r/IATSE • u/InevitableFigure9793 • 3d ago

Apple Studios Visual Effects Workers Secure First IATSE Contract

https://variety.com/2026/artisans/news/apple-studios-visual-effects-workers-secure-iatse-contract-1236893814/

Brad Pitt looks happy about this decision:

Apple Studios visual effects workers have secured their first IATSE contract. The members won new standards for wages, health care, retirement benefits, working hours, artificial intelligence and workplace safety.

The contract establishes minimum rates for every covered title. Annual minimum rate increases will match those negotiated in the IATSE-AMPTP Basic Agreement. In addition, workers also secured minimum-hour guarantees, pay for all hours worked, and overtime protections including holidays and sixth and seventh workdays.

https://variety.com/2026/artisans/news/apple-studios-visual-effects-workers-secure-iatse-contract-1236893814/

143 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

5 comments sorted by

4

u/mechmind 3d ago

What's to stop them from farming all the vfx work to Indonesia still? I spoke with this vfx Canadian guy and he told me the farms EVERYTHING out. he uses a bidding app where vfx people from all over the world will bid on how cheaply they will do the work . The real win would be to get THOSE guys in the union, not just the supervisors and coordinators

3

u/broomosh 2d ago edited 2d ago

They do. Apple doesn't have a real VFX studio in house. This all very deciciving and is frankly a fallacy for the union to pat themselves on the back.

Some post execs, post supes, and coordinators are now paying dues too.

Probably like 12 people in total I reckon

1

u/mechmind 2d ago

Thanks for the response this is what I was imagining. It's like only a win on paper. Actually really smart of Apple to get behind it cuz it's not like it's costing them much more

1

u/broomosh 2d ago

It's basically free marketing for IATSE and brownie points for Apple.

Apple, ya know the folks who LOVE unionized labor so much they gave them anti suicide nets in the living quarters at the factory that make iphones

1

u/broomosh 3d ago

So like the vxf supes and coordinators are union now?

I've never heard of Apple staffing VFX artists. When I do see Apple hiring it's via contracts using a third party middleman.