Joining a performer's union, such as

sag/aftra

or

actor's equity association,

is a pivotal decision for any actor.

It's really like a marriage.

While union membership offers valuable

benefits,

it also comes with challenges and

commitments that may not suit everyone

at every stage of their career.

Here's an in depth analysis of the

pros, cons and considerations

regarding when and why an actor should

make this decision.

It's all happening right now on this

episode of casting actors guesting

just what

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Watch you

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We're going to kick off the show right

after this.

Well, hello, and welcome to today's

episode of casting actors.

Cass.

I'm Jeffrey Dreisbach.

I'm a casting partner with the

McCorkle group in New York.

Welcome aboard.

So glad that you are here.

I'm looking forward to sharing this

episode with you today.

And this is that moment where I simply

want to say thank you.

We are simulcasting these on YouTube as

well.

So if you haven't checked out the

YouTube channel, you can do that by

watching me do these podcasts,

sort of a live situation.

So that might be useful.

A lot of folks have told me it's

helpful to see me talking about this

stuff, rather than just listening to

me.

I don't know whatever your choice is,

I'm just really, really glad that

you're here.

I also want to just share with you that

there's a website.

It's casting actors cast all one word.

Dot com there's all kinds of stuff on

the website there's a form that says,

dive into the talent pool.

Filling that out opens up some free

bees for you.

A book I'm doing voice over work, a

free video also on the website, my new

book, jeff's jots, the actor's career

playbook is available as well.

And jeff's jot's the blog, where you

can correspond any of the episodes to

the blog.

You can download, you can print out to

follow along on any of these episodes,

all of this design to help you feel

more comfortable and confident.

Joining the acting profession,

we talk about everything from acting

skills to the business side of the

business.

And I hope that you've been enjoying

these so far.

If you're just new, I'm so glad that

you're here.

Gosh there's plenty of archives to

check out at the website.

As well, all right, let's jump in.

Let's talk about the prose and the cons

and really have a discussion about

whether you should join the union.

And so as you listen to some of the

thoughts that I have today, I think

there's value in evaluating where you

are in the scheme of things and seeing

if some of these tips, some of these

thoughts, are going to help reinforce

that decision.

I'm not prejudiced one way or the

other.

Of course, I'm a member of all the

unions, but that doesn't mean I think

that's right for everybody.

So let's first talk about the prose of

joining a performer's union.

Number one,

improved wages and benefits.

Yeah, union contracts

ensure actors, receive fair pay,

including residuals for replays

and streaming

baybo.

Those residuals are really amazing when

they come through.

Members can gain access to health

insurance as well retirement plans and

pension benefits, which oftentimes are

unavailable

in non union work.

Number two,

workplace protections,

you see unions establish clear working

conditions, such as mandatory breaks,

reasonable working hours and safety

standards on the set.

Actors can

gain a recourse

if employers violate contracts or if

they fail to pay wages.

So that does not happen very often in

a, say, after or actress' equity environment.

Number three, access to higher quality

projects.

You must know that many prestigious

productions, studio films, network, TV

shows, Broadway, productions

are all union affiliated

limiting casting

to union members.

Union members only are being seen for

these projects

that's motivation to consider.

Number four, networking in professional

growth.

Membership in the union provides

opportunities to connect with industry

professionals through workshops and

panels and events.

Union events and gatherings

help build relationships with other

actors, with other directors and producers.

Number five,

collective representation.

Union members have a voice in decisions

affecting their profession, including

contract negotiations

and labor strikes.

The union advocates for performers on

broader issues such as pay, equity,

and fair treatment.

So those are some positive things to

think about joining the union.

It sounds pretty exciting, but guess

what?

There are also some downsides.

Here are some cons of joining a

performer's union.

Number one,

limited access to non union work.

You should know that union members are

restricted from working on non union projects

that limits opportunities.

In independent films and some regional

theaters and some lower budget productions.

You see, this can be particularly

challenging for emerging actors seeking

to build their resumes.

To go right into a professional

scenario is sometimes

not that beneficial for the actor.

Number two, cost of membership.

Initial joining fees can be

significant.

For example, sayg, after their

initiation fee is around 3000 dollars,

depending upon the region,

members must also pay annual dues

and a percentage of earnings on union

jobs.

Number three, competitive standards,

joining the union means competing

against highly experienced

professionals for limited roles, which

of course, can feel very intimidating

for actors still building their skills.

That might be a matter of you not

feeling quite ready to jump into that,

oh,

that challenging

arena.

Because without substantial credits or

an established reputation,

union members may not provide immediate

access to auditions,

or they might not be given access to

those opportunities that you think they would.

I have never seen any actor join the

union and get more work.

Let's just put it that way.

Number four there's also this

obligation to follow union Rules, which

might be uncomfortable for some of you.

Union contrast can sometimes limit the

actor's flexibility, such

as restrictions on accepting work under

non standard terms.

Actors may face penalties or expulsion

for violating

any number of union Rules that are out

there that exist.

So I hope that that's helpful, some of

the cons

of union membership.

So now the question that you might be

having is, when should an actor join a union?

Let's take a look.

Number one, established

experience and momentum.

I think actors should consider joining

when they have a solid resume of non

union work and feel ready to compete

for higher profile union projects

that make sense,

almost like you've expired all of those

non union opportunities, and you've got

a nice resume of some really excellent

projects.

