Dune demands pay cuts for special effects staff

We’ve already told you inside and out what’s going on in Hollywood with the writers’ and actors’ strikes crossing their arms in May and July respectively. Consequences that now extend to all the sectors that make up the wonderful dream factory of the seventh art. The latest news in this regard is a request made by a special effects company Dune – Part 2, the second chapter is taken from the book by Frank Herbert and transferred by the director to the big screen Denis Villeneuve.

Dune, what’s up with the special effects?

There was a point before the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes against the AMPTP began (Alliance of Film and Television Producers

), in which it seemed that Dune – Part 2 The world premiere of the film may take place at the 80th Venice International Film Festival. A belief that arose from the fact that the first chapter of the saga was interpreted by new idols. Timothee Chalamet AND Zendaya debuted at the film festival directed by Alberto Barbera. However, as the meeting approached with the press conference at which the titles of the event were to be revealed, the clearer it became that the film would never be able to get to Venice: this is because Dune – Part 2 it seemed that the issue with the post-production stage and, above all, with the section related to visual and special effects was still unresolved. This, coupled with a cast strike that forced Warner Bros. postponed filming meant that Dune – Part 2 was not present at any film festival, which, in fact, opens the awards season.

Now the title Soon shows that there are real problems with the film’s special effects company. As we read in the newspaper just quoted, in fact DENEG, company that deals visual effects For Dune – Part 2, would ask its employees, who number more than ten thousand, to agree to a pay cut of 20-25% for a period of at least seven months. A reduction that must be commensurate with the salary each individual employee already receives. If the employees in question do not have the economic ability to agree to this reduction, they can take advantage of a credit system that is rumored to be reported Diline, this should result in them paying out a larger amount of money over three years. Employees who are unwilling to accept either the first or second condition will most likely be fired.

The salary cuts will, of course, be associated with a drop in the number of job applications received by the company after the strike. However, naturally, this proposal from DNEG made everyone who works there very angry. One of the employees actually said Deadline:

“We are very angry. We have the feeling that DNEG is not offering us anything to compensate us for what is happening, but is instead placing all the burdens and risks on the shoulders of the workers.”

However, the company released a statement explaining that the decision was not made lightly. The official statement reads:

“DNEG is not immune to the effects of the current turmoil in the industry, and we are not alone. These issues are affecting all departments of film production, and our clients around the world are experiencing the suspension or postponement of projects that generate significant revenue for all companies and employees working in this sector. As a result, we continually and proactively monitor all areas that impact our business to ensure that we can continue to deliver the highest quality work while protecting our employees’ positions to the best of our ability. To achieve this, we have asked all employees and team members, including creative leaders and senior executives, to agree to short-term pay cuts that would allow us to retain as many jobs as possible during this period.”