For independent filmmakers, at least when you are starting out, unions won't be much of a concern for you. You will normally hire your crew and actors from non-union members. Once you have made a couple of films and have started to make some money though, you will find you will need to make the transition to hiring union workers.
There are many unions affiliated with this industry including local ones. Here is a short list of a few you may encounter when embarking on your filmmaking career.
ACTRA
A Canadian based union, ACTRA specializes in television, film and radio performers as well as background performers, stunt performers, dancers, voice over artists and puppeteers. The letters stand for the Alliance of Canadian Cinema and Radio Artists. This union is a sister union to the one in the United States.
Founded in 1943, this unions works to promote its members as well as protect them while they are on the job. As with any union, they negotiate wages, medical and dental benefits as well as retirement benefits for one particular branch.
Much like the Academy Awards, ACTRA hosts an annual event to honor its members.
In order to gain membership with ACTRA an actor has to have had a speaking role in a film or TV production. This does not include Background performers as they usually don't speak in their roles. There are membership dues of $75 a year, plus a $75 initiation fee.
AFTRA
This union is based solely in the United States. Just as ACTRA does, it negotiates wages, working conditions and benefits for its members.
This union represents Actors, Journalists, and any artist working in the media and entertainment industry.
This union is one of the oldest in the United States as it was started in 1930. In 1937, it began including radio artists and has evolved to include negotiations with SAG or the Screen Actors Guild.
CFTPA
This union represents multimedia and television companies and negotiates trade, taxation, copyrights, labor agreements and broadcasting and film. It is a Canadian union and its letters stand for the Canadian Film and Television Production Association.
This union also trains young people about the industry and how to compete in it. This union is mostly for independent producers and production companies.
Directors Guild of America/Canada
This union specializes in representing Directors, Assistant Directors, Unit Production Managers, Associate Directors, Stage Managers and Production Associates in both the United States and Canada.
Like with the others, they negotiate wages and working conditions of Directors in Film, Television, Stage, Media, Broadcasting and any form of production.
Founded in 1934 with only 100 Directors at the time, it has evolved into a large worldwide union.
SAG
Screen Actors Guild union is probably one of the most well known of the unions. Founded in 1933, this union has stood up for actors back when the studios held control over contracts of their actors. Helping actors break free of long term contracts that didn't benefit them and making sure they were treated well.
The union was founded because in these times, studios and producers held the actors contracts generally forcing them to work long, unbearable hours. In addition, the actors were also subjected to having their lives including personal ran by these contract holders.
Amazingly, 21 actors working in these unbearable conditions got together to form this union in order to ensure fair working conditions for their fellow actors. To date, this union is one of the oldest and has stood the test of time with a reputation for taking good care of its members.
You must apply for membership, and must have had at least one speaking role.
WGA/WGC
Known as the Writers Guild of America and the Writers Guild Of Canada, these unions represent writers in the film and television industry, media, CD-ROM, movies and news broadcasts.
The negotiating and enforcing of contracts with producers and directors for writers is the main job of this union. It also makes sure its members receive medical and dental benefits as well as residual earnings for all screenwriter members.
They have training programs and resources offered to writers of the union. Novel authors and screenplay writers can have their work registered with the union to protect it from anyone trying to steal it, or take credit for it.
There are thousands of unions available for anyone in the career path of theatre, projectionists, camera operators and post production. The best thing you can do is to do research in order to find the best union for you and your career.
There are many unions affiliated with this industry including local ones. Here is a short list of a few you may encounter when embarking on your filmmaking career.
ACTRA
A Canadian based union, ACTRA specializes in television, film and radio performers as well as background performers, stunt performers, dancers, voice over artists and puppeteers. The letters stand for the Alliance of Canadian Cinema and Radio Artists. This union is a sister union to the one in the United States.
Founded in 1943, this unions works to promote its members as well as protect them while they are on the job. As with any union, they negotiate wages, medical and dental benefits as well as retirement benefits for one particular branch.
Much like the Academy Awards, ACTRA hosts an annual event to honor its members.
In order to gain membership with ACTRA an actor has to have had a speaking role in a film or TV production. This does not include Background performers as they usually don't speak in their roles. There are membership dues of $75 a year, plus a $75 initiation fee.
AFTRA
This union is based solely in the United States. Just as ACTRA does, it negotiates wages, working conditions and benefits for its members.
This union represents Actors, Journalists, and any artist working in the media and entertainment industry.
This union is one of the oldest in the United States as it was started in 1930. In 1937, it began including radio artists and has evolved to include negotiations with SAG or the Screen Actors Guild.
CFTPA
This union represents multimedia and television companies and negotiates trade, taxation, copyrights, labor agreements and broadcasting and film. It is a Canadian union and its letters stand for the Canadian Film and Television Production Association.
This union also trains young people about the industry and how to compete in it. This union is mostly for independent producers and production companies.
Directors Guild of America/Canada
This union specializes in representing Directors, Assistant Directors, Unit Production Managers, Associate Directors, Stage Managers and Production Associates in both the United States and Canada.
Like with the others, they negotiate wages and working conditions of Directors in Film, Television, Stage, Media, Broadcasting and any form of production.
Founded in 1934 with only 100 Directors at the time, it has evolved into a large worldwide union.
SAG
Screen Actors Guild union is probably one of the most well known of the unions. Founded in 1933, this union has stood up for actors back when the studios held control over contracts of their actors. Helping actors break free of long term contracts that didn't benefit them and making sure they were treated well.
The union was founded because in these times, studios and producers held the actors contracts generally forcing them to work long, unbearable hours. In addition, the actors were also subjected to having their lives including personal ran by these contract holders.
Amazingly, 21 actors working in these unbearable conditions got together to form this union in order to ensure fair working conditions for their fellow actors. To date, this union is one of the oldest and has stood the test of time with a reputation for taking good care of its members.
You must apply for membership, and must have had at least one speaking role.
WGA/WGC
Known as the Writers Guild of America and the Writers Guild Of Canada, these unions represent writers in the film and television industry, media, CD-ROM, movies and news broadcasts.
The negotiating and enforcing of contracts with producers and directors for writers is the main job of this union. It also makes sure its members receive medical and dental benefits as well as residual earnings for all screenwriter members.
They have training programs and resources offered to writers of the union. Novel authors and screenplay writers can have their work registered with the union to protect it from anyone trying to steal it, or take credit for it.
There are thousands of unions available for anyone in the career path of theatre, projectionists, camera operators and post production. The best thing you can do is to do research in order to find the best union for you and your career.
About the Author:
An independent filmmaker and reputable writer, Marcy Burlock loves to share her knowledge with others. You can find her articles about Filmmaking Career and Casting a Movie on Clivir.com.
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