The Undeclared Variable

It looks like it. Late last year it was announced that a deal to set up Wonderstruck Animations in the old MGM Grand casino fell through (full story). Since then everything was quiet and the fate of Wondestruck Studios seemed unsure. A few days ago there has been a buzz of news that Wonderstruck Studios is working on a deal to now use Ford Field. Yes, Ford Field is an indoor football stadium but according to Freep.com there is 230,000 square feet of office space for lease.

Though the news article doesn't say anything about an official announcement it hasn't stopped Wonderstruck from updating their website with the new location and asking for applications. This is a ray of hope in light of Disney's recent announcement to close ImageMovers Digital in 2011 (full story). Apparently there are plans for 3 more facilities in Michigan as well, but as always we will have to wait and see what actually happens.

There is one interesting topic that comes to mind; in recent years there has been more and more discussion of whether or not unions in this industry would be a good idea. I recall an article in 3D World magazine weighing the pros and cons but I would have to dig around to find it again. Now with a studio possibly coming to what used be one of the largest hubs of labor unions (in case you were born yesterday, Detroit used to be ground zero for the auto industry) you have to wonder if this is a sign that we may be getting closer to the day when this industry is unionized.

I don't think this is unlikely. Anyone who knows anything about the film industry knows about the unions around film sets. That has been going on for decades and is it so unlikely it would eventually bleed over into the realm of post-production? In fact an Online Townhall meeting is scheduled to occur at the end of the month concerning the treatment of VFX artists. This comes up not too long after Lee Stranahan posted his open letter to James Cameron which addresses the "the unfair treatment and working conditions of visual effects artists around the world".

It only seems, to me at least, that there is an increase in signs that change is on the horizon. Remember the impact of the writers strike? Imagine a strike of not only VFX people, but everyone in digital production and post-production. I really wonder if Hollywood has even comprehended how bad this could be for them. You can't help but wonder...

Wonderstruck Studios official web site
Digital animation studio set to locate at Detroit's Ford Field (Freep.com)

- Ed