‘Saturday Night Live’ Visual Effects Artists Unionize With IATSE

As a seasoned cinephile who has witnessed the evolution of television over decades, I can’t help but feel a sense of satisfaction seeing the visual effects artists at Saturday Night Live unionize with IATSE. Having spent countless hours marveling at their intricate work, I’ve always been in awe of the unseen heroes that bring our favorite skits to life.


16 digital short visual artists from “Saturday Night Live” who create their work in advance using digital technology have joined the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) and have been officially acknowledged by both the series’ producer, Broadway Video, and NBCUniversal as a union.

On Monday, IATSE announced progress in their development. This latest move by IATSE is a continuation of their successful attempt to unionize the “SNL” editing team back in October 2022. The union members approved their first contract in May 2023. NBCUniversal acknowledged IATSE as the negotiating party, according to IATSE, following the presentation of signed authorization cards by ‘SNL’ VFX workers, which indicated unanimous support for unionization.

As a devoted movie enthusiast, I’ve come to appreciate the significance of union protections more than ever, especially with the explosive growth in VFX work on iconic shows like “SNL” over the past few years. The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) is currently spearheading a massive campaign to unionize top Visual Effects (VFX) firms, including shows like “SNL,” which for far too long, has seen many job classifications slip through the cracks.

During my six-year tenure at SNL, I’ve watched the Visual Effects (VFX) team transform from a compact unit into a well-oiled machine, working in sync to handle hundreds of challenging shots within a 24-hour timeframe. The atmosphere is exhilarating, collaborative, and filled with fun, pushing our capabilities, adaptability, and sometimes even our capacity for articulate speech after long hours in front of screens,” stated VFX artist Richard Lampasone in a statement released by IATSE. “Our role, like that of all others involved, is crucial to the show’s triumph. We eagerly anticipate marking Season 50 by continuing SNL’s tradition of backing union workforce, and contributing towards negotiations for a contract that acknowledges our significant contribution and paves the way for a more inclusive and sustainable career in the long term.

Hannah S. Kim, a seasoned VFX lead with four years of experience at “SNL,” shared that the role is both gratifying and demanding.

Kim expressed in a statement through IATSE that the team’s creative challenges at ‘SNL’, despite the tight deadlines every week, are made engaging thanks to the exceptional people working there. Kim is proud to collaborate with their VFX teammates and feels it’s crucial for us to unionize to establish a healthier work environment. Kim believes our skills and contributions should be acknowledged as vital to ‘SNL’s’ production process, instead of being overlooked.

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2024-10-29 03:16