Some actors have been born with silver spoons in their mouths, but no actor was ever born with a union card in his hand. If you think it's impossible to get in the unions, we've got some surprises for you. Today, coming up with the initiation fees can be harder than qualifying to join. Stay tuned.
Your main concern as an actor will be to get into AFTRA, SAG, and Equity.
THE AMERICAN FEDERATION OF TELEVISION AND RADIO ARTISTS (AFTRA)
Its jurisdiction is over actors involved in live and taped television shows and commercials, and other TV and radio performers (announcers, disc jockeys and so on; Johnny Carson and Dan Rather are members of AFTRA).
THE SCREEN ACTORS GUILD (SAG)
Actors appearing in motion pictures - whether for use in theatres or on TV - and filmed commercials.
SAG and AFTRA are separate unions, but they now jointly negotiate with producers regarding commercials. All rules (what you're paid, the shoot, residuals, etc.) are the same regardless of whether the commercial is under AFTRA or SAG jurisdiction.
ACTORS EQUITY ASSOCIATION (AEA), CALLED "EQUITY"
Actors and stage managers in live theatre.
However, before we talk about membership...
A CAUTION ABOUT JOINING ANY UNION
If you need more experience, and/or want to do community theatre, avoid joining any union. Once you do, you may no longer do any nonunion (community) theatre. All three unions have reciprocal agreements on this.
Exceptions are occasionally granted, but more often union members get around this rule by doing community theatre under phony names. Others, living in North Booneyville, just ignore it because they're outside of major centers like New York or Los Angeles. But any union member doing non-union theatre is subject to a stiff fine the first time he's caught and can even be tossed out of the union(s) if he's caught again. That means bye-bye to his career.
In short, join a union and they'll think of you as a pro. If you're not at that level, avoid the unions and get experience - doing community theatre.
A WORD ABOUT INITIATION FEES, DUES AND THE JOINING RULES
The fees can vary depending on the union and where you join. Dues for all increase as your income increases. Also, the rules for getting in any or all of these unions can change. Remember, we wrote this in the morning. You're reading it in the afternoon. Check before you do anything.
THE ONE WAY INTO AFTRA
Got the money? You can join. Anyone can at any time. AFTRA has an "open-door" policy. Obtain an application form from your nearest branch, fill it out, and plunk down the initiation fee and dues in cash, certified check or money order.
It's that simple - for now. However, there's a movement towards merging with SAG which is getting closer with every sunrise. "I think," says Mark Locher, public relations director of SAG, "That SAG and AFTRA will probably merge within five years." If so, AFTRA will probably adopt some SAG rules regarding entry. Getting in won't be as easy.
THE MANY WAYS INTO SAG
At the Hollywood branch (other branches may vary), send a copy of the contract that makes you eligible (see below). They'll check to be sure it qualifies you to join, then schedule an appointment. Bring your initiation fee plus a semi-annual dues payment.
Contrary to myth, there are many "side door" entrances to the Screen Actors Guild, some of which may surprise even experienced old-timers. Again, stay tuned.
Like AFTRA, AGVA has an open door policy. Just obtain an application, fill it in, plunk down the coin and you're in. Then get the job. How? If you can get anyone to hire you as a singer, dancer, stand-up comic, etc. - repeat, anyone, from a nightclub owner to the president of your local Moose or Elks Lodge to your next-door neighbor who hires you, say, to sing at his birthday party - and he's willing to sign an AGVA contract, then call, write or go down to your nearest AGVA Office.
You and he will sign the contract, and, after you warble "Happy Birthday to You" in C minor, your employer/birthday boy should pay you by check.
Photocopy the check, attach it to your contract, put them both in a vault guarded by Dirty Harry, wait a year from the date you joined AGVA, and, yes, you're eligible to join SAG.
THE SEVERAL WAYS INTO EQUITY
The Fast Way In:
A producer hires you as an actor or stage manager to appear in or work on an Equity show. Bring your contract, along with your initiation fee and dues, to your nearest Equity branch, and you're in. Notice we said this was the "fast" way, not the "easy" way.
The Slow Way In: Parenting:
Like SAG, Equity now permits joining from other affiliated unions. As it stands now, you can also parent your way into Equity.
The time criterion is the same (paid-up member of your parent for one year). The work criterion: one principal role, one "under five" (AFTRA) or three days of extra contracts. (If your parent is AFTRA or AGVA you'll also need to provide written proof - a copy of a contract or letter from your parent.)
Also, unlike SAG, Equity permits joining from the Screen Extras Guild (SEG). You'll need proof of three days extra work or a letter from SEG.
And the REALLY Slow Way In: The Equity Membership Candidate Program
If you're a member of SAG or a working member of AFTRA, you're ineligible to join this program. (Exceptions have been granted, but since you can parent your way into Equity, why bother?)
Obtain a list from Equity of theatres participating in this program. Then go job hunting. Once accepted by a participating theatre, send a completed registration form to Equity. You'll work as an actor, understudy, even a production worker, depending on that particular theatre. Complete 50 weeks of this kind of work and you'll be eligible to join Equity.
Your 50 weeks don't have to be consecutive and can be spent at any number of participating theatres over any length of time. Just keep a record and notify Equity when you reach your goal. Also, you can reduce the number of weeks to 40 if you pass a written exam about AEA.
ANOTHER WORD ABOUT YOUR DUES
Keep your dues up to date. Casting directors notify the unions when they want to cast you. If you're in arrears, that's hassle. So what happens? Bruce Beautiful gets the part.
