What is an Animation Guild?

An Animation Guild job refers to a position covered under the Animation Guild, IATSE Local 839, which represents animation industry professionals in the United States. These jobs include roles such as animators, storyboard artists, background designers, and visual effects artists working in TV, film, and digital media. Guild members benefit from union-negotiated wages, health and retirement plans, and workplace protections. To work in a Guild-covered job, artists typically need to be hired by a signatory studio and may need to join the union after a grace period.