In a recent NY Wire article that sparked intense debate and generated a plethora of comments and direct messages, renowned film director Victor Migalchan delved into the union protests and strikes that have taken hold of Hollywood. While acknowledging the protesters’ right to voice their concerns, Migalchan questioned the efficacy of such actions in light of the economic situation and offered an alternative perspective on how employees can navigate their careers. Our team decided to contact Victor Migalchan for more information on this matter.
Migalchan began by emphasizing the importance of recognizing the distinction between being a business owner, self-employed in the entertainment business, and being an employee. He argued that those who have chosen to protest due to financial difficulties, such as struggling to pay rent after being in the industry for over a decade, may not have truly been in business or may have neglected the financial opportunities available to them. Rather than relying solely on raising their voices, Migalchan advocated for constructive work and personal growth, which means continuous improvement of one’s own career. “The voice, in order to bring results, must have a constructive plan for both businesses and employees. The wish to share more income of the company shall come at the same time with the wish to share risks, losses, and debts,” said Victor Migalchan.
“It is okay to think that you deserve better – but work for it, not just say it out loud. Everything must be backed up, at least by common sense, market values, and accomplishments,” Migalchan stated. He expressed concern about a prevailing societal trend of valuing opinions over hard work and accomplishments, drawing a parallel with the culture of everyone receiving a medal in a competition, irrespective of their performance. Migalchan emphasized the importance of competition in building character and resilience, urging individuals to invest their time and efforts into personal development rather than engaging in unproductive protests.
Highlighting a perceived inconsistency, Migalchan pointed out that while the protesters target their employers for better pay, they neglect to address larger economic issues such as governmental mismanagement, overspending, taxes, and inflation that are plaguing cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York. “Unions and their members could help address local and federal governments about their mismanagement, such as inflation, criminal situation, homeless, immigration situations, and the like,” he said as he calls for unity and collective action to address these problems.
He also argued that these factors indirectly affect employees’ salaries more, as rising rent and inflation make each paycheck smaller. “I don’t recall seeing anyone protesting against huge infusion of free money during the pandemic. Now we face the consequences and act against the wrong party,” he added. Migalchan questioned why there is a lack of protests against such issues and suggested that individuals should direct their focus towards fixing systemic problems rather than targeting their employers.
When asked about the specific demands of the Hollywood union protesters, Migalchan highlighted their desire for higher payment, particularly during times of economic recession. While acknowledging their right to protest, Migalchan reiterated his belief that it would be more beneficial for individuals to invest their time in work, reprogramming, rebuilding, and improving their own careers rather than antagonizing their employers who already bear the risks and provide employment during challenging economic times. “It’s better to take the issue under your own control. Bring your team, manager, agent, and lawyer and have a mutually beneficial, constructive, and respectful dialogue with the employer,” said Victor Migalchan.
In terms of addressing the issues faced by union members, Migalchan proposed that unions could offer educational training in finance, wealth management, and investment. By equipping their members with a deeper understanding of the market and the tools necessary for financial independence, unions can empower individuals to navigate their careers more effectively. Migalchan cited successful figures like Arnold Schwarzenegger or Robert Kiosaki, who achieved financial prosperity through real estate investments, as examples to learn from.
Migalchan stressed the importance of productive work in improving the overall well-being of communities and urged individuals to set aside ego-driven actions and illusions to focus on effecting meaningful change together.
“We are living during very interesting yet turbulent times; we are blessed to live in the United States of America – having safe sky and a land of opportunities. It is a country for growth and development. It is time to team up and change from user mode into a team mode. We are facing new developments such as AI, for instance. AI will easily take lots of jobs in mass production, including writing and post-production. It is economically beneficial for the companies. Therefore, it is important that we sit down all together and analyze how to pivot and adjust considering all the circumstances and of course with care to our great country, its environment and economy,” added Migalchan.
In a world where voices are often amplified on social media platforms, Victor Migalchan’s candid perspectives offer an alternative viewpoint on the union protests and the economic situation in Hollywood. As the debate surrounding these issues continues, the challenge remains for individuals to find constructive solutions that address the concerns of workers while fostering a thriving industry and resilient economy.