That might be an indicator that it's

time to

step into the union spotlight.

Also having an agent or a manager who

can secure union auditions as a really

good indicator that it might be time to

join.

Eligibility for union work

is number two, if an actor is being

offered or consistently auditioning for

union projects,

joining may be necessary to accept

those opportunities,

securing a Taft heartley waiver

or completing the necessary non union

work to qualify.

For example, if you're working in the

background under sag, after Rules

that signals readiness

number three, long term career goals to

join the union.

If an actor aims to work on major

studio productions,

if you want to work on Broadway, or you

want to work on union, high profile

projects, regional theaters, for

example,

union membership aligns with these

goals.

It just simply makes sense.

Conversely,

actors focusing on independent films or

community theater might benefit from

delaying membership.

Another reason to take a look at this

as financial preparedness.

See, joining the union requires up

front costs and ongoing dues, as I mentioned.

So actors should ensure they have the

financial civility to meet these obligations.

Why should an actor wait to join?

Why should an actor wait to join?

I'm going to have that answer

right after this.

Are you wishing for acting success?

Are you ready with audition techniques

for theater, film and television?

Are you ready with proven methods for

growing your talent?

Are you ready to boost your business?

It would help if you had a playbook to

guide you?

Now there's jeff's jots, the actor's

career play book by Geoffrey drysbach

jeff's jots at amazondot com.

Casting actor's cast dot com, available

in paperback, hard cover or e book.

Stop wishing and start doing with

jeff's jobs.

The actor's career play book.

Welcome back.

We're talking about union membership.

One is a good time to join.

Should you join?

What are the strategies behind when to

join?

Why should an actor wait to join?

Here's a couple of explanations.

Here's a couple of reasons to consider.

One,

building a strong foundation.

Non union work allows actors to gain

experience,

build their real and develop confidence

in a less competitive environment.

It really does help that skill set

and level of confidence so that you

will be really ready as a business

decision to join a union.

Regional theater,

student films and indie projects offer

opportunities to practice without the

pressure of competing with seasoned

professionals.

Number two, maintaining flexibility.

Many non union projects

are stepping Stones for actors to hone

their craft.

Joining a union too early can limit

access to these valuable experiences.

Staying non union provides the freedom

to take on a variety of roles

and explore diverse opportunities.

Number three, you can avoid financial

strain.

The cost associated with union

membership can be burdensome for actors

without a steady income from acting,

waiting until financial stability

reduces the risk of membership becoming

a liability,

strategic career training.

Number four,

joining too soon can make it harder to

book jobs.

As union productions may require a

higher level of experience and reputation.

Actors should consider whether they can

secure consistent union work before

making that commitment.

Now here's some practical advice for

actors.

Number one, evaluate

your career trajectory.

Assess your current skills, credits and

industry connections.

Are you consistently booking non union

jobs?

Our union auditions

within reach?

Number two,

plan for financial readiness,

save for the initial fee that the

unions are asking for, and prepare for

ongoing dues to avoid financial stress

once you join

another suggestion.

Number three, simply to seek

professional guidance.

It's really valuable to talk to agents,

managers or other actors in the union

to gain insight about their experiences

and the timing of their decision.

That might be really helpful in you

deciding what you should do.

Test the Waters,

participate in union eligible

background work, or productions to

understand the standards and

expectations

of union projects.

A cautionary note about doing

background work.

There are many people who just simply

enjoy

being an extra

being in the background.

There's nothing wrong with that.

If you enjoy that.

If however, you're looking for a career

trajectory as an actor in the industry,

please do not

feel that you have to be a background

member first before you're an actor.

That's not necessarily the case.

But I've also seen a situation where

actors are listing their background

work on their professional acting

resume.

That is not a good idea.

So just be careful.

I love the idea

of being on a set, so you can see

what's happening, have that experience.

But be careful not to think that that is

part and parcel of being a professional

actor.

That is a separate entity.

But the experience is very valuable.

At the same time, I hope that that

makes sense.

If you have any questions about that,

please get a hold of me by sending me

an email, casting actors cast a, Gmail

dot com, and I can clarify more.

Or if you want some additional

information on an upcoming podcast,

all right, let's move on from there,

focusing on building relationships.

Networking and reputation building are

crucial for a smooth transition into

union work.

Build connections before joining to

ensure opportunities

are available.

I know that's a lot of information

today, but here are some of my final thoughts.

Joining a performer's union is a

definite,

interesting, career milestone.

But guess what?

Timing is everything.

Actors should view union membership as

a strategic step

rather than a goal to achieve as

quickly as possible.

By focusing on skill, building

a gaining experience

and preparing financially,

actors can maximize the benefit of

union membership when they are ready to

take their careers to the next level.

I hope that this has been helpful to

you.

What was your union jury like?

Please let me know.

Let me know where you're at so that I

can be more helpful on future episodes.

Thank you for tuning in.

I'm.

Geoffrey dries back.

You've been watching and listening

casting actors cast so long.

It's been great having you in our

talent pole today.

Your support means the world to us.

So please consider sharing, liking and

reviewing this episode wherever you

jump in.

I'm.

Meg and grace Martinez, thanks

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