Becoming a real guild

Two years ago Blair & I decided to organise the loose professional/social group we had into something a bit more concrete, the aim being to bring together the wide range of designers, artists and technicians that work in the field of Motion Design in Aotearoa New Zealand. Through our regular meetups we’ve really seen the strength and talent in our community and we’re going to keep evolving the format of these meetups as we go forward.

We also want to keep advocating for the Motion community. Some of you may know that the Screen Industry Workers Bill (SIWA) was recently passed. It will establish enforceable contracts with mandatory, minimum terms and create processes for resolving disputes. The Bill aims to set clear expectations for productions to help prevent problems, such as discrimination, workplace bullying and harassment. It will also create a collective bargaining framework. This Bill affects all contractors working in the screen industry (commercials, features, TV and games). It will not affect employees. More info here.

Motion Design falls under the Technicians (Post Production) category. And while most of us would argue that Motion is definitely not a purely post production process that’s where we’ve ended up. Starting early next year, the workers groups representing the extremely broad range of post production jobs will begin negotiating with the government to decide what the minimum terms in the contracts will be. These include pay rates.

The MDGA is currently a guild in name only. If we wish to take part in these negotiations we have to officially incorporate. This involves being an entity registered with the government. We’ll have a constitution, we’ll elect a board. Members will have voting rights and get to decide how the MDGA functions.

If you’ve never been involved in an incorporated society like a union or club before, don’t worry, it’s not really that complicated. We’re working closely with the other more established industry guilds and are looking to utilise their resources & experience. The main thing is if you want to have some input on how our industry works, how things like rates and employment conditions affect you, you’ll need to be involved. We consider it better to have a seat at the table than have the rest of the industry dictate matters that affect us.

This includes full timers, students and studio owners. We are all responsible for making sure this industry is as healthy and supportive as it can be.

We are going to have a meeting on Sunday the 11th of December, 8pm to start the process of becoming an incorporated society. If you are keen to support our industry going forward, we’d love for you to join us. Please contact us if you’ve got any questions.

Here is a link to the google meet.

Here is a link to the agenda.

Here is a link to the draft constitution.

Ngā mihi,

Shaun Madgwick & Blair Walker

Founders, MDGA