tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22906998.post7365658048421595124..comments2024-03-26T22:42:06.412-07:00Comments on TAG Blog: KFP Wallops CompetitionSteve Huletthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05537689111433326847noreply@blogger.comBlogger95125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22906998.post-4278152920472874612009-02-05T17:02:00.000-08:002009-02-05T17:02:00.000-08:00I should clarify my last comment -- the WGA used t...I should clarify my last comment -- the WGA used to have their own members-only comment board, until it generated a nasty lawsuit or three, at which time it was shut down. There's now an <A HREF="http://writeraction.blogspot.com/" REL="nofollow">unofficial WGA-only site</A>, not run by the WGA, which the WGA cooperates with so that it can remain WGA members only.Kevin Kochhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03106628232118096961noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22906998.post-8751500499389530522009-02-05T16:12:00.000-08:002009-02-05T16:12:00.000-08:00KFP rocks all the way through. WALLE's act 1 aweso...KFP rocks all the way through. WALLE's act 1 awesome.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22906998.post-9094569049101820002009-02-05T15:47:00.000-08:002009-02-05T15:47:00.000-08:00Wow. This post strayed far...Wow. This post strayed far...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22906998.post-22639997879862612332009-02-05T13:35:00.000-08:002009-02-05T13:35:00.000-08:00Just to add on to Steve's last comment, we did ind...Just to add on to Steve's last comment, we did indeed have an official Animation Guild bulletin board for several years. Part of it was open to everyone, part of it was open only to union members. I personally seeded it with some posts and threads, and we advertised it repeatedly at meetings and in the PegBoard.<BR/><BR/>In the several years we kept it going, I think we got about a dozen postings from non-members, and all of 2 or 3 postings from union members. It was a resounding waste of time.<BR/><BR/>By the way, the idea that setting up such a board 'takes only a few minutes' is nonsense. It was not a trivial process to set up, though the lack of response kept it from being a significant on-going time waster after the first few months. <BR/><BR/>The WGA is the one guild that has something like what you're proposing, and their members really use it (hey, they're writers, and they love to type out their thoughts and opinions). From what I can gather, maintaining the site and verifying who's in the WGA (anonymous posts aren't allowed, and you can't even get to the site without constantly updated verification that you're a WGA member), along with monitoring and responding to posts, apparently takes a substantial amount of energy on an ongoing basis by several people. <BR/><BR/>I personally don't have time to participate in this blog as it is, and I certainly wouldn't put in the time to retry something I already wasted many hours on in the past. Clearly Steve isn't up for additional uncompensated duties either. <BR/><BR/>That said, if members want to come to a general membership meeting and make a motion that we invest money in setting up a member's-only site, you're more than welcome to. Just realize that such a site, to work, could not allow anonymous comments/participation, and would have to be extremely secure for sensitive Guild and workplace issues to be discussed.Kevin Kochhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03106628232118096961noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22906998.post-76286659482513292832009-02-05T10:50:00.000-08:002009-02-05T10:50:00.000-08:00Because I didn't exactly answer this earlier:If a...Because I didn't exactly answer this earlier:<BR/><BR/><B>If a good number-say. a majority-of the membership expressed the view that they would prefer to have an 839 message board they could post to and read that's password-protected for members only, would you agree or tell them to forget it-you don't want to? </B><BR/><BR/>No, I wouldn't. <BR/><BR/>But as I said above, I just don't think it would work. We had a private message board through the website that died from lack of interest.<BR/><BR/>We shut it down after a couple of years.<BR/><BR/>To the other point: If people vote to stop this blog in its present form, I will bow to their wishes. I am but a servant.<BR/><BR/>But I doubt I would continue the blog under in another form or under another name.Steve Huletthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05537689111433326847noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22906998.post-69945173981771126442009-02-05T08:43:00.000-08:002009-02-05T08:43:00.000-08:00Steve and Kevin:I'd like to thank you for keepimg ...Steve and Kevin:<BR/><BR/>I'd like to thank you for keepimg this blog and informing the rest of us, who were at some point, part of this crazy industry. I was a paying union member, and what happens in this industry in general still of interest to me.<BR/><BR/>If others want to discuss things in private, they can use their own private e-mails... or a writen letter, etc...<BR/><BR/>Rufus.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22906998.post-76541388152917054162009-02-04T22:14:00.000-08:002009-02-04T22:14:00.000-08:00All I'm asking is a private board that's hosted by...