Danica Davidson
April 8, 2022 
It’s hitting the anime news world that last year The Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (a.k.a. SAG-AFTRA) put out a statement telling their actors not to work for the Dragon Quest: The Adventure of Dai dub. SAG-AFTRA is a labor union.
In their statement, SAG-AFTRA wrote,
“Please be advised that Ocean Media, the producer of the English-language dubbing series Dragon Quest: Legend of Dai [Dragon Quest: The Adventure of Dai] has refused to execute a basic minimum agreement that is in full force and effect for work with respect to this series. As such, SAG-AFTRA members are hereby instructed to withhold any acting services for this production until further notice. Please note, accepting employment or rendering services on Dragon Quest: Legend of Dai may be considered a violation of Global Rule One.
Therefore, all SAG-AFTRA members are hereby informed that no member may accept work or appear on the above production. Violating this order may result in disciplinary action in accordance with the SAG-AFTRA Constitution.”
Elsewhere on their site, they explain:
“Global Rule One states: No member shall render any services or make an agreement to perform services for any employer who has not executed a basic minimum agreement with the union, which is in full force and effect, in any jurisdiction in which there is a SAG-AFTRA national collective bargaining agreement in place. This provision applies worldwide.
Simply put, a SAG-AFTRA member must always work under a union contract around the globe.”
English dub actors typically do not get the same payment or treatment as other voice-over actors.
“Employers are conditioned to believe that any actor who asks for too much can easily be replaced with someone else,” voice actor Kyle McCarley remarked in a recent interview about union anime dubs. “But when we have the support of all our peers, we can stand firm on certain minimum requirements without fear of being replaced.”
Source: ANN
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Danica Davidson is the author of the bestselling Manga Art for Beginners with artist Melanie Westin. She is also the author of its upcoming sequel, Manga Art for Everyone, and the first-of-its-kind manga chalk book Chalk Art Manga, both illustrated by professional Japanese mangaka Rena Saiya. Check out her other comics and books at www.danicadavidson.com.
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