In an open letter from Marge Dean posted Friday, the Women in Animation President reflects on the shaky state of the industry — both from the boom and bust cycle of content production demands as well as more worrying political trends — and the need to support the workers most likely to be affected. As Toon Town looks for a hint of greenlights at the end of the tunnel, WIA is also gathering resources to support the community.
“…The streamers and new players in our business have had a dramatic impact on the animation industry; how it runs is completely changed. The explosion of production was so disproportionately large that there was no way that it wouldn’t crash. That is what we’ve been experiencing: a course correction. Just as the tech industry experienced during the dotcom era at the end of the last century, a bubble has burst,” Dean writes.
“At the same time, we’re experiencing an attack at all levels of government on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) work. From MeToo to Black Lives Matter to LGBTQ+ rights to disability rights, we continue to collectively voice the need for a better world; this has mainly been led by people with disabilities, women, non-binary, queer, and/or BIPOC people.”
In addition to reasserting the importance of groups like WIA, LXiA, BlackNAnimated and others, and calling on individuals to reconnect with their networks and the greater animation community, Dean detailed a new initiative to help WIA members through this rough patch. A series of events and programs dubbed “Animating Resilience: Surviving and Thriving in an Uncertain Industry” is being launched that is “designed to empower industry professionals of all levels and students with the knowledge and skills to navigate the animation landscape during uncertain economic conditions.”
The program will present expert insights, interactive panels and workshops that will impart strategies to successfully adapt to an ever-changing industry. “By providing actionable insights, fostering collaboration, and supporting mental well-being, we hope to contribute to the industry’s long-term resilience and growth,” says Dean.
WIA has also added more material to its Career Resource Center, including unemployment resources, recordings of previous relevant WIA events and a new Recruiter Directory (coming soon). WIA members are also encouraged to check out the group’s Mentorship Program, Job Board and Talent Database.
Visit the WIA Career Resource Center online at womeninanimation.org.