<B>All I'm asking is a private board that's hosted by and pertains to our members only.</B><BR/><BR/>Members are free to start one.<BR/><BR/>TAG already has an e-mail system where job postings and specific union info are regularly forwarded to members. Has a newsletter that goes to members.<BR/><BR/>This blog was/is a private effort started by Kevin and me four years ago. Artwork gets posted, posts about the work situations in studios get posted. Current events and history gets posted.<BR/><BR/>Nothing of a proprietary nature from the companies the guild represents gets up here.<BR/><BR/><B>There are portions of our monthly meetings that ARE CLOSED TO NON-MEMBERS.</B><BR/><BR/>Indeed. And none of that is posted here. It's private. <BR/><BR/><B>what exactly is the problem with having one that's limited to union membership? </B><BR/><BR/>Nothing. We had one for a couple of years. Nobody posted on it. Nobody read it.<BR/><BR/>Eventually we shut it down for lack of interest.<BR/><BR/>We have lots of private areas on the Animation Guild website ... which is minimally read.<BR/><BR/>This one -- the public blog -- actually has some traffic. Amazing, but true. Which is why we keep it mostly general interest.Steve Huletthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05537689111433326847noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22906998.post-19716907549871427612009-02-04T21:56:00.001-08:002009-02-04T21:56:00.001-08:00Then remove your title next to your name and chang...<B>Then remove your title next to your name and change the name of this blog.</B><BR/><BR/>I have no interest in doing that, but if the members don't want this blog to continue in its present form, that's fine.<BR/><BR/>I just won't be participating in some other form. And I've no interest in rebranding it "The Hulett Koch blog."<BR/><BR/><B>Why not call it Steve Hulett and Kevin Koch's Blog?</B> <BR/><BR/>I don't want to. But if there's a quorum at a membership meeting that makes a motion and passes the motion to have Hulett cease and desist, Hulett will stop.<BR/><BR/>What could be more fair than that?<BR/><BR/><B>With the title of your position and blog name you are representing TAG whether or not you see it as freedom of speech or not. i am a member, perhaps it should be brought up at next meeting.</B><BR/><BR/>Fine by me. The membership is free to order me to stop doing it in the way that I'm doing it.<BR/><BR/>I just have no interest in running or participating in a private board. The guild already has a private e-mail system where we post jobs and other private union stuff.<BR/><BR/>This blog doesn't post specifics. This blog focuses on the industry in general, in what's going on at the studios on a work level. I post here as an adjunct to my regular job, mostly on my own time.<BR/><BR/>But if a majority of members want the present deal to stop, it will stop. And somebody else is free to start up their own effort, and good luck to them.Steve Huletthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05537689111433326847noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22906998.post-54041435775069098032009-02-04T21:56:00.000-08:002009-02-04T21:56:00.000-08:00Steve, with all due respect, I don't think anyone'...Steve, with all due respect, I don't think anyone's suggesting that THIS blog be restricted to union members.<BR/><BR/>But it <I>would</I> be nice to have a discussion board within the Guild's website that would be for the members of the Guild. I believe there are other guilds that have this, and would be a nice addition to TAG. I can't imagine a reason <I>not</I> to do it, as it would be a healthy and interesting way for Guild members to meet/communicate/network/chitchat, or whatever else happens on discussion boards.<BR/><BR/>Please consider this, outside of any calls of "elitism", etc. Of course, this blog should remain as it is.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22906998.post-3540378498095098642009-02-04T18:27:00.000-08:002009-02-04T18:27:00.000-08:00If a good number-say. a majority-of the membership...If a good number-say. a majority-of the membership expressed the view that they would prefer to have an 839 message board they could post to and read that's password-protected for members only, would you agree or tell them to forget it-you don't want to?<BR/><BR/>I agree with this ANON. I think there should be some kind of petition.<BR/><BR/>You can start up a blog and invite only union members to read/participate and you can do it in five minutes.<BR/><BR/>You totally missed the point. Steve is our REPRESENTATIVE and this is called ANIMATIONGUILDBLOG. It's connected. He gives updates about studios, perhaps it would be best for union member to hear it only to put ourselves in the best position for the next job. Whats the point in sharing info that can help union members when everyone knows about it. Think about the people who are paying dues FIRST.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22906998.post-37126576088245016992009-02-04T17:56:00.000-08:002009-02-04T17:56:00.000-08:00Anonymous Union Member. You can start up a blog an...Anonymous Union Member. You can start up a blog and invite only union members to read/participate and you can do it in five minutes.