There have been rumblings for a while that Marvel Studios is putting VFX artists under undue pressure, something that's only been made worse now they're producing movies and TV shows. Some of what we've heard about overworked artists and visual effects houses being blacklisted by the studio is pretty reprehensible, but Marvel Studios has remained silent.
She-Hulk: Attorney at Law star Tatiana Maslany and Head Writer Jessica Gao weren't given that option when they were quizzed on the matter by journalists at the Television Critics Association Summer Press Tour yesterday.
It goes without saying this is a VFX-heavy series, and Maslany expressed her support for those working behind the scenes. "We have to be conscious of how the work conditions are not always optimal," she started. "I feel incredibly deferential to how talented these artists are and how quickly they have to work. [It's] much quicker than probably should be given to them, in terms of churning these things out."
The actor would add that she's "Pro-union," words Marvel Studios would probably rather not hear.
As for Gao, she chimed in to say, "I think everyone on this panel stands in solidarity with workers and is pro-workers. This is just a massive undertaking, to have a show of this scale, where the character is CG, it's a very overwhelming and enormous thing to take on."
"It's terrible that a lot of artists feel rushed, and feel the workload is too massive."
When the first teaser for She-Hulk: Attorney at Law was released, it immediately came under fire for what fans deemed to be poor visual effects (leading to comparisons to Fiona in Shrek, believe it or not). Recent footage has shown a vast improvement, and it's clear an unspeakable amount of work must have gone into making the hero look perfect ahead of the show's debut this month.
It's definitely good to see Maslany and Gao express support for these VFX artists. However, only time will tell whether Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige or Victoria Alonso (President of Physical, Post Production, VFX and Animation) choose to respond to those recent accusations in any way.
The series follows She-Hulk as the hero navigates the complicated life of a single, 30-something attorney who also happens to be a green 6-foot-7-inch superpowered hulk.
She-Hulk: Attorney at Law premieres on Disney+ on August 18.