) of our Constitution and By-Laws, the presidential vacancy must be filled at the January General Membership meeting. Any eligible member of the Guild has the opportunity to be nominated and elected at…

… today in Paris: Masked gunmen attacked the Paris offices of satirical weekly newspaper Charlie Hebdo on Wednesday, killing 12 people before fleeing. French security forces launched a major manhunt in the capital after the gunmen fled the scene of the attack, The Guardian reported. Police are searching for two brothers from the Paris region…