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22906998.post-46230775542611522142009-02-04T17:11:00.000-08:002009-02-04T17:11:00.000-08:00I'm not an "elitist", I'm a union member. All I'...I'm not an "elitist", I'm a union member. <BR/><BR/>All I'm asking is a private board that's hosted by and pertains to our members only. There are portions of our monthly meetings that <I>ARE CLOSED TO NON-MEMBERS</I>. Elitist? That's absurd. <BR/><BR/>As for "keeping the internets free"--<I>come on</I>. ANYONE can do a message board about animation that <I>anyone</I> can post to. What the hell, keep this one going in this spot for the convenience of the fans that want to come here to talk the same stuff they talk about on the dozens of other free boards available to everyone. <BR/><BR/>But again: what exactly is the problem with having <B>one</B> that's limited to union membership? Give me one reason other than that it's something that might take a few minutes to set up.<BR/>Let me ask you this, Steve: <BR/> If a good number-say. a majority-of the membership expressed the view that they would prefer to have an 839 message board they could post to and read that's password-protected for <B>members only</B>, would you agree or tell them to forget it-you don't want to?<BR/><BR/>I don't give a damn if a fan thinks that I'm "elitist" because I want to to discuss member matters privately with other members. But remember, it cuts both ways and our union has no draconian hours quotas designed to keep out newbies(which some other craft guilds have): the second <I>you</I> get a union job and are a member spending your dues and fees and paying your artistic dues, you'll be privy to union mattersand you'll be an "elitist" too-a card-carrying pro with a guild. That's not a bad thing.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22906998.post-65265739263459385792009-02-04T15:02:00.000-08:002009-02-04T15:02:00.000-08:00The thoughts and observations of the leaders of Th...The thoughts and observations of the leaders of The Animation Guild (TAG), Local 839 IATSE. Steve Hulett is the Business Representative, and Kevin Koch is the President.<BR/><BR/>This weblog reflects their individual personal opinions and does not necessarily represent the official position of the Animation Guild.<BR/><BR/>Then remove your title next to your name and change the name of this blog. Why not call it Steve Hulett and Kevin Koch's Blog. With the title of your position and blog name you are representing TAG whether or not you see it as freedom of speech or not. i am a member, perhaps it should be brought up at next meeting.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22906998.post-35626158799907301992009-02-04T14:36:00.000-08:002009-02-04T14:36:00.000-08:00... it's always struck me as odd that this blog pu...<B>... it's always struck me as odd that this blog publishes what I would consider "sensitive information" and makes it available to the general public. For instance, inside scoop from studios about morale, the quality of work in production, directors losing their jobs, etc. </B><BR/><BR/>Sensitive is in the eyes of the beholder.<BR/><BR/>What we don't do is publish proprietary information.<BR/><BR/>But the opinions of members working at studios ain't proprietary. Last time I checked, everybody has the right of free speech. (Just look around you here.)<BR/><BR/>You should also note that the quotes of member/employees are seldom if ever attributed in blog posts. (Quotes from other sources? That's obviously different). <BR/><BR/>The reports I put up here are my impressions and views of the biz. Not the views of Kevin Koch, not the official outlook of TAG. (Read the disclaimer box in the corner.)<BR/><BR/>But if you think the material herein is sensitive, by all means avert your eyes.Steve Huletthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05537689111433326847noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22906998.post-38350220798319098652009-02-04T14:25:00.000-08:002009-02-04T14:25:00.000-08:00Making this blog a union member only blog would be...<B>Making this blog a union member only blog would be lame. Strikes as elitist mentality. </B><BR/><BR/>Won't be happening on Mr. Hulett's watch.Steve Huletthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05537689111433326847noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22906998.post-27125186304864913442009-02-04T11:23:00.000-08:002009-02-04T11:23:00.000-08:00AM NOT!AM NOT!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22906998.post-42882320441797726922009-02-04T08:57:00.000-08:002009-02-04T08:57:00.000-08:00The Internets should be free!Making this blog a un...The Internets should be free!<BR/><BR/>Making this blog a union member only blog would be lame. Strikes as elitist mentality.<BR/><BR/>And yes, I do find this Pixar vs Dreamworks thing as pathetic. Boy, we really do act as children sometimes...<BR/><BR/>rufus.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22906998.post-84975277914049501862009-02-03T20:20:00.000-08:002009-02-03T20:20:00.000-08:00I doubt KFP will get the Oscar nod from the member...I doubt KFP will get the Oscar nod from the members, even though it is very deserving of it. The folks at Pixar are not only good at storytelling but they also excel at promoting good buzz about their pictures whether the animation community loves them or not. They have a much better marketing machine than most others.