Union protests have been a hot topic in Hollywood for some time now, and opinions on the matter are divided. While workers seek better compensation, directors and business owners have to navigate the delicate balance of maintaining their businesses while also providing fair wages to their employees. Our team reached out to Director and Showrunner Victor Migalchan and asked his thoughts on the issue.
Victor Migalchan stated that “when the government or institutions such as unions decide to intervene and force a change – it always has bad consequences.” He believes government or union interference can negatively impact the economy, businesses, and worker productivity. Instead, he advocates for a free market system where workers can improve their compensation through hard work and bringing more value to their employers. “When the government or the unions try to tell employers what to do and how much to pay – it impacts the economy, impacts businesses and their productivity on one hand, on the other hand, it loosens up and makes workers less productive. Only hard work, self-improvement and ability to bring more value – has an appeal to get better / higher compensation,” he added.
Migalchan also weighed in on the economic implications of union protests in Hollywood. He argues that successful Hollywood writers and directors like Quentin Tarantino, Martin Scorsese, Aaron Sorkin, James Cameron, Woody Allen, and Paul Haggis are not on strike and there is a reason. First, they develop and bring higher and higher value. They are financially educated, wise investors, and constantly improving their craft. There is a big difference between working for someone in the entertainment sector and being in the entertainment business. While he acknowledges that workers want better compensation, he argues that strikes and protests, especially in mass production, have not done much good in the past. One of the protests in the past brought up reality TV. Instead, he suggested that workers focus on improving themselves rather than relying on socialistic methods or union intervention. “What we invest is what we get,” he said.
He advises workers to connect with business owners and worry about the economic crisis and management of the country instead of focusing solely on their paychecks. “Many workers don’t know and can’t understand that employers and business owners have to deal with way more things than they do: investment, property rental, equipment, accounting, sales, marketing, employees, taxes, return of investment, and more,” he said, companies can function without any single employee, but employees cannot function without the business and entrepreneurs who bear all the stress and puts everything together. “Water does not flow under a lying stone. What you sow is what you reap. If someone wants to have a better return, they should invest more,” he shared.
Migalchan also advises thinking about the bigger picture, such as the upcoming AI technologies that may replace human labor, including writing, acting, post production, and the economic crisis facing the country. By bringing more value and building relationships with business owners, workers can secure their future in the industry.
Expounding his views on the issue, Victor Migalchan highlighted the documentary “The Factory” and how it relates to union protests in Hollywood. The film showed how unions and laziness almost destroyed a business that offered jobs to local citizens. “When a business opens, this business is offering conditions that they can afford in order to keep working, develop and grow,” he explained. “Development and growth is a priority for everyone, including all workers and the smallest position. This secures your contract. If the company fails – everyone loses, including the economy.”
Victor Migalchan’s opinions on unions and protests in Hollywood may not be popular with everyone, but they do offer a unique perspective. His emphasis on hard work, self-education, and bringing more value to the table may inspire some workers to look beyond the short-term demands of unions and instead focus on long-term career goals. Additionally, his views highlight how building partnerships based on shared values can lead to greater efficiency and success for everyone.
