In an industry-first organization effort, VFX crew members at Marvel Studios are officially looking to unionize.

Since its emergence in the 1970s, the VFX industry has largely functioned sans union, unlike other Hollywood talent groups such as writers and animators. Previous efforts to unionize have never really taken off, but this filing could mark a turning point for visual effects crews and “a historic first step,” said International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) VFX organizer Mark Patch in a release.

On August 7, roughly 50 Marvel staffers filed a request for an election in order to be repped by IATSE. They are also seeking recognition from the Disney-owned studio behind blockbuster movies like Avengers: Endgame and Disney+ shows such as Loki. 

“Turnaround times don’t apply to us; protected hours don’t apply to us; and pay equity doesn’t apply to us,” explained Marvel Studios VFX coordinator Bella Huffman in the IATSE release. “[VFX] must become a sustainable and safe department for everyone who’s suffered far too long, and for all newcomers who need to know they won’t be exploited.”

Last year, Marvel came under scrutiny when VFX workers spoke out about the difficult working conditions they face in the fast-paced industry. VFX services play a prominent role in the pipeline for the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), a vast franchise of interconnected superhero films and series adapted from Marvel Comics. The genre calls for a lot of special effects work and also adheres to a release date calendar that is often set years in advance.

Marvel has been testing some changes in its strategy this year, with president Kevin Feige expressing an interest in a lighter slate and less frequent releases. 

This organizing move by Marvel’s VFX crew adds momentum to what many see as a summer of solidarity across the entertainment industry, spearheaded by the ongoing WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Production workers at WB Animation and Cartoon Network Studios requested a union election last month, not long after workers at Texas-based Powerhouse Animation successfully secured recognition.

Featured image: Thor: Love and Thunder (2022)