‘Futurama’ Producer Rough Draft Reaches Deal With Animation Guild
Rough Draft Studios and the Animation Guild have reached an agreement for a multi-year deal covering animated features and television series created by the studio.
Glendale-based Rough Draft is best known for work on “Futurama” and “The Simpsons Movie” along with a variety of animated television shows and commercials. Its sister studio Rough Draft Studios (Korea) has been the production facility for “The Simpsons” for over two decades along with working for Paramount Pictures, Walt Disney Television Animation and Warner Bros.
Rough Draft previously had a contract with the Animation Guild for work on 2007’s “The Simpsons Movie” but that deal had lapsed.
The guild, which operates as Local 839 of the Intl. Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, did not disclose terms of the deal. The pact will cover as many as 70 employees.
“Our talks with Rough Draft were smooth and productive, and there were no major issues that slowed down our bargaining,” said business representative Steve Hulett. “I can tell you that we’re very pleased to come together on a deal. Rough Draft has been one of the premiere animation houses in Los Angeles for years, and reaching agreement on the studio’s future productions means a lot to the Guild and its members. Our officers and executive board members are very happy Rough Draft is signing a contract.”
The Animation Guild has contracts covering Disney, Warner Bros. Animation, Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network and DreamWorks Animation. It has over 3,000 members.
The Writers Guild of America covers the writing work on a few shows such as “The Simpsons” and “Family Guy.”
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