2K Motion Capture Studio Workers File for Unionization

Workers at 2K’s Motion Capture studio in Petaluma, California has officially filed for unionization.

Twenty-one full-time staff members at the studio, who oversee motion capture productions for Take-Two Interactive, requested voluntary recognition of their union by their management, who declined to respond. The workers have now filed for an official election supervised by the federal government.

The push comes as a historical first for the video games industry. The 2K Motion Capture Stage workers’ unionization bid is part of a broader movement to win a collective voice on the job within the video game and VFX sectors of the entertainment industry.

Connor Bredbeck, stage technician, said, “The opportunity to work at 2K Mocap has truly been a dream come true for my coworkers and me. It is our love for the work we do that has not only allowed us to organize but is also the reason we are organizing in the first place. The inequities we are experiencing are endemic to the gaming industry and detract from the work we are all so passionate about. The decision to form a union was a necessary step for our studio and hopefully for others as well.”

The studio is behind producing motion capture for Take-Two Interactive titles such as “NBA 2K,” “TopSpin 2K,” “WWE 2K” and “XCOM.”

Calvin Walantus, Sr. motion capture tools engineer added, “At 2K Mocap, I’ve had the incredible opportunity to work on some of my all-time favorite franchises. My coworkers and I decided to form a union to make sure that that opportunity actually represents a rewarding and sustainable career for every dedicated worker who puts their blood, sweat and tears into it.”

Among the core issues workers are hoping to address are compensation and working conditions. Their priorities also include job security, pay equity that reflects industry standards, wage minimums for new hires, and a clearer definition of job responsibilities. The workers argue that despite recent investments in upgrading the facility, their wages remain below par, making it difficult to maintain long-term careers in the industry.

Cameron Boyce, motion capture scenic fabricator said, “I work with a lot of talented and creative people at 2K, all who deserve to have their jobs protected and their wages fair and competitive. Unfortunately management has failed repeatedly to hear our voices when issues arise, which made us feel unheard and ultimately undervalued , and in management’s eyes, expendable.”

Michael F. Miller, international vice-president of IATSE, expressed his support for the workers, stating: “These dedicated individuals are essential to the success of the world-class video games their labor helps create, and their contributions and technical skills overlap significantly with crafts IATSE already represents. IATSE stands firmly with the 2K MoCap workers and Video Game workers in general in their pursuit of the same rights and protections union members have around the entertainment industry. We look forward to the election and eventually good faith negotiations with Take-Two Interactive to honor their workers’ voices and engage in good faith negotiations.”