VoiceGate: Videogame voice actors considering a strike, want to unionize

[T. Reich]

Duh, it's only natural to attempt and drive out the competition.

Again, the employer can just go and say "fuck you" to the unionists and hire the non-union VAs precisely for that reason.

 

[BlackAdderBG]

It's not so duh to the pinkos ITT as they cry muh worker's pay.

 

[Nekot-The-Brave]

Sure programmers and writers need pay rises too, less working hours blah blah, but they are all weak. Most don't seem to care how they are treated because they love what they do and seemingly are willing to put up with any amount of shit. They are also easily replaceable by Indian and Chinese code monkeys so their options are limited from the start.

The games companies should all hire Indian and Chinese voice actors to do English voice acting. That will show them!

 

[T. Reich]

The games companies should all hire Indian and Chinese voice actors to do English voice acting. That will show them!

Inb4 it improves the games.

 

[Harg Harfardarssen]

lol no they also ask for companies to not hire non union VA ,because they are competitors and price them out the market (starting amateurs or some hollywood big names).

I read the article as saying they were asking non SAG talent to show solidarity, not asking the companies too not hire them. Not that it makes a difference either way - they are just asking, not using Pinkertons to murder them.

Also lol at the sheep who buy into neoliberal propaganda telling them that taking it in the ass from capital is respectable.

Also I thought this thread was no SJW. I sense a thread split coming

 

[taxalot]

Fire all VA on strike, spend the money on writers and AI programmers instead. See what happens.
Less Troy Baker, more text.

 

[BlackAdderBG]

I read the article as saying they were asking non SAG talent to show solidarity, not asking the companies too not hire them. Not that it makes a difference either way - they are just asking, not using Pinkertons to murder them.

Maybe my english fails me,but that is from the archived link "SAG-AFTRA also objects to publishers potentially hiring their own employees for voice work without requiring those individuals join the union."

 

[Night Goat]

Fire all VA on strike, spend the money on writers and AI programmers instead. See what happens.

A collapse of the industry, because most modern gamers can't read.

 

[taxalot]

A collapse of the industry, because most modern gamers can't read.

Good.

 

[Harg Harfardarssen]

Maybe my english fails me,but that is from the archived link "SAG-AFTRA also objects to publishers potentially hiring their own employees for voice work without requiring those individuals join the union."

No, you are right. I misunderstood your point as referring to a request that employers respect the strike rather than referring to their negotiating for union shops (or maybe union sets) is a better term.

I still think it falls into standard collective bargaining. Employers want one thing, employees want something different. Union shops are something that are so basic to effective collective bargaining that it's usually a core point.

 

[Executr]

Far Cry 4 director on the VA strike and royalties, pointing at Wil Wheaton. Look at that hashtag... LOL

 

[T. Reich]

Is it the start of another epic battle? Is it the start of... VOICEGATE?

 

[Edward The Mediocre]

https://archive.is/TOzh4

Spoiler

Developing: Video Game Voice Actors Are Considering A Strike
News

by Mike Futter on September 22, 2015 at 05:39 PM
3,312 Views

9

A long-running conversation between publishers and voice actors over contract terms may be coming to a head. SAG-AFTRA, the union representing actors (including voice actors) is currently considering a strike to push the matter to resolution.
Chief among the issues under discussion is the matter of “back end bonuses.” These are a trade-off, with lower fees for service, but a percentage of the gross. This is becoming more common in film, and now may become a piece of the gaming landscape.
According the FAQ found on the SAG-AFTRA website, the proposal suggests that residual payments not kick in until a game sells 2 million units. The union says that would protect smaller game developers, while allowing actors to earn a piece of what it labels as “blockbusters.”
“We’re asking for a reasonable performance bonus for every 2 million copies, or downloads sold, or 2 million unique subscribers to online-only games, with a cap at 8 million units/subscribers,” the union writes. “That shakes out, potentially, to FOUR bonus payments for the most successful games: 2 million, 4 million, 6 million and 8 million copies.”
Additionally, SAG-AFTRA is looking for stunt pay for those actors put in vocally stressful situations. Additionally, with the increase in motion capture performance, the union wants to have stunt coordinators available.
According to the union (and not directly from the publisher representatives, to whom we’ve reached out), the employers have proposed fines for late arrivals on set and fines for agents that don’t send actors out for smaller roles (like ambient voices). SAG-AFTRA also objects to publishers potentially hiring their own employees for voice work without requiring those individuals join the union.
The matter has been under intense discussion since the beginning of the year. The two sides met in February and then again in June with no resolution.
Now, SAG-AFTRA is taking a vote on whether or not to strike. In order for that to happen, 75 percent of voting members would need to approve the action. If successful, members would be unable to work during the strike, and the union would ask that non-members abide by the action.
The group goes so far as to suggest that the proposal from publishers, including Activision, Disney, EA, and WB Games may not be legal. “Saying no will be much easier if the interactive community is on board,” the union indicates on its FAQ page. “It comes down to a question of power. The employers can dig in their heels indefinitely. A strong strike authorization vote is the best way to shift the power dynamic.”
So far, a number of notable voice actors have voiced their support of the strike. Included are Wil Wheaton, Phil LaMarr, Jennifer Hale, and Steve Blum, using two different hashtags (#PerformanceMatters and #IAmOnBoard2015).
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Steve Blum ✔ ‎@blumspew
Sag-Aftra Interactive performers! Please vote! http://www.sagaftra.org/interactive/what-we-stand-to-lose … #PerformanceMatters

7:03 PM - 22 Sep 2015 · Los Angeles, CA, United States

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Jennifer Hale ‎@jhaletweets
voted YES bc #performancematters #Iamonboard2015

10:12 PM - 22 Sep 2015

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Wil Wheaton ✔ ‎@wilw
I love voice acting in video games, but our employers don't seem to think #PerformanceMatters, so I voted YES to strike. #iamonboard2015

7:09 PM - 22 Sep 2015

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phillamarr ✔ ‎@phillamarr
Voting today w/ my fellow vid game performers - united for a fair contract #PerformanceMatters #iAmOnBoard2015

7:02 PM - 22 Sep 2015

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We’ve reached out to a number of voice actors and publishers for perspective on this developing story. We’ll update as more information and comments are available.
Developing…
[Source: SAG-AFTRA]

Our TakeIt is far too early to form an opinion about this, as we’ve only seen one side’s perspective so far. As we have more information to share, we’ll update this story.

Say what you will about unions are good/bad but consider three things:

1. Any RPG fan worth his salt knows that VA causes a logistical bottleneck in game development even more so if the VA is actually a famous movie star that's phoning his lines in.
2. Everyone who isn't in marketing or in a excutive postion is underpaid, and in the line of people who deserve to get paid more VAs are right next to the fucking brain dead 'Q&A' team.
3. This was voiced by Ashly Burch who supports the unionization, seriously fuck the Burch siblings.
   
   

 

[Pika-Cthulhu]

#Squeakywheels

 

[Edward The Mediocre]

#Squeakywheels

#NailThatSticksOutGetsHammered

 

[Neanderthal]

Is this Yankland only? If so it looks like you poor bastards are gonna be inundated by us stiff arsed Brits, wot talk proper English.

Then again a bit more Simon Templeman wouldn't hurt owt.

 

[Neckbeard Shitlord]

In TV you stand around all day long just to say two lines, and in film it takes years just to do half an hour of lines. VO is like free money to these idiots and doesn't even require they leave the house. So I really hope they tell them to fuck off and die.

 

[Outlander]

Devs complain that hiring VAs is too expensive, VAs complain they don't get paid enough.

 

[Roguey]

Haha yesssssss I love the bitterness from game devs over entitled actors.

J-Saw favorited

https://twitter.com/FrydaWolff/status/646435325942763521

 

[Chamezero]

These people are deluded if they think anyone gives a shit about them. Jews are more powerful than SJWs, it's useless.

 

[pippin]

In my country, neoliberalism fixed this issue by allowing more than one union inside a particular business or enterprise. That way, if one goes on strike, the other can keep working. One of those unions will always be bought by the management.

I do agree devs are more in the right to ask for better working conditions though. It's quite common that they are seriously exploited to meet deadlines, and that obviously has an effect on your health, but also on the final product, and this is why most games are unfinished pieces of shit these days.

 

[Mr. Pink]

voice actors can eat shit

 

[Space Insect]

voice actors can eat shit

But where would we be without Liam Neeson in Fallout 4?

 

[J1M]

Only degenerate scum have a problem with people getting paid money to do work. The lack of high paying jobs in the industry is probably why so many of the games released are fucking terrible.

Unless these voice actors are striking on behalf of royalties for programmers they can fuck right off.

 

[Mr. Pink]