State of the Unions

The attack on Nicktoons by Motion Picture Screen Cartoonists President Tom Sito was based on blatant misrepresentations (Letters, Nov. 7).

Regarding his charge that studios working for Nickelodeon cut corners and cost American jobs by sending production work overseas, Sito ignores the fact that every cartoon series produced for TV is animated out of the country. He knows this too well--it was his union, with its prehistoric work rules and a series of foolhardy strikes, that greased the skids under local animators.

As for Nickelodeon shows being created by underpaid and exploited students and “immigrants,” he is again talking through his hat. I have never worked at a studio with a more talented and professional crew than we have on “Rugrats”; we’re paid well, we have great benefits, and we resist the union of our own free will.

More important, the effort Nick goes to in fostering new, fresh directions in animation allows us to push ourselves and our art, to truly enjoy what we do and to create a product that our young audience genuinely loves rather than simply consumes.

NORTON VIRGIEN

Pacific Palisades

Virgien is a director at Klasky Csupo in Hollywood, which produces “Rugrats” for Nickelodeon.

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Thank you for publishing the letter of fellow makeup artist and union member Michael F. Blake regarding non-union, inexperienced makeup crews employed in films like “Gettysburg” (Nov. 7).

Any accomplished, skilled artist invited to work on a project should insist on a fair and reasonable budget, so as to enhance and display their talent and craft. My advice to artists and craftspeople: If the company doesn’t cough up with the cash, pass. Don’t cut off your nose to spite your face.

SUGANO KENT

Los Angeles