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22906998.post-49509931238852695432009-02-03T18:43:00.000-08:002009-02-03T18:43:00.000-08:00I AGREE! This blog should me members only! There a...I AGREE! This blog should me members only! There are too many sensitive informations to widely post here!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22906998.post-46399966907564513932009-02-03T15:11:00.000-08:002009-02-03T15:11:00.000-08:00Anonymous 12:00 PM makes an excellent point, and i...Anonymous 12:00 PM makes an excellent point, and if I may add to it -- it's always struck me as odd that this blog publishes what I would consider "sensitive information" and makes it available to the general public. For instance, inside scoop from studios about morale, the quality of work in production, directors losing their jobs, etc. Don't get me wrong, I value the blog and appreciate the time it takes for Steve to write his posts, and I'm sure many of us who are TAG members find it extremely useful. But I don't see any reason why anyone outside of TAG should have access to it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22906998.post-32664515788279188802009-02-03T12:00:00.000-08:002009-02-03T12:00:00.000-08:00I've said it before and will say it again now:This...I've said it before and will say it again now:<BR/><BR/>This board needs to go to 839membership <I>only</I>. <BR/><BR/>It's a union blog, and it'd be really, really nice if we(like the other industry boards-i.e. the WGA)had password-accessed, union member-only places to discuss things. <BR/><BR/>There are lots of fan boards alreday where all the fans and non-pros can go and discuss their likes & dislikes, with no practical, pro knowledge of any of the things they love. That's fine. But really, the membership deserves a board of our peers. We pay our dies both literally and figuratively, Kevin. Personally I think it could still be an option to be anonymous, but this is getting beyond boring to have the fanboys barge in where they are not germane at all. Sorry, but it's true.<BR/><BR/>As an option, maybe keep this board and ALSO open another private one(if so, wanna bet how dead this thing gets?).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22906998.post-65894270240682902422009-02-03T01:37:00.000-08:002009-02-03T01:37:00.000-08:00A DWA/Pixie fanboy tag team jello wrestle-off for ...A DWA/Pixie fanboy tag team jello wrestle-off for "Best Picture" would certainly spice up the Annies. ;-)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22906998.post-27269856185342372492009-02-03T00:25:00.000-08:002009-02-03T00:25:00.000-08:00It was boring. And I've been going since 1982.It's...<I>It was boring. And I've been going since 1982.</I><BR/><BR/>It's not the most boring award show on Earth. Still something can be improved but for an event like this it's very well executed.<BR/><BR/><I>Isn't the point to watch 100% of the categories for films that are nominated?</I><BR/><BR/>Impossible. Even the AMPAS members can't do it.<BR/><BR/><I>I wonder if KFP was a Pixar film and if Wall-E was a DWA film, if the fanboys in love with Wall-E now would still be in love with Wall-E then.<BR/><BR/>My guess is that they'd be gahgah for KFP and be cursing how Wall-E's story was schizophrenic.</I><BR/><BR/>Impossible. DWA wouldn't crank out something like WALL-E. It's just not their style and direction now. The days of <I>Prince of Egypt</I> and <I>El Dorado</I> were long gone. Not that they're terribly missed. The DWA formula works well at the box office, and now works well within "the industry" too.<BR/><BR/>The closest to something different would be <I>Crood Awakening</I> hopefully by Chris Sanders and it's not in another 5 years.<BR/><BR/>Many Pixar fans express their admiration for KFP at some pro-Pixar online community, and many flat-out don't like Cars and its sequel plan. WALL-E gets mixed reaction by Pixar's own fans. They're not as blind as their detractors' description.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22906998.post-27958755902190514832009-02-03T00:06:00.000-08:002009-02-03T00:06:00.000-08:00It was boring. And I've been going since 1982. Any...<I>It was boring. And I've been going since 1982. Anyone who votes should be required to attend no less than 75% of all Asifa meetings in their respective cities.</I><BR/><BR/>The Annies are only voted on by members of ASIFA-HOLLYWOOD. Other chapters around the world have their own events and don't participate in the Annies. Also, ASIFA-Hollywood doesn't have "meetings" other than the Board of Directors meeting, which I know you haven't attended.<BR/><BR/>If you don't even know these fundamental things about ASIFA-Hollywood and the Annies, why should I believe anything you say?Stephen Worthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01047366337202801862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22906998.post-41817300684863188852009-02-02T23:53:00.000-08:002009-02-02T23:53:00.000-08:00I wonder if KFP was a Pixar film and if Wall-E was...I wonder if KFP was a Pixar film and if Wall-E was a DWA film, if the fanboys in love with Wall-E now would still be in love with Wall-E then.<BR/><BR/>My guess is that they'd be gahgah for KFP and be cursing how Wall-E's story was schizophrenic